英语听力精选进阶版 14786

Politely refusing 婉言拒绝

Episode¹ 16 - Slimy Limey 油嘴滑舌

Anna and Denise are flapping³ following the call from Mr Lime² asking Anna out to lunch. She wants to say no, but doesn’t want to sound rude.

Her dilemma⁴ is how to turn him down politely. She finally plucks⁵ up the courage to call him, but how does he respond?

What excuse does Anna give Seb Lime for not going to lunch with him?

Anna 以什么理由拒绝了Lime 先生的午餐邀请？

Answer on the last page of the script. 答案在文字稿最后一页。

Language for politely refusing 婉言拒绝他人请求的语言

This week's programme focuses on politely refusing a request to do something.

Phrases from the programme:

Thank you for your offer. But I'm really sorry, I won't be able to.

谢谢你的邀请。不过我真的没法儿去。

I'm afraid it’s against company policy

抱歉，这是公司的规矩，不能违反。

It wouldn't be appropriate.

这个不合适/不恰当。

With regret, I'm going to have to say no.

非常遗憾，我得说不。

English at Work 白领英语 

Episode 16: Slimy Limey 油嘴滑舌 

Politely refusing  婉言拒绝 

·  关于台词的备注: 

请注意这不是广播节目的逐字稿件。本文稿可能没有体现录制、编辑过程中对节目做出的改变。 

Narrator:  大家好。 还记得上次Anna正接到Lime 先生的电话，请她吃午饭。现在Anna正和

Denise 说起这件事儿呢。 

Denise:  ...and before you know it, he'll be asking you to marry him! Trust me Anna, 

this has happened to me dozens of times! 

Anna:  But I thought he was only interested in the lemons! Please promise me you 

won’t mention this to anyone. 

Denise:  OK, I promise. 

Anna:  Oh, shhhh! 

Tom:  Good morning ladies. What's going on? 

Denise:  Mr Lime has asked Anna to lunch! 

Anna:  Please- 

Tom:  And? 

Denise:   And it's not to talk business! I saw him looking at her with big eyes, from 

the moment he first saw her! 

Anna:  Denise! 

Tom:  Old Slimy Limey eh? Lucky Anna! 

Anna:  He's not slimy, it's just- 

Tom:  Don't tell me you said yes? 

Anna:  Well I didn't know what to say. 

Tom:  You didn't? 

Anna:  No, no, I said I was busy and would call back. I wanted to just say no, but 

with everyone complaining that I'm not polite on the phone... I just... I 

didn't know how to say it politely.  

Tom:  Ha ha, alright, I'll tell you what to say. 

Anna:  Hang on, let me write it down... why do all the pens keep disappearing? 

Denise:  Here's one. 

Anna:  Thanks. Okay, I'm listening Tom. 

Tom:  Say: go...  

Anna:   (writing) go... 

Tom:   ...away... Slimy Limey. 

Anna:   Go away Slimy Limey – are you sure? 

Tom:   Of course! 

Denise:  Don't listen to him Anna. This is what you say: 

 Thank you for your offer. But I'm really sorry, I won't be able to. 

   Then explain why, say I'm afraid.. blah blah blah 

Anna:  Blah blah blah? 

Denise:  Say it's against company policy to have non-business lunches with clients. 

Anna:  Meaning?  

Denise:  You're not allowed to if it's not for business. Then say: 

  It wouldn't be appropriate. So, with regret, I'm going to have to say no. 

Anna:  Okay, I think I've got that all down. Thanks. He'll be waiting for my call.  

      (dials number) 

Mr Lime:  Hello, Seb Lime speaking.  

Anna:  Hello Mr Lime. 

Mr Lime:  Anna! Please, call me Seb. So, when can I invite you to lunch? 

Denise:  Thank you for your offer... 

Anna:  Well, thank you for your offer. But I'm really sorry, I won't be able to. 

Mr Lime:  Oh? 

Denise:  I'm afraid... 

Anna:  I'm afraid it's against company policy to have non-business lunches with 

people. 

Mr Lime:  Really? Oh how tedious! 

Denise:  It wouldn't be- 

Anna:  Shhh! 

Mr Lime:  Pardon? 

Anna:  No, not shhh you Mr Slimy I meant shhhh Denise! 

Mr Lime:  Mr Slimy? 

Anna:   Oh no! I mean Mr Limey – Lime – er Seb! You see, it wouldn't be 

appropriate. So, with regret, I'm going to have to say no. 

Mr Lime:  I think I've understood. Goodbye Anna. 

Anna:  Goodbye. 

Narrator:  哎呀，他听起来挺不高兴的。不过除了一个小错误，Anna 的表现倒是很不错。以下是

Anna 回绝午餐邀请用到的一些短语：  

  Thank you for your offer. But I'm really sorry, I won't be able to. 

  意思是：谢谢你的邀请。不过我真的没法儿去。  

   I'm afraid it’s against company policy 

  抱歉，这是公司的规矩，不能违反。 

   It wouldn't be appropriate.  

  这个不合适/不恰当。 

   With regret, I'm going to have to say no. 

  非常遗憾，我得说不。 

     Good job Anna, bad luck Mr Slimy.  

 Anna 做的不错。Mr 油腔滑调可是不走运啊！ 

·  听力挑战 

What excuse does Anna give Seb Lime for not going to lunch with him? 

Anna 以什么理由拒绝了Lime 先生的午餐邀请？ 

Answer: Anna says it's against company policy. 

答案：Anna 说公司政策不允许。 

1 episode   

n.（作品的一段）情节，插曲，系列事件中之一

参考例句：

• The episode was a huge embarrassment for all concerned.这段小插曲令所有有关人员都感到非常尴尬。
• This episode remains sharply engraved on my mind.这段经历至今仍深深地铭刻在我的心中。

2 lime   

n.石灰，酸橙，酸橙树，粘鸟胶，钙；vt.施石灰，涂上粘性物质，沾上粘鸟胶

参考例句：

• Lime exists in many soils.许多土壤中都含有石灰。
• A broad avenue of lime trees led up to a grand entrance with huge oak doors.一条栽有酸橙树的宽阔林阴道通向巨大的橡木门的雄伟入口。

3 flapping   

（使）上下左右移动( flap的现在分词 )； 轻拍； 焦急，焦虑； 振（翅）

参考例句：

• The flag was flapping around in the light wind. 那面旗子在微风中飘动。
• Do stop flapping around, we'll get the job done in time. 大可不必担心，我们会按时完成这项工作的。

4 dilemma   

n.困境，进退两难的局面

参考例句：

• I am on the horns of a dilemma about the matter.这件事使我进退两难。
• He was thrown into a dilemma.他陷入困境。

5 plucks   

勇气，精神( pluck的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• A drowning man plucks at a straw. 一个即将溺死的人连稻草也要拉着。
• The lovely Lo Fo of the western land Plucks mulberry leaves by the waterside. 秦地罗敷女，采桑绿水边。 来自英汉 - 翻译样例 - 文学