遠山顕の英会話入門 2023年夏号 Dialog 1
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Write It!
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◆ ……と言っています
K: is saying 現在進行形でよろしいですか？
C: Oh, I guess, because when you look at the Japanese, that's what the direct translation is, isn't it?
K: Yeah, exactly.
C: Oh, that's interesting. To me, I think it sounds more natural to just use "says" here.
K: Uh-huh.
C: Because if I hear "is saying" in this context, it'll almost sounds like it's something that's happening now.
C: But not that's the case.
◆ 祖父は彼女に……だと言います
J: We would say, "her grandfather tells her 何々," or "tells her that 何々."
K: Uh-huh.
J: Um... You can say, "says to her," but that's a little unnatural. I think "tells her" is much better.
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C: Oh, yeah.
J: I know they did.
C: Always.
J: Good job.
K: Great.
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Before We Move On!
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K: Would it change the meaning?
J: Yes.
K: That's a good car. That's a nice car.
J: Yeah.
C: Carolyn, would you just tell us what you know about "nice"?
K: I ... I know you know a lot.
C: Where do I start?
K: Yeah. I will give you two hours for that.
C: That's not enough time, Ken.
K: All right.
C: I'll make it short.
K: OK.
C: Actually, you use "nice" when you find something or someone pleasant or kind or friendly, attractive, enjoyable and so on.
K: Oh.
C: That's why we would say "nice car."
J: Right. They are talking about attractiveness.
C: I guess the physical, what it looks like.
J: Right.
J: So, use "good"...
K: Uh-huh.
J: When you find someone or something is of good quality. It can be good ability, honest, morally correct and so on. So, in this case, "good car" would mean in a good quality, strong, well running car.
C: Yeah, like a well-built.
K: Do they overwrap in meaning sometimes?
C: Sure. Sure, they do.
J: Yeah. Uh-huh. When you tell someone to have a good day.
C: Yeah, or have a nice day.
J: Have a nice day. It's the same meaning.
C: Yeah.
K: There you go.
J: Yeah.
K: How about this program? Is this a good program or what?
J: Oh, it's a good program.
K: OK, quality.
J: And a nice program.
C: And it's a nice program that has three nice people on it.
J: Wow.
K: We are blowing our trumpet too much, too much trumpet.
J: Tooting our own horns.
(blowing your own trumpet 自慢話をする)
(tooting your own horn 自慢すること、鼻にかけること)
