Interactive transcript · 235 lines
Hello, everyone.
大家好。
A very warm welcome back to TalkCastSpeaking, the podcast where we make English conversations
热烈欢迎回到 TalkCastSpeaking，我们在这个播客中使英语对话
natural, practical, and fun.
自然、实用且有趣。
I'm your host, Emily, and I have over 15 years of experience helping language learners find their voice.
我是你们的主持人艾米丽，我有超过15年的经验来帮助语言学习者找到他们自己的声音。
Today, we are diving into a topic that almost every working professional has to deal with at some point.
今天，我们要探讨一个几乎每个职场专业人士在某个时候都必须应对的话题。
Yes, we are talking about how to ask for time off, or qinjia in Chinese.
是的，我们正在谈论如何请假，或者用中文说“请假”。
Hi, Emily.
嗨，艾米丽。
Oh, man, just hearing that topic makes my heart beat a little faster.
天哪，光是听到那个话题就让我的心跳稍微加快了一点。
I am so glad we are talking about this today.
我很高兴我们今天能谈论这个。
Welcome to the show, Daniel.
欢迎来到节目，丹尼尔。
Listeners, Daniel is an office worker at a global company, and he's here to represent all of you today.
听众朋友们，丹尼尔是一家跨国公司的上班族，他今天来代表你们所有人。
Daniel, tell us, why does asking for time off make you so nervous?
丹尼尔，告诉我们，为什么请假会让你这么紧张？
Well, Emily, it's just so awkward.
嗯，艾米丽，这实在是太尴尬了。
In English, I never know if I sound too rude, too dramatic, or just completely unprofessional.
在英语中，我永远不知道自己听起来是不是太粗鲁、太夸张，或者完全不专业。
Once, I wanted to take a Friday off, and I sent my manager an email saying, I want to escape tomorrow.
有一次，我想请个周五的假，于是我给经理发了一封电子邮件，说：“我明天想逃跑。”
I thought escape was a funny way to say get away from work, but my manager got really worried and
我以为 escape 是说摆脱工作的有趣方式，但我的经理变得非常担心并且
called me immediately.
立即给我打了电话。
Oh, no.
哦，不。
That is hilarious.
那真是太滑稽了。
But I completely understand why your manager was alarmed.
但我完全理解为什么你的经理会感到惊慌。
Escape makes it sound like you are being held hostage at the office.
Escape 听起来就像你在办公室里被当成了人质一样。
But don't worry.
但别担心。
Today, we are going to fix all of that.
今天，我们要解决所有这些问题。
We'll look at the most common, polite, and natural ways to ask for leave, so you never have to
我们将探讨最常见、礼貌且自然的请假方式，这样你就再也不用
escape again.
再次逃跑了。
Let's start with some basic vocabulary.
让我们从一些基础词汇开始。
Daniel, how do you usually say qingjia in English now, besides escape? Hmm.
丹尼尔，你现在在英语中通常怎么说“请假”，除了 escape 之外？嗯。
I usually say ask a sick leave or ask a vacation.
我通常说 ask a sick leave 或者 ask a vacation。
Is that correct?
那正确吗？
Ah, this is actually the most common mistake Chinese learners make.
啊，这实际上是中国学习者犯下的最常见的错误。
Let's look at this closely.
让我们仔细看看这个。
First, we don't ask a leave.
首先，我们不说 ask a leave。
The word leave here is uncountable, so we don't use a.
这里的单词 leave 是不可数的，所以我们不用 a。
Second, ask needs the preposition for, so you could say ask for leave.
第二，ask 需要介词 for，所以你可以说 ask for leave。
But here's the thing.
但事情是这样的。
Ask for leave sounds very formal, almost like you are in the military.
Ask for leave 听起来非常正式，几乎就像你在军队里一样。
In daily office life, we have much more natural expressions. Really?
在日常办公室生活中，我们有更多自然 的表达。真的吗？
What should we say instead?
我们应该用什么来代替呢？
The most common and natural phrase is take a day off or take some time off.
最常见且自然的短语是 take a day off 或者 take some time off。
Let's say that again.
让我们再说一遍。
Take a day off.
请一天假。
Notice how the words link together.
