新年假期你是不是参加了很多聚会呢?今天就带你盘点一下英语学习过程中,歪果仁常用的聚会有关的英语表达,给你的聚会添点洋气。
说明:下文对话中H=Host,G=Guest
1. 邀请客人
H: Hi, Stella. How’s everything going?
G: Quite good. What about you?
H: Terrific! You see, John and me have just moved to a new house. We are throwing a house-warming party this evening. Would you like to come?
G: Of course I’ll come. I won’t miss it for the world!
H: That’ll be great!
Throw a party就是“举办派对”的意思,house-warming party可以翻译为“暖房派对”,通常在搬进新居后举行。歪果仁非常喜欢party,其名目也很多,最常见的当然是birthday party啦,其他比较有代表性的有bachelor party(单身派对),baby shower(宝宝派对),farewell party(欢送会),potluck party(家庭聚餐会)等等,以及各种特定主题的派对,例如Stella-dear party,就是为亲爱的Stella举办的一个特别的派对。Won’t miss it for the world直译为“宁愿放弃全世界也不会错过你的派对”,可见情比金坚。
2. 询问信息
G: Who else is going to be there?
H: I’m inviting you, my sister, and several friends from work and school.
G: Your sister? She is such a party animal. She parties really hard.
H: Yeah. So you needn’t worry sitting there by yourself.
G: Exactly! I really hate to be a wallflower again. It’s so awkward!
H: Believe me, it won’t happen.
去别人家参加聚会可以事先问一下相关信息,例如有哪些人会参加,需要做何准备等等。对话中使用的party animal特指那些“聚会狂”,逢场必到。而wallflower可译为“壁花”,指那些在社交场合因羞涩而受冷落的人。
3. 抵达会场
G: This is a very nice place. You are such a lucky dog!
H: Glad you like it. Come on in! Can I take your coat?
G: Sure, thanks. Should I take my shoes off?
H: Whatever you prefer. Make yourself at home!
G: Thanks! And meet my date Sherlock Homes!
H: Sherlock as always.
到主人家做客,见面时会有一些寒暄。既然是参加“暖房派对”,可以简单就新房子说几句溢美之词。要注意lucky dog要翻译成“幸运儿”,而不是“幸运狗”。Make yourself at home是主人常说的话,意在让客人不要拘束,像在自己家里一样。Date在此指陪自己参加派对的人,多是男(女)朋友。
4. 聚会交际
G1: May I have this dance?
G2: I’d love to.
G1: You are a good dancer. Are you a professional?
G2: Just one of my hobbies. You see, dancing is part of my life. It always makes me feel pleased and relieved,like the saying goes: When you’re tangled, tango on.
G1: I think I have heard it before. Where does it come from?
G2: Scent of a Woman.
G1: Yeah, that’s it!
派对也是meeting new people的绝佳场所,难免会有人主动来搭讪,聊天或者跳舞。Professional在此做名词,指“专业人士”。When you’re tangled, tango on.这句话出自电影《闻香识女人》,be tangled含义是“陷入困境”,tango即我们熟悉的“探戈”,所以这句话的意思是:即使身处困境,也到跳着舞向前。Beautiful, isn’t it?
5. 会后告别
G: Thanks for everything. What a nice party!
H: Thank you. I'm so glad you could make it.
G: Say hello to your friends for me.
H: Likewise. Take care! See you later!
G: Thanks. Bye!
I'm so glad you could make it含义为“很高兴你能来”,likewise本意是“同样的”,用在此可以解释为“请也代我向你的朋友问好”。