Interactive transcript · 254 lines
Hello, hello, everyone.
大家好，大家好。
Welcome back to TalkCastSpeaking, your favorite spot for keeping your English fresh, natural, and alive.
欢迎回到 TalkCastSpeaking，这是你保持英语新鲜、自然和活力的最爱之地。
I'm Emily, your host, and I'm so thrilled to have you here with us today.
我是你们的主持人艾米丽，非常高兴今天你能和我们在一起。
Now, let me ask you a quick question.
现在，让我问你一个简单的小问题。
Have you ever had one of those mornings where your alarm clock simply decides to stay silent, or
你有没有遇到过这样的早晨：你的闹钟偏偏保持安静，或者
maybe the subway suddenly stops in the middle of a tunnel?
也许地铁突然停在了隧道中间？
You look at your watch, your heart sinks, and you realize, oh no, I am going to be late.
你看了看表，心里一沉，然后意识到，噢不，我要迟到了。
We've all been there, right?
我们都经历过这种情况，对吧？
It's stressful, it's awkward, and the hardest part is knowing exactly what to say when you finally arrive.
这很有压力，也很尴尬，最难的部分是知道当你终于到达时到底该说什么。
Well, fear not.
嗯，别怕。
Today we are going to master the art of apologizing for being late.
今天我们要掌握迟到道歉的艺术。
Oh, thank goodness.
噢，谢天谢地。
Hi, Emily.
嗨，艾米丽。
Hi, everyone.
嗨，大家好。
I am so happy to be here, but honestly, just hearing you talk about that makes my heart beat faster.
我很高兴来到这里，但老实说，一听你谈到这个，我的心跳就加快了。
I struggle with this almost every week.
几乎每周我都为这个而苦恼。
Traffic in the city is just crazy.
城里的交通简直太疯狂了。
Ah, Brian, welcome to the show.
啊，布赖恩，欢迎来到节目。
It is great to have you.
有你加入真是太棒了。
And don't worry, you are definitely not alone.
别担心，你绝对不是 一个人。
Brian is a busy office worker who commutes across the city every day, so he knows the struggle firsthand.
布赖恩是一个忙碌的上班族，每天都要穿梭于城市通勤，所以他对此有着切身的体会。
Brian, tell me, what do you usually say when you're running late or when you finally walk into the office?
布赖恩，告诉我，当你快要迟到或者终于走进办公室时，你通常会说什么？
Well, normally I just run through the door sweating and say, sorry I am late.
嗯，通常我只是满头大汗地冲进门说，对不起我迟到了。
The traffic was very busy and my car was broken.
交通很拥堵，而且我的车坏了。
But to be honest, every time I say it, it feels a bit, I don't know, stiff?
但老实说，每次我说这句话时，都觉得有点，怎么说呢，生硬？
And sometimes people look at me funny.
而且有时人们看我的眼光有点古怪。
I love your honesty, Brian.
我喜欢你的诚实，布赖恩。
And you've actually just given us the perfect starting point.
而你实际上刚刚给我们提供了一个完美的切入点。
You made two very common mistakes that English learners often make.
你犯了两个英语学习者经常犯的非常常见的错误。
Let's look at them together.
让我们一起来看看它们。
This is what we call our three -step correction method.
这就是我们所说的三步纠错法。
First, let's look at the mistake.
首先，让我们看看 这个错误。
The traffic was very busy.
交通非常繁忙。
Can you guess why that sounds a bit off to a native speaker? Hmm.
你能猜出为什么这对母语者听起来有点别扭吗？嗯。
Is it because streets aren't actually people?
是因为街道实际上不是人吗？
Like a person is busy because they have a lot of work, but traffic...
就像一个人忙是因为他们有很多工作，但是交通……
Spot on.
完全正确。
You are a natural linguist, Brian. Exactly.
你是个天生的语言学家，布赖恩。完全正确。
In English, we don't say traffic is busy.
在英语中，我们不说交通很忙。
Instead, we describe the density or the quality of the traffic.
相反，我们描述交通的密度或质量。
We say traffic is heavy or bad.
我们说交通很拥堵或糟糕。
So you should say, the traffic was really heavy or the traffic was terrible.
所以你应该说，交通真的很拥堵或者交通糟糕透顶。
Let's try saying that together.
让我们试着一起说说看。
Oh, okay.
哦，好的。
The traffic was really heavy.