注意这些单词是如何连读在一起的。
We don't say take a day off.
我们不说 take a day off。
We run them together.
我们把它们连在一起。
Take a day off.
请一天假。
Can you try that, Daniel?
你能尝试一下吗，丹尼尔？
Take a day off.
请一天假。
Take a day off.
请一天假。
Oh, that does sound much smoother. Perfect.
哦，听起来确实流畅得多。完美。
You got it.
你明白了。
Now, what if you wake up in the morning and you are actually sick?
现在，如果你早上醒来发现自己真的生病了呢？
You can't go to work that very day.
你偏偏就在那一天无法去工作。
In English, we have a specific phrasal verb for this.
在英语中 ，我们有一个特定的短语动词来表达这个。
We say call in sick.
我们说致电请假。
For example, I need to call in sick today.
例如，我今天需要请病假。
Ah, call in sick.
啊，打电话请假。
Do I actually have to call my boss on the phone?
我实际上非得给老板打电话不可吗？
Because honestly, texting is so much easier.
因为说实话，发短信要容易得多。
That's a fantastic question, Daniel.
这是一个极好的问题，丹尼尔。
Historically, yes, you had to make a phone call.
历史上来看，是的，你必须打个电话。
But nowadays, call in sick is used as a general term.
但现在，请病假被作为一个通用的术语使用。
It just means notifying your workplace that you are sick and cannot work, whether you do it by
这只是意味着通知你的工作单位你生病了，无法工作，不管你是通过
email, Slack, WeChat, or phone.
电子邮件、Slack、微信还是电话。
So you can say, I'm calling in sick today, even if you just sent an email.
所以你可以说，我今天请病假，甚至在你刚发了一封电子邮件的情况下。
That is a huge relief.
这真是一个巨大的解脱。
So if I want to tell my manager I'm sick today, can I write, I call in sick today because I have a cold.
所以如果我想告诉我的经理我今天生病了，我可以写：‘我今天请病假因为我感冒了’吗？
You are very close.
你已经非常接近了。
But let's tweak the grammar slightly.
但让我们把语法稍微微调一下。
I call in sick sounds like a general habit.
‘I call in sick’听起来像是一个一般的习惯。
Since you are doing it right now, use the present continuous tense.
既然你现在正在这样做，请使用现在进行时态。
I am calling in sick today.
我今天正在请病假。
Or even better, make it polite.
或者更好的是，让它变得礼貌一些。
I'm writing to call in sick today.
我写信是为了今天请假。
Now, building on that, let's talk about polite sentence structures.
现在，在此基础上，我们来谈谈礼貌的句型结构。
This is where we use softeners to make our requests sound respectful. Softeners?
这就是我们使用缓和语来使我们的请求听起来恭敬的地方。缓和语？
Like fabric softeners for clothes? Exactly.
就像衣物面料柔顺剂一样？完全正确。
Just like fabric softeners make your clothes soft, linguistic softeners make your language less
就像衣物柔顺剂让你的衣服变软一样，语言缓和剂让你的语言不那么
direct and more polite.
直接且更礼貌。
Instead of saying, I want to take tomorrow off, which sounds like a demand, we use phrases like,
我们不用说‘我想明天请假’，这听起来像是一个要求，而是使用诸如这样的短语，
would it be possible to?
‘……可能吗？’
Or, I was wondering if I could.
或者，‘我想知道我是否可以……’。
Oh, I was wondering if I could.
哦，我想知道我是否可以。
I've heard that before.
我以前听过这个。
It sounds very polite.
听起来非常礼貌。
Why is it in the past tense, was wondering, if I am asking about the future?
如果我是在问关于未来的事情，为什么它是过去时态‘was wondering’呢？
You have a great eye, Daniel.
你真有眼光，丹尼尔。
Yes, we use the past continuous, was wondering, because it distances the request slightly.
是的，我们使用过去进行时‘was wondering’，因为它把请求稍微拉开距离。
It makes it sound less demanding and gives the other person room to say no if they have to.
这听起来不那么苛求，并且如果必须的话，给对方拒绝的空间。
It's a key polite strategy in English.
