When You Disagree

Mary: Wow! Did you see Sarah’s new haircut? I’ve never seen her
with short hair before. It looks great!
Jane: I couldn’t agree more! She looks so sophisticated. Seeing
her makes me want to get my hair cut, too.
Mary: Me, too! Let’s experiment with a comb and mirror to see which
length looks best. Then, we can make appointments for cuts at the beauty parlor on Saturday.
瑪麗：哇！你看到莎拉的新髮型了嗎？
我以前從來沒看過她留短頭髮，
實在很好看！
珍　：我非常贊成！她看起來好成熟。
看著她讓我也想去剪短頭髮呢！
瑪麗：我也是！我們來用梳子和鏡子試
試，看哪個長度最適合，然後我
們就和美容院約個星期六去剪頭髮。
At times a person may not be ready to agree, yet hesitates to disagree strongly.
In this situation, using an indirect approach is more effective. It
usually results in the positive exchange of information and avoids conflict.
It is also more polite than a direct approach.
有的時候，別人可能不很贊同，卻
又猶豫不願意強烈地反對。在這種情況
之下，採用間接的方式會比較有效。如
此通常會帶來一種正面的意見交換，而
又避免衝突。它也比直接的方式更有禮
貌。
ometimes more formal expressions are called for, such as in disagreements
with a supervisor. Close friends can more easily use informal words without
damaging their relationship. Here are some useful phrases to use when you
don't agree.
(Formal) I’m not sure I agree. Are you absolutely sure? I may be wrong, but . . .
(Informal) Oh, I don’t know . . . Yes, but . . . Really?
有的時候正式的表達是需要的，例
如，和你的上司持相反意見時。好朋友
間則較容易用不拘小節的字眼，而不傷
害彼此的關係。這裡有一些很實用的句
子來表達反對。
（正式用語） 我不確定我贊成。
你真的那麼確定嗎？
我可能不對，但是?
（非正式用語） 嗯，我不知道耶?
對啊，但是?
真的嗎？

Hank: I’m really looking forward to the movie on Saturday. It
will be great to see Mel Gibson again. He was so cool in Sleepless in Seattle!
Sharon: Are you sure Mel Gibson was in that one? I thought it was Tom Hanks.
Joan: Me, too. I may be wrong, but wasn’t Mel Gibson the lead in Braveheart?
Hank: Well, maybe you’re right. I have the Sleepless in Seattle video at home. I’ll check.
漢克：我真的很期待星期六要去看的那部
電影。再看到梅爾．吉柏遜一定很
棒！他在「西雅圖夜未眠」裡好酷
喔！
雪倫：你確定梅爾．吉柏遜有演那部電影
嗎？我以為是湯姆．漢克斯。
瓊　：我也這麼想。我可能錯了，不過梅
爾．吉柏遜不是那個主演「英雄本
色」的嗎？
漢克：嗯，可能你們說的對。我家裡有
「西雅圖夜未眠」的錄影帶，我會
再確定一下。

Sometimes you may have strong feelings against an idea or opinion.
Although it is difficult, you can disagree directly if you handle it in the proper
way. Try phrases from the following list to help. It’s usually best to include a
reason for opposing what the other person has said.
(Formal) I’m sorry, but I have to disagree.
I strongly disagree.
I refuse to believe that . . .
(Informal) No, that’s wrong.
You’re dead wrong.
Nope!
有時你可能很強烈地反對一個主張或
意見。雖然直接提出反對意見很困難，但
是如果處理得當，仍然可行。試試看下面
的句子。通常，不贊成時最好能提出不贊
成對方所說的理由。
（正式用語） 我很抱歉，但我必須反對。
我非常不贊成。
我不願意相信?
（非正式用語） 不，那是錯的。
你大錯特錯了。
不對！
With a friend, practice agreeing and disagreeing in the following situations:
1. You and a friend have just come from the art museum. Both of you
agree that the paintings by a new artist are the best you’ve ever seen.
2. You and a friend are going across town to a movie. You want to go by
bus, but your friend insists that a taxi is best.
3. You are planning a vacation with your husband (or wife). You want to
go to the beach, but your spouse wants to go to the mountains.
和朋友練習在下列情況下，表達相
同或不同的意見：
1. 你和一位朋友剛從美術館裡出來。你
們都認為一位新出道畫家的畫，是你
們看過最好的作品。
2. 你和一位朋友要到城的另一頭看電
影。你想搭公車，可是你的朋友堅持
搭計程車。
3. 你正計畫和先生(或太太)共度假期。你
想要去海邊，可是你的配偶想去山上。

 

 

@word bank
sophisticated (adj)
成熟的；老練的
beauty parlor (n phr)
美容院
hesitate (v)
猶豫；躊躇
approach (n)
方法；步驟
conflict (n)
爭執；意見抵觸

absolutely (adv)
完全地；肯定地

oppose (v)
反對

insist (v)
堅持
spouse (n)
配偶

@The Day's Phrase
Discover why everyone loves this popular food
一探大家喜愛這種熱門食物

If you aren't careful, the car salesman will pull the wool over your eyes and sell you a worthless car.
你若不小心，那汽車銷售員就會誆哄你賣給你一台沒啥價值的車。

In the middle of all of the craziness, I turn to my husband because he is a strong tower for me.
在狂亂當中，我向我的丈夫求助，因為他是我有力的支柱。

This island paradise is Italy's hidden treasure
這處島嶼天堂是義大利的隱密瑰寶

Well, I'm out of work and penniless, but that's the story of my life.
嗯，我沒有工作又身無分文，不過這就是我生活的寫照。

I slept like a log last night. I haven't slept that well for a long time.
我昨晚睡得很熟。我已經好久沒睡那麼好了。

You'd better be careful not to put all your eggs in one basket. Your only plan might not work!
你得小心，別把一切資源都投入在同一個地方。你唯一的計劃未必行得通呢！

If you see these warning signs, maybe it’s time to quit
如果你發現這些警訊，也許就是該辭職的時候了

Our tire has another hole in it. I'd better patch it up.
我們的輪胎還有另一個破洞，我得把它補好。
brown - nose
馬屁精

brown nosing
討好; 奉承