交通真的非常拥堵。
Oh, that actually sounds much smoother.
哦，这听起来确实流畅多了。
What about my car?
那关于我的车呢？
I said my car was broken. Right.
我说我的车坏了。对的。
My car was broken makes it sound like your car was permanently damaged or smashed into pieces like a
“我的车坏了”听起来就像你的车被永久损坏了，或者像被砸成了碎片，就像
broken toy.
一个坏了的玩具一样。
If your car suddenly stops working while you are driving, we use the phrasal verb breakdown.
如果你在行驶时汽车突然停止工作，我们使用短语动词 breakdown。
In the past tense, that is broke down.
在过去时态中，那是 broke down。
So you would say, my car broke down.
所以你会说，我的车抛锚了。
Or a very common casual phrase is, I had car trouble.
或者一个非常常见且随意的短语是，我车坏了。
Try that one.
试一下那个。
Oh, I had car trouble.
哦，我遇到了汽车麻烦。
Or my car broke down.
或者我的车抛锚了。
Wow, that makes a big difference.
哇，那有很大区别。
I used to think broken was the only word for things not working.
我以前以为坏了是形容东西不能运作的唯一词汇。
That's the beauty of phrasal verbs and collocations.
这就是短语动词和搭配的精妙之处。
Now, let's take a step back.
现在，让我们退后一步。
Before you even arrive at your meeting or date, if you know you're going to be late, you should send
在你到达会议或约会之前，如果你知道你要迟到了，你应该发送
a message.
一则消息。
This is a huge part of cultural etiquette in English -speaking countries.
这是英语国家文化礼仪的重要部分。
You don't want to wait until you arrive to say something.
你不会想等到到达时才说点什么。
What would you text someone if you are still on the subway but realize you'll be 10 minutes late?
如果你还在地铁上，却发现自己要迟到10分钟，你会给谁发短信？
Hmm, maybe, sorry, I will be late for 10 minutes.
嗯，也许，抱歉，我会迟到10分钟。
Okay, I hear what you're trying to say, and your message would be understood.
好吧，我明白你想说什么，你的信息会被理解的。
But we can make it much more natural.
但我们可以让它更自然。
Instead of saying, I will be late for 10 minutes, native speakers almost always use the phrase,
代替说“我将迟到10分钟”，母语者几乎总是使用这个短语，
running late.
快要迟到。
For example, I'm running about 10 minutes late.
例如，我大概要迟到10分钟。
This phrase, running late, means that you are currently in the process of being delayed.
这个短语 running late 意味着你目前正处于延误的过程中。
It feels active and polite.
感觉很积极且礼貌。
Oh, I'm running about 10 minutes late.
哦，我大约要迟到10分钟。
I don't really like that.
我并不是很喜欢那样。
It sounds like I'm moving as fast as I can, but I'm just delayed.
听起来我已经在尽最大努力移动了，但我只是被延迟了。
Is there a way to explain why I'm delayed in the text?
有没有办法在短信中解释我为什么被延迟了？
Yes, absolutely.
是的，绝对如此。
A very common and natural phrase is, got held up.
一个非常常见且自然的短语是，被耽搁了。
For example, I'm running a bit late.
例如，我稍微有点迟到。
I got held up at work.
我在工作上被耽搁了。
Or, I got held up in traffic.
或者，我在交通上被堵了。
Held up simply means delayed by something outside of your control.
被耽搁简单来说就是被你控制范围之外的事情所延误。
It's incredibly common in daily life.
这在日常生活中是极其常见的。
Oh, I got held up.
哦，我被耽搁了。
That is so useful.
那太有用了。
So let me try to put it together.
所以让我试着把它拼凑在一起。
Hey, I'm running about 15 minutes late.
嘿，我大概要迟到 15 分钟。
I got held up in traffic.
我在交通上被耽搁了。
How was that, Emily? Perfect.
怎么样，艾米丽？完美。
Beautifully done, Brian.
干得漂亮，布莱恩。
You nailed it.
你搞定了。
That sounds incredibly natural and polite.
听起来极其自然且礼貌。
Now let's talk about what happens when you finally arrive.
现在我们来谈谈当你最终到达时会发生什么。
This is where we need to think about the difference between formal situations, like a business
这就是我们需要思考正式场合之间的区别的地方，比如商务
meeting, and casual situations, like meeting a friend for coffee.
会议，以及随意的场合，比如和朋友见面喝咖啡。
Yes, please.