这是英语中一个关键的礼貌策略。
Let's practice pronouncing this phrase because it can be a bit of a tongue twister.
让我们练习发音这个短语，因为它可能有点像绕口令。
I was wondering if I could.
我想知道我是否可以。
I was wondering if I could. Beautiful.
我想知道我是否可以。太棒了。
Now, let's put it together with our previous vocabulary.
现在，让 我们把它与我们先前的词汇结合起来。
How would you ask for Friday off using this structure?
你将如何使用这个结构请求周五请假？
Let me try.
让我试试。
I was wondering if I could take Friday off.
我想知道我是否可以周五请假。
Spot on.
完全正确。
That is absolutely perfect.
这绝对完美。
It sounds professional and polite.
听起来很专业且礼貌。
Now, let's look at another polite pattern.
现在，让我们看看另一个礼貌的句型。
Would it be possible to take some time off next week?
下周请假是可能的吗？
Notice the pronunciation of would it be.
注意 would it be 的发音。
We pronounce it like would it be.
我们发音得像 would it be 这样。
The D in would links with the I in it.
would 中的 D 和 it 中的 I 进行了连读。
Can you try?
你能试试吗？
Would it be possible to take some time off next week?
下周请几天假可能吗？
You're getting the hang of it.
你慢慢掌握诀窍了。
That sounded incredibly natural.
听起来极其自然。
Now, let's move on to cultural differences.
现在，让我们转向文化差异。
Daniel, when you ask for sick leave, how much detail do you normally give about your sickness?
丹尼尔，当你请病假时，你通常会透露多少病情细节？
Oh, I usually give a lot of detail.
哦，我通常会提供很多细节。
I want my boss to know I'm not lying.
我想让我的老板知道我没有撒谎。
So I might write, I have terrible diarrhea and I've been visiting the bathroom every 10 minutes
所以我可能会写，我患有严重的腹泻，并且每10分钟就要去一次洗手间
since last night.
自从昨晚以来。
Oh, wow.
哦，哇。
That is definitely a classic cross -cultural misunderstanding.
这绝对是一个典型的跨文化误解。
In Western corporate culture, that is what we call TMI.
在西方企业文化中，这就是我们所说的 TMI。
Too much information.
提供太多的信息了。
Your manager really doesn't want to hear about your bathroom habits.
你的经理真的不想听关于你上厕所习惯的事。
It's actually considered more professional to keep the details of your illness private.
事实上，把你的病情细节保密被认为更加专业。
Wait, really?
等等，真的吗？
But if I just say I am sick, won't they think I'm just being lazy?
但如果我只说我生病了，他们难道不会认为我只是在偷懒吗？
Generally, no.
一般来说，不会。
Trust is a big part of the professional environment.
信任是职业环境的重要组成部分。
Instead of graphic medical details, we use a very handy idiom, under the weather.
我们不使用生动的医疗细节，而是用一个非常实用的习语，under the weather。
It means you are feeling slightly unwell.
这意味着你感觉身体有些不适。
It's the perfect phrase because it is polite, professional, and doesn't reveal too much.
这是一个完美的短语，因为它礼貌、专业，而且不会透露太多。
Under the weather?
在天气下面？
That sounds like I'm standing under a rainy cloud.
这听起来就像我站在雨云底下一样。
How do I use it in a sentence?
我该如何在句子中使用它？
You can say, I'm feeling a bit under the weather today.
你可以说，我今天感觉有点不舒服。
It's simple, direct, and very polite.
它很简单、直接且非常礼貌。
Or, if you have a stomach bug or a cold but don't want to specify, you can just say, I'm not feeling
或者，如果你得了胃肠感冒或感冒但又不想具体说明，你可以直接说，我感觉...
well today.
今天不太舒服。
Or, I have a stomach bug.
或者，我得了肠胃病。
That is more than enough.
这就足够了。
No bathroom details required.
不需要提供洗手间的细节。
That is such a relief to know.
知道这一点真是一个巨大的宽慰。
So, I can just say, I'm feeling a bit under the weather today, so I need to call in sick.
所以，我可以说，我今天感觉有点不舒服，所以我需要请病假。
Is that right?
这样对吗？
Absolutely perfect.
