ブライス先生

This is just a quick note about a common mistake among students.

予約 can be translated as “appointment” or “reservation”, but these are most often used for when we are talking about a business meeting or a dentist appointment etc.

When we are talking about meeting our friends, we say “I have plans.”

Examples:

• Do you have plans for dinner?
• Sorry, I already have plans.
• If you don’t have plans, let’s go for a drink.
• I don’t have any plans for the weekend.
• I have plans to meet my friends.

OK?

”可哀そう” is a little tricky in English for many of my students. Most students make the mistake of just saying “poor”. For example, thinking “可哀相”, they might say “Bryce is poor.” However, this actually means “ブライスは貧乏です”.

Using “poor” is OK, but we usually only use it like this;

Poor + 主語

• Poor Bryce! He’s so fat!
• Ayaka’s boyfriend is a nerd. Poor girl!!
• Poor old man!! He looks cold and hungry.

Do you see? We usually only use it with someone’s name, or short description.

But there is another way, using the phrase “I feel sorry for 主語.” Please check out these examples.

• I saw a documentary on families in Africa. Their life is difficult. I feel so sorry for them.
• I feel sorry for the Royal Family, because they have no freedom.
• You are so stupid. I feel sorry for you.

This method is a little more flexible when we want to express 可哀相. Please try it out, when you get the chance.

Hahaha. This is something I have repeated what seems like a million times.
Here are some common phrases I hear from students:

• When will you back to Australia?
• I backed to my home on the weekend.
• I want to back your book

This is really strange English!　これは変な英語ですよ！

Now, for correct English you can easily replace “back” with “return”.

• When will you return to Australia?
• I returned to my home on the weekend.
• I want to return your book

Now, you can also use “back” in these sentences, but you must also use a verb.

• When will you go back to Australia?
• I went back to my home on the weekend.
• I want to give back your book
• Put my dictionary back in the drawer.

「BACK」は動詞ではありません！！

OK?　

日本人に「How are you?」を聞くと、答えがほとんど「I’m fine thank you. And you?」。 ネーティブの中、これは有名な話ですよ。私のイメージは、日本人が目から血が出ていても、かならず「I’m fine thank you. And you?」と言います。 (>.<)



「How are you?」と聞かれたら、別の表現を使ったら？または、本当の気分を言った？



例えば、



Q: How are you feeling?



A: Not so good.　あまり良くない。



or Great!　すごくいい！



or I’m a little hungry.　ちょっとお腹が空いてる。



or I’ve got a headache today.　頭が痛いです。



or I’m sleepy.　眠い。



英語で同じ表現を何回も使う事は本当はそう思ってないと言う意味です。だから、普通な気分を述べるために、別な言葉を習った方が良いと思います。たとえば、「delicious」の代わりに、他のどんな表現と単語が使えますか？