好的，请讲。
I always worry about saying the wrong thing to my boss.
我总是担心对老板说错话。
If I say, I got held up to my boss, is that okay?
如果我对我的老板说我被耽搁了，这样可以吗？
It is okay, but we can definitely step it up a notch for professional situations.
可以，但在职业场合我们可以明显提升一下。
In a professional setting, we want to sound responsible and respectful of other people's time.
在职业环境中，我们希望听起来有责任感并且尊重别人的时间。
Instead of just saying sorry, we often use the word apologize.
我们不只是说抱歉，经常会用道歉这个词。
For example, I apologize for the delay.
例如，我为这次延迟道歉。
It's simple, direct, and very professional.
它很简单、直接且非常专业。
Ah, I apologize for the delay.
啊，我为耽搁道歉。
That sounds very professional.
听起来非常专业。
What if I want to give a reason, but it's personal and I don't want to give too many details to my boss?
如果我想给出一个理由，但这是私人原因，我不想向老板透露太多细节呢？
That is a very common situation.
这是一个非常常见的情况。
In Western business culture, you don't actually need to give a long, detailed story about why you're late.
在西方商业文化中，你其实不需要长篇大论、详细地解释你为什么迟到。
In fact, over -explaining can sometimes sound like you're making excuses.
事实上，过度解释有时听起来像是在找借口。
Instead, you can use this wonderful, vague but polite phrase, something came up.
相反，你可以用这个精彩、模糊但礼貌的短语：“有事情耽搁了”。
For example, I apologize for the delay.
例如，我为延迟道歉。
Something unexpected came up this morning.
今天早上出现了一些意料之外的事。
It shows that it was an urgent matter, but keeps your privacy.
这表明这是一件紧急的事情，但同时保护了你的隐私。
Oh, something came up.
哦，有些事情发生了。
I love that.
我很喜欢那个。
It's like a shield.
这就像一个盾牌。
It stops people from asking too many questions, but still sounds polite.
它能阻止别人问太多问题，但听起来依然很礼貌。
Let me try.
让我试试。
Good morning, everyone.
大家早上好。
I apologize for the delay.
我为延迟道歉。
Something came up this morning. Excellent.
今天早上有事耽搁了。太棒了。
Your pronunciation was great, too.
你的发音也很棒。
Now, let's talk about pronunciation for a second, because it's so important for showing sincerity.
现在，我们来谈谈发音，因为这对于表现出真诚非常重要。
When we say, I apologize, the stress is on the second syllable. Apologize.
当我们说“I apologize”时，重音在第二个音节上。Apologize。
Let's hear you say that, focusing on the rhythm. Apologize.
让我们听听你读的，注意节奏。Apologize。
I apologize. Perfect.
我道歉。完美。
Now let's talk about another very important phrase that works in both formal and casual settings.
现在我们来谈另一个非常重要的短语，它在正式和随意的场合都适用。
When you arrive and someone has been waiting for you, you should acknowledge their patience.
当你到达时，如果有人一直在等你，你应该感谢他们的耐心。
How would you say that? Hmm.
你会怎么说呢？嗯。
Maybe, thank you for waiting me?
也许是，谢谢你等待我？
Ah, close.
啊，差不多。
But we need a preposition there.
但我们在那里需要一个介词。
We say, thank you for waiting for me.
我们说，谢谢你等我。
But even more common is, thank you for your patience, or sorry to keep you waiting.
但更常见的是，“谢谢你的耐心”或者“抱歉让你久等了”。
Let's focus on, sorry to keep you waiting.
让我们聚焦于：“抱歉让你久等了”。
This is a golden phrase.
这是一个黄金短语。
In fast -spoken English, we often link the words together.
在快语速的英语中，我们经常把单词连读在一起。
We don't say, sorry to keep you waiting.
我们不说“sorry to keep you waiting”。
We say, sorry to keep you waiting.
我们说：“sorry to keep you waiting”。
The to sounds like ta, and you sounds like ya.
这里的 to 听起来像 ta，you 听起来像 ya。
Can you try that relaxed pronunciation?
你能试一下那种放松的发音吗？
Oh, let me try.
哦，让我试试。
Sorry to keep you waiting.
抱歉让你久等了。
Wow, that actually feels much easier to say. Right?
哇，这实际上感觉容易说多了。对吧？
It flows so much better.
它流利多了。
Sorry to keep you waiting.
