「我一個月領一次薪水。」這句話的英文你會怎麼說?如果你用 I get my salary once a month. 也不是不對,但老外多半不是這麼說。
中文傾向於把句子中的每一個物件統統說出來,語意才會清楚。但在英文,一個被動式就能說完:I get paid once a month.
用「get paid」 這兩個字就足夠說明「領薪水」這件事,形成一種慣用口語。
在英文中,能夠把「動詞和受詞」變成一個被動式的情況還有很多,也都是很道地的說法:
1、他最近升官了。
(X) He's got a higher position recently.
(O) He got promoted recently.
2、控訴人堅稱企業主涉入此案。
(X) The accuser insists that the business owner has involved in this case.
(O) The accuser insists that the business owner is involved.
3、越來越多人喜歡曬太陽。
(X) More and more people like to expose to sunlight.
(O) More and more people like to get tanned.
4、該是開始著手任務的時候了。
(X) It's time to start the task.
(O) It's time to get started.
5、要確認所有會員都收到通知。
(X) Make sure that all the members receive the notice.
(O) Make sure that all the members are informed.
6、我剛做完事情,要下班了。
(X) I just finished my work today. I'm getting off work now.
(O) I'm finished. I'm getting off work now.
7、快點穿衣服,我們要走了。
(X) Put on your clothes. We're leaving in 5 minutes.
(O) Get dressed. We're leaving in 5 minutes.
善用這些被動說法,你就能輕易甩掉中式英文的Bug!
本文經授權轉載自世界公民文化中心(原篇名:「領薪水」要被動一點)
責任編輯/蔡昀暻