中文語感人的英語學習本

I have got a lot to do today, so could you make a long story short?

新版文章網址： https://english.arthurtoday.com/2025/06/how-to-say-keep-it-brief-politely.html

常見的生活化、口語化的說法

1. I have a lot on my plate today, can you be brief?
   (我今天事情很多，你可以長話短說嗎？)

2. "I'm swamped today. Can you cut to the chase?"
   (我今天很忙。你可以直接說重點嗎？)

3. "I'm super busy. Can we make this quick?"
   (我超級忙。我們能夠快點說嗎？)

4. "I've got a ton on my plate. Mind keeping it short?"
   (我有很多事要做。介意簡短一點嗎？)

5. "I'm in a rush. Can you give me the short version?"
   (我很趕時間。你能夠給我簡短版本嗎？)

6. I have got a lot to do today, so could you make a long story short?
   (我今天有很多事要做，你可以長話短說嗎？)

常見的客氣、有禮貌的說法

1. "I'm afraid I have a packed schedule today. Would you mind being brief?"
   (恐怕我今天行程很滿。您介意簡短一點嗎？)
   這裡的 "I'm afraid" 和台灣習慣用「不好意思，(我)...」 開頭的用法有相同意思。

2. "I apologize, but I'm quite pressed for time. Could we get straight to the point?"
   (我很抱歉，但我時間很緊迫。我們可以直接說重點嗎？)

3. "Due to my tight schedule today, I'd appreciate it if we could keep this concise."
   (由於我今天行程緊湊，如果我們能夠盡量簡潔，我將感激不盡!)

4. "I have several commitments today. Would it be possible to summarize the main points?"
   (我今天已經有很多的安排，是否方便總結一下重點？)

中文學習者容易犯的錯誤

1. 錯誤 : "I am very busy today, can you say shorter?"
   正確 : "I am very busy today, can you be brief?"
   解釋：英文中沒有"say shorter"的表達方式，而是使用"be brief"或"keep it short"。

2. 錯誤 : "I have many things today, can you talk simple?"
   正確 : "I have many things to do today, can you keep it simple?"
   解釋：正確表達需要使用"things to do"而非單純"things"，且"talk simple"不符合英文習慣，應使用"keep it simple"。

3. 錯誤: "Today I no time, you say quick please."
   正確: "I don't have much time today, please be quick."
   解釋：英文中需要適當的主詞、動詞結構和時態，"no time"應為"don't have time"。

相關單字與片語

1. Swamped - 非常忙碌，忙得不可開交
   "I'm completely swamped with work."
   (我工作忙得不可開交。)

2. Cut to the chase - 直接說重點，不拐彎抹角
   "Let's cut to the chase and discuss the main issue."
   (讓我們直接討論主要議題。)

3. In a nutshell - 簡而言之，概括地說
   "Tell me in a nutshell what happened."
   (簡單告訴我發生了什麼。)

4. Get to the point - 說重點
   "Please get to the point, we don't have all day."
   (請說重點，我們沒有整天的時間。)

5. Pressed for time - 時間緊迫
   "I'm pressed for time, so we need to be efficient."
   (我時間緊迫，所以我們需要高效率。)

練習範例

1. 情境：在工作會議上 
   "I have back-to-back meetings today. Could we focus on the key issues?"
   (我今天有連續不斷的會議。我們能夠專注在關鍵問題上嗎？)

2. 情境：與朋友通電話
   "Hey, I'd love to chat, but I'm in the middle of something. Mind giving me the highlights?"
   (嘿! 我很想聊，但我正在忙，介意給我重點嗎？)

3. 情境：與客戶溝通 
   "I appreciate your detailed explanation, but due to time constraints, could we narrow down to the essential points?"
   (我很感謝您的詳細解釋，但由於時間限制，我們能夠縮小範圍到關鍵點嗎？)