You've owed me money for a long time. When will you pay me back?
A. 生活化、口語化的說法
- "You've owed me money for a while now. When can you pay me back?"
「你欠我錢已經有一陣子了。你什麼時候能還我?」 - "Hey, remember that money you borrowed? When are you gonna pay me back?"
「嘿! 還記得你借的那筆錢嗎?你什麼時候要還我?」 - "Dude, you still owe me cash. What's the deal?"
「兄弟,你還欠我錢(你錢還沒還)。怎麼回事?」 - "I've been waiting on that money for ages. When can I expect it back?"
「我等那筆錢等很久了。我什麼時候能拿的回來?」 - "So... about that money you borrowed - any chance I'll see it soon?"
「所以...關於你借的那筆錢 - 我有機會很快拿回來(看到它) 嗎?」
B. 客氣、有禮貌的說法
- "I hope you don't mind me bringing this up, but you've had that loan for quite some time. When might you be able to repay it?"
「希望你不介意我提起這件事,但那筆貸款你已經拿了很長時間。你什麼時候可能可以償還?」 - "I was wondering if you could update me on when you might be able to return the money I lent you?"
「我想知道你是否能夠告訴我,你什麼時候可能可以歸還我借給你的錢?」 - "I don't want to pressure you, but it's been quite a while since I lent you that money. Do you have a timeline for repayment?"
「我不想給你壓力,但自從我借錢給你已經很久了(有段時間了 )。你有還款的時間表嗎?」 - "When you have a chance, could we discuss the repayment of the loan I provided?"
「當你有時間時,我們能討論一下我提供的那筆貸款的償還事宜嗎?」
C. 中文學習者容易犯的錯誤
❌ 錯誤: "You owe my money very long time."
✅ 正確: "You've owed me money for a long time."
說明: 時態要用現在完成時,且語序要正確
❌ 錯誤: "When can you give back my money?"
✅ 正確: "When can you pay me back?" / "When can you return my money?"
說明: "Give back" 太直接,用 "pay back" 或 "return" 更合適
❌ 錯誤: "You debt me money long time."
✅ 正確: "You've owed me money for a long time."
說明: "Debt" 是名詞,不能當動詞用;應該用 "owe"
D. 相關單字與片語說明
- Owe (v.) - 欠債、虧欠
"I owe you $50."
「我欠你50元。」 - Outstanding (adj.) - 未償還的、未解決的
"You have an outstanding balance of $200."
「你有200元的未償餘額。」 - Overdue (adj.) - 逾期的、過期的
"Your payment is three weeks overdue."
「你的應繳帳款已經逾期三週了。」 - Follow up (v.) - 追蹤、跟進、後續
"I'm following up on the money you borrowed."
「我想知道你之前跟我借的錢的後續。」 - Settle (v.) - 結清、償還
"When can you settle this debt?"
「你什麼時候能結清這筆債務?」 - Behind on payments - 拖欠付款
"You're behind on your payments."
「你拖欠了付款。」 - Chase someone (for money) - 催討(欠款)
"I hate having to chase people for money."
「我討厭為了錢催人。」 - What's the holdup? - 什麼在拖延?為什麼耽擱?
"What's the holdup on that repayment?"
「那筆還款為什麼耽擱了?」
E. 練習範例
範例 1:朋友欠錢買午餐(小額,一週)
- 溫和版:
"Hey, just a friendly reminder about that $20 from last week. When's good for you to pay me back?"
「嘿,友善提醒一下關於上週的那20元。你什麼時候方便還我?」 - 直接版:
"Yo, you still owe me twenty bucks from lunch last week. Can you Venmo me today?"
「喂!你還欠我上週午餐的二十塊。你今天能用Venmo轉給我嗎?」
範例 2:同事欠錢坐計程車(中額,一個月)
- 專業版:
"I don't mean to be pushy, but it's been about a month since I covered your taxi fare. Could we work out a repayment schedule?"
「我不想催促,但我替你付計程車費已經大約一個月了。我們能製定一個還款時程嗎?」 - 直接版:
"It's been a month since I spotted you that cab money. What's the deal? When can you pay me back?"
「我借你計程車錢已經一個月了。怎麼回事?你什麼時候能還我?」
範例 3:家人欠錢應急(大額,三個月)
- 正式版:
"I wanted to discuss the $500 loan from three months ago. I know times are tough, but could we at least set up a payment plan?"
「我想討論三個月前那500元貸款的事。我知道時機不好,但我們至少能設置一個還款計劃嗎?」 - 關切版:
"I'm starting to worry about that money I lent you. It's been three months - is everything okay? When do you think you can start paying me back?"
「我開始擔心借給你的那筆錢。已經三個月了,一切都好嗎?你覺得什麼時候能開始還我?」