從2000年年初開始,財富中文網增設“商務英語”欄目,本欄目編撰者GregLaskaris為美國加利福尼亞經理人ESL(英語作為第二語言)專家,是國際商務英語培訓機構BusinessTrainingInternational的創始人?,F將“商務英語”最新內容選登如下(欲了解單詞發音及更多雙語內容請登錄:www.fortunechina.com):
WORD-A-DAY:
apparatus設備(名詞)
(noun)Amechanismwithseveralseparatedbutinterconnectedparts,usuallycreatedforaspecificpurpose.(NOTE:pluralformis“apparatuses”)
EXAMPLE:Thechemistryteacherconstructedalargeapparatusofmanyglasstubesandbottlesthatenabledstudentstoconductexperimentsintheirscienceclassroom.
這位化學教師建造了一個由很多玻璃管和瓶子組成的大型設備,供科學教室里的學生做實驗。
apparel服裝(不可數名詞)
(non-countnoun)Clothing,usuallyelegantouterwear.
EXAMPLE:Theexpensivestorecarriesstylishformalapparel.
這家高檔商店提供時尚正裝。
crevice縫隙(名詞)
(noun)Along,naturallyoccurringcrackintherocksurfaceofacliff;afiissure.
EXAMPLE:Theskillfulclimbersmovedfromcrevicetocreviceupthesteepanddangerousmountain.
在陡峭而危險的山上,熟練的攀爬者在山壁縫隙之間上行。
evade逃避(及物動詞)
(transitiveverb)Toconsciouslyavoidanimportantdutyorobligation.
EXAMPLE:Thedishonestbusinessownertriedtoevadetaxesbysecretlychanginghisaccountingrecord.
這位不誠實的企業主偷偷篡改會計紀錄,企圖逃避上稅。
haggard憔悴(形容詞)
(adjective)Describingsomeonewhoisthinduetoextremestressorgrief.
EXAMPLE:Yearsofcaringforhersickhusbandleftmypreviouslybeautifulaunthaggardandexhausted.
多年照顧病重的丈夫讓我從前漂亮的姑媽變得極度憔悴。
impassable無法通行的(形容詞)
(adjective)Describingablockagethatmakestravelimpossible.
EXAMPLE:Thehugeavalanchemadethemountainroadimpassable.
大雪崩讓山路無法通行。
imperturbable鎮靜的(形容詞)
(adjective)Unabletobeexcitedortroubledbycircumstances;innatelyself-controlledbytemperament.
EXAMPLE:Ourimperturbablecompanypresidentisequallycalminperiodsofeithercrisisorsuccess.
我們公司的總裁喜怒不形于色,無論公司面對危機還是成功,他都一臉平靜。
PHRASE-A-DAY:
bottomline1.財務結果;2.歸根到底
1.Thefiinalsumofprofiitorlossinafiinancialrecord.
EXAMPLE:Attheendofeachmonthourbottomlinehasbeendecreasing.
我們的財務結果每個月都在下滑。
2.Theessentialpartinaplan,problem,orserioussituation;thefundamentalresult.
EXAMPLE:Wecanargueaboutthesourcesofourcompany'sfiinancialproblems,butthebottomlineisthatunlesswemakebigchangeswewillhavetoclosebytheendoftheyear.
我們可以爭論公司財務問題的根源在哪里,但歸根到底,我們一定要大改革,不然我們年底就得關門了。
sparechange零錢
Asmall,ofteninsignifiicantamountofextramoney.
EXAMPLE:IalwayscarryalittlesparechangesoIcanbuymychildrenicecream.
我總是帶一些零錢,給孩子買冰淇淋。
tobealwayschasingrainbows無益的追求
Tobeinthehabitoflookingforgoodresultsthatcanneverhappen.(NOTE:rainbowsdisappearasoneapproachesthem)
EXAMPLE:Myimpracticalbrother-in-lawisalwayschasingrainbowsbylookingforquickwayshecangetrich.
我的不切實際的小舅子總想快速致富,追求不可能實現的目標。
tobeupinarmsaboutsomething對某事感到憤怒
Tobeupsetaboutsomething;tobepreparedforafiight.(NOTE:“arms”referstoweaponsinthisusage)
EXAMPLE:Allthetenantsinmyapartmentbuildingareupinarmsbecauseourlandlordunexpectedlydoubledourrent.
我的公寓樓的所有租戶都因為房東意外漲價一倍而感到憤怒。
tobeuptoone'sneckinsomething忙于某事
Expressiondescribingsomeonewhoisextremelybusywithsomething.
EXAMPLE:IcancelledallmyappointmentstodaybecauseIamuptomyneckinreportsthatmustbecompletedbytomorrowmorning.
我取消了今天的所有約會,因為我忙于做報告,明天早上必須完成。
tojumpforjoy驚喜
Tobesuddenlydelighted.
EXAMPLE:MychildrenwilljumpforjoywhenItellthemwe'regoingtothebeachforourvacationthissummer.
如果我告訴孩子們今年夏天去海灘度假,他們一定會感到特別驚喜。