绝对完美。
Now, what if you need to take time off not because you are physically sick, but because you have a
现在，如果你需要请假不是因为你身体上生病了，而是因为你有一个
personal issue?
个人问题？
For example, you need to go to the bank, or move apartments, or maybe you just need a mental break.
例如，你需要去银行，或者搬公寓，或者可能你只是需要精神上的休息。
What do we call that kind of leave?
我们把那种假叫什么？
Oh, is it private leave?
哦，是私人假吗？
Ah, private leave is a direct translation from Chinese, but we don't use that in English.
啊，private leave 是来自中文的直译，但我们在英语中不那样用。
Instead, we call it a personal day or personal leave.
相反，我们称之为 personal day 或 personal leave。
And if you want to explain the reason politely without telling your boss all your private business,
并且如果你想礼貌地解释原因，而不用告诉老板你所有的私事，
you can use the phrase to handle a personal matter.
你可以使用这个短语来处理私事。
For instance, I need to take tomorrow off to handle a personal matter.
例如，我明天需要请假去处理一件个人私事。
Oh, to handle a personal matter.
哦，去处理一件个人私事。
That sounds so professional and classy.
听起来非常专业且有品位。
Sounds like I am managing important business.
听起来像我在管理重要的业务。
It really does, doesn't it?
真的是这样，不是吗？
It shows you respect boundaries and are responsible.
这表明你尊重界限并且很有责任感。
Now, let's put everything we've learned today into a comprehensive practice.
现在，让我们把今天学到的所有东西投入到一项综合练习中。
We're going to do a quick role play.
我们将做一个快速的角色扮演。
Imagine I am your manager.
想象我是你的经理。
You need to ask for tomorrow off because you are moving to a new apartment.
你需要请明天的假，因为你要搬到一个新公寓。
Remember to use our softeners, the correct vocabulary, and our polite excuses.
记住使用我们的缓冲语、正确的词汇以及礼貌的借口。
Are you ready, Daniel?
你准备好了吗，丹尼尔？
Okay, let me take a deep breath.
好吧，让我深吸一口气。
Yes, I'm ready.
是的，我准备好了。
Go ahead, Daniel.
请继续吧，丹尼尔。
Knock on my virtual door.
敲敲我的虚拟门。
Hi, Emily.
嗨，艾米莉。
Do you have a minute?
你有一分钟时间吗？
I was wondering if I could take tomorrow off.
我想知道我是否可以请明天的假。
My lease is ending and I need to handle an urgent personal matter at home.
我的租约到期了，我需要在家里处理一件紧急的个人私事。
Oh, Daniel, that was fantastic.
哦，丹尼尔，那太棒了。
You used I was wondering if I could and take tomorrow off and handle a personal matter.
你用了‘我想知道我是否可以’、‘请明天的假’以及‘处理个人事务’。
That was incredibly natural.
那真是极其自然。
Just one tiny grammar correction.
只有一个微小的语法纠正。
Since urgent starts with a vowel sound, we say an urgent personal matter instead of a urgent
由于 urgent 以元音音标开头，我们说 an urgent personal matter 而不是 a urgent
personal matter.
个人事务。
But otherwise, that was a flawless 10 out of 10.
但除此之外，这是一个完美无瑕的 10 分满分。
Thank you, Emily.
谢谢你，艾米莉。
I actually felt confident saying that.
我实际上说这话时感到很自信。
It didn't feel awkward at all.
一点也不觉得尴尬。
You did an amazing job, Daniel.
你干得棒极了，丹尼尔。
You're really getting the hang of it.
你真的开始掌握其中的诀窍了。
Now, let's do one more scenario.
现在，让我们再做一个场景练习。
Imagine you wake up in the morning and you have a terrible headache.
想象你早上醒来，感到糟糕的头痛。
You need to write an email to me, your boss, to call in sick.
你需要写一封邮件给我——你的老板，来请病假。
How would you write that email?
你会怎么写那封邮件？
Okay, let's write this.
好吧，我们来写这个。
Dear Emily, I am writing to call in sick today because I am feeling a bit under the weather.