抱歉让你久等了。
It sounds warm and natural.
听起来温暖又自然。
Now let's bring in a bit of cultural flavor.
现在让我们带入一点文化韵味。
Have you ever heard the phrase, fashionably late, Brian?
你听说过“优雅迟到”这个短语吗，布莱恩？
Yes, actually.
是的，实际上。
I saw it in a movie once.
我曾经在一部电影里看到过。
Does it mean it's cool to be late?
这意味着迟到很酷吗？
Yes, but only in very specific situations.
是的，但只在非常特定的情况下。
Fashionably late means arriving slightly late, maybe 15 to 30 minutes, to a social event, like a big
优雅迟到是指稍微迟到一点，比如15到30分钟参加一个社交活动，比如一个盛大的
party or a casual gathering.
派对或随意的聚会。
In those situations, arriving exactly on time might actually make the host feel rushed because they
在那种情况下，准时到达实际上可能会让主人感到匆忙，因为他们
are still preparing.
还在准备。
So being fashionably late is actually considered polite.
所以优雅迟到实际上被认为是礼貌的。
But, and this is a huge but, never, ever use this for a business meeting, a job interview, or a
但是，这是一个极大的但是，千万不要在商务会议、求职面试或
dinner reservation.
晚餐预订中这样用。
For those, punctuality is key.
对于这些场合，守时是关键。
Ah, so if I arrive 15 minutes late to a job interview and say, don't worry, I'm fashionably late, I
啊，所以如果我面试迟到15分钟然后说，别担心，我是优雅迟到，我
probably won't get the job?
很可能就得不到这份工作了？
Definitely not.
绝对不会。
You'd probably be shown the door right away.
你可能马上就会被驱逐出门外。
It's good to know the difference.
了解其中的区别是件好事。
Now, building on this, let's do a little role play to put everything we've learned into practice.
现在，在此基础上，我们做一个角色扮演，把我们学到的一切投入到实践中去。
Are you ready, Brian?
布莱恩，你准备好了吗？
I'm a bit nervous, but let's do it.
我有点紧张，但我们开始吧。
I want to get better at this.
我想在这方面做得更好。
Don't be nervous.
别紧张。
You're doing great.
你做得很棒。
Okay, scenario one.
好的，场景一。
You are meeting me, your close friend, at a coffee shop.
你在咖啡馆会见我，你的好朋友。
You got stuck on the subway.
你在地铁上被困住了。
You are 15 minutes late.
你迟到了15分钟。
First, send me a text while you are on your way.
首先，在你来的路上发短信给我。
Okay, texting.
好的，发短信。
Hey, Emily, I'm really sorry, but I'm running about 15 minutes late.
嘿，埃米莉，我真的很抱歉，但我大概要晚15分钟左右。
The subway's delayed.
地铁延误了。
See you soon. Brilliant.
一会儿见。太棒了。
That text is perfect.
那条短信完美。
Now, you've just arrived at the coffee shop.
现在，你刚到达咖啡馆。
I'm sitting at the table.
我正坐在桌子旁。
What do you say when you walk up to me?
当你走向我时，你会说什么？
Hey, Emily, I am so sorry to keep you waiting.
嘿，埃米莉，非常抱歉让你久等了。
The subway was a total mess today.
今天地铁彻底乱套了。
And I would say, oh, don't worry about it at all.
然后我会说，哦，完全不用担心。
You made it.
你成功了。
That's the main thing.
这才是主要的事情。
What do you want to drink?
你想喝点什么？
See how natural and stress -free that was?
看看那是多么自然且毫无压力？
You acknowledged my time, apologized naturally, and we moved on immediately.
你承认了我的时间，自然地道了歉，我们立刻继续了。
Wow, yeah, that felt really good.
哇，是的，那感觉真的很好。
It didn't feel stiff or awkward at all. Exactly.
感觉一点也不生硬或尴尬。完全正确。
Now, let's try scenario two.
现在，我们来试试场景二。
This one is formal.
这个是正式的。
You are late for a project meeting with your boss, played by me, and a client.
你开一个项目会议迟到了，与你的老板（由我扮演）以及一个客户。
You are 10 minutes late because you had car trouble.
你迟到了 10 分钟，因为你的车出了点毛病。
You walk into the meeting room.
你走进了会议室。
What do you say? Okay.
你会说什么？好的。
Deep breath.
深吸一口气。
Walking in.
走进去。
Good morning, everyone.
大家早上好。
I apologize for the delay.
我为此次延误深表歉意。
I had some car trouble this morning.
我今天早上车出了一点故障。
Thank you for your patience.
感谢您的耐心等待。
Oh, Brian, that was absolutely flawless.
哦，布莱恩，那真是无可挑剔的完美。
Seriously, 10 out of 10.
说真的，给满分 10 分。
You used apologize for the delay.
你使用了 apologize for the delay。
You explained the reason simply with car trouble.
你用 car trouble 简单地解释了原因。
And you thanked everyone for their patience.
并且你感谢了大家的耐心。
It sounded extremely professional and sincere.
听起来极其专业且真诚。
How did that feel?
那个感觉怎么样？
Honestly, it felt amazing.
老实说，感觉棒极了。
It was so much better than saying my car was broken.
这比说我的车坏了要好得多。
I felt like I was in control of the situation, even though I was late.
我觉得自己掌控了局面，尽管我迟到了。
And that is the power of using the right language, Brian.
布莱恩，这就是使用正确语言的力量。
You were getting the hang of it so quickly.
你上手得如此快。
I'm incredibly proud of you.
我为你感到无比骄傲。
Thank you so much, Emily.
非常感谢你，艾米丽。
This has been incredibly helpful.
这真的非常有帮助。
I feel so much more confident now.
我现在感觉自信多了。
You should be.
你理应如此。
Now, before we wrap up today's episode, let's do a quick recap of the core points we learned today
现在，在我们结束今天的节目之前，让我们对今天所学的核心要点做一个快速的回顾
so our listeners can lock them into their memory.
这样我们的听众就能把它们牢记在心中。
Today we learned, first, never say traffic is busy.
今天我们学到，首先，永远不要说交通很忙。
Always say traffic is heavy or traffic is bad.
总是说交通很拥挤或很糟糕。
Second, when your car stops working, say, my car broke down or I had car trouble.
第二，当你的汽车停止运转时，可以说，我的车抛锚了或者我的车出了故障。
Third, when you are on your way but running behind, use, I'm running late or I got held up.
第三，当你在路上但有些落后时，使用，我快迟到了或者我被耽误了。
Fourth, for professional settings, use, I apologize for the delay and thank you for your patience.
第四，对于专业场合，使用，I apologize for the delay 和 thank you for your patience。
And fifth, for casual hangouts, use that beautiful linked phrase, sorry to keep you waiting.
第五，对于休闲聚会，使用那个优美的连读短语，sorry to keep you waiting。
To all our listeners out there, here is a small challenge for you this week.
对于所有收听节目的听众，本周给你们一个小挑战。
The next time you are even just two minutes late, try using one of these phrases.
下一次哪怕你仅仅迟到了两分钟，也尝试使用这些短语中的一个。
Practice makes permanent.
熟能生巧（练习成就永恒）。
Yes, try it.
是的，尝试一下。
It really works and makes you feel so much better.
它真的很管用，能让你感觉好得多。
It really does.
确实如此。
Thank you so much for joining us today, Brian.
非常感谢你今天能加入我们，布莱恩。
You are a fantastic guest.
你是一位极好的嘉宾。
And to our wonderful listeners, thank you for tuning in to TalkCast Speaking.
对于我们精彩的听众，感谢你们收听 TalkCast Speaking。
If you loved today's episode, please consider joining our TalkCast member community, subscribing to
如果你喜欢今天的节目，请考虑加入我们的 TalkCast 会员社区，订阅我们的
our channel, and sharing this episode with your friends.
我们的频道，并把这期节目分享给你的朋友们。
We survive and grow because of your incredible support.
我们能够生存并成长，全靠你们难以置信的支持。
Now, we want to hear from you.
现在，我们想听听你的声音。
What is your go -to excuse when you're late?
当你迟到时，你惯用的借口是什么？
Or what oral English topic would you like us to cover in our next episode?
或者你希望我们在下一期节目中探讨什么英语口语话题？
Leave us a comment below and we might just feature your suggestion next week.
在下方给我们留言，我们下周兴许就会采纳你的建议。
Until next time, keep practicing, keep smiling, and we'll see you in the next episode.
直到下一次，继续练习，保持微笑，我们在下一集再见。
Bye -bye.
再见。
Goodbye, everyone.
再见，大家。
Thanks, Emily. 笑
谢谢，埃米莉。笑