亲爱的艾米莉，我写信是为了今天请病假，因为我感觉身体有点不舒服。
I will check my emails if I can, but otherwise, I will catch up on my work when I return tomorrow.
如果可以的话我会查看邮件，但否则，我会在明天回来时补上我的工作。
Thank you, Daniel.
谢谢你，丹尼尔。
Wow, Daniel, I am so impressed.
哇，丹尼尔，我印象深刻。
That email is perfect.
那封邮件 完美无缺。
It's polite, professional, and clear.
它很礼貌、专业且清晰。
You used calling in sick and under the weather perfectly.
你把请病假和身体不适运用得完美无缺。
And I love that you added catch up on my work.
我很高兴你添加了赶上我的工作这一句。
That's a great phrasal verb meaning to do the work you missed.
那是一个极好的短语动词，意思是做完你错过的工作。
It shows you are highly responsible.
这表明你高度负责。
Thanks to you, Emily.
多亏了你，艾米莉。
Honestly, these small changes make a huge difference in how confident I feel.
老实说，这些小的改变对我的自信心产生了巨大的影响。
I don't feel like I'm escaping anymore.
我感觉我再也不是在逃避了。
Yes, no more prison breaks from the office.
是的，办公室再也没有监狱大逃亡了。
Well, everyone, our time today is flying by and we are reaching the end of today's episode.
好了，各位，我们今天的时光飞逝，马上就要到今天节目的尾声了。
Let's do a quick recap of the four key points we learned today so you can remember them easily.
让我们快速回顾一下今天学到的四个要点，以便你们能轻松记住。
Can I do the recap, Emily?
我来做这个回顾好吗，艾米丽？
I want to test my memory.
我想测试一下我的记忆力。
I would love that.
我很乐意。
Go for it, Daniel.
上吧，丹尼尔。
All right.
好的。
Today we learned, first, don't say, ask a leave.
今天我们学到，首先，不要说 ask a leave。
Instead, use take a day off or take some time off.
相反，要用 take a day off 或 take some time off。
Second, when you are sick, use call in sick to notify your boss.
第二，当你生病时，用 call in sick 来通知你的老板。
Third, use softeners like I was wondering if I could or would it be possible to to make your request
第三，使用诸如 I was wondering if I could 或 would it be possible to 这样的缓和语来提出请求
super polite.
超级礼貌。
And fourth, don't give too many gross details about your illness.
第四，不要透露太多关于你病情的粗俗细节。
Just say you are feeling under the weather or need to handle a personal matter.
只需说你感到身体不适或需要处理一些个人事务。
That is a perfect summary.
那是一个完美的总结。
Outstanding job, Daniel.
杰出的工作，丹尼尔。
For our listeners at home, my challenge for you this week is to try writing your own practice sick
对于屏幕前的听众，我这周给你们的挑战是尝试写一份你自己的练习病假
leave email in the comments section below.
请假邮件在下面的评论区。
I will personally look at them and give you some feedback.
我会亲自查看并给你们一些反馈。
Don't be shy.
别害羞。
Practicing is the best way to learn.
练习是学习的最好方法。
Yes, please leave your comments.
是的，请留下您的评论。
And if you enjoyed today's episode, please subscribe to Talkcast Speaking, share it with your
如果你喜欢今天的节目，请订阅 Talkcast Speaking，并分享给你的
friends, and consider joining our Talkcast membership for more exclusive learning resources.
朋友们，并考虑加入我们的 Talkcast 会员以获取更多专属学习资源。
Your support keeps us going.
你们的支持让我们坚持下去。
Thank you so much, Daniel.
谢谢你，丹尼尔。
And thank you to all our lovely listeners.
也谢谢我们所有的可爱听众。
Let us know in the comments what topic you want us to cover in the next episode, and we might just
请在评论区告诉我们你们希望在下期节目中探讨什么话题，我们可能就会
pick yours.
挑选你们的。
Until next time, keep practicing, keep speaking, and have a wonderful week ahead.
下次见，继续练习，继续说，祝大家度过一个美妙的周。
Bye -bye.
拜拜。
Goodbye, everyone.
再见，大家。
Bye -bye. Bye.
拜拜。拜。
Thank you.
谢谢你。
