經常有老外問我們，為什麼是一個人、一頭牛、一隻羊、一塊錢。有些字天生就是和另外一些字搭配在一起，中文這樣，英文也是，像「寫會議紀錄」用take meeting minutes，注意是用take，不是write；「開支票」，是write a check，不是open a check。這種搭配英文叫collocation，就字義來說就是co（一起）+location（位置），放在一起的兩個字。今天要談的是商業英文幾組慣用的搭配，錯誤的搭配不見得就是文法錯誤，但搭對了，就會有自然流暢的專業。
謝謝你提醒我們注意。
- （Ｘ）Thank you for bringing this to our notice.
- （Ｏ）Thank you for BRING this to our ATTENTION.
我寫信想表達我對於我對此事的不滿。
- （Ｘ）I’m writing to show my dissatisfaction regarding this issue.
- （Ｏ）I’m writing to EXPRESS my DISSATISFACTION regarding this issue.
如果你需要進一步協助，請讓我知道。
- （X）Please let me know if you require extra assistance.
- （Ｏ）Please let me know if you require FURTHER/ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE.
只是提醒一下，原訂明天的會議延到下周三的十一點。
- （X）Just a kindly reminder that tomorrow’s meeting has been postponed until next Wednesday at 9:00 a.m.
- （O）Just a FRIENDLY REMINDER that tomorrow’s meeting has been postponed until next Wednesday at 9:00 a.m.
多年來你一直是我們的忠實客戶，我們決定不收取延遲費用。
- （X）As you have been a faithful customer for years, we’ve decided to waive the late fee.
- （O）As you have been a LOYAL CUSTOMER for years, we’ve decided to waive the late fee.
我前一封信忘記提到，我下星期將不在辦公室。
- （Ｘ）In my former email, I forgot to mention that I will be out of the office next week.
- （Ｏ）In my PREVIOUS EMAIL, I forgot to mention that I will be out of the office next week.
謝謝你迅速回覆，如有評論或建議，我將不勝感激。
- （Ｘ）Thank you for your fast response.
- （Ｏ）Thank you for your PROMPT RESPONSE.
我們的營業時間從早上八點到晚上九點，周一到周六。
- （Ｘ）Our hours of work are 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
- （Ｏ）Our HOURS OF OPERATION are 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
明天是國定假日，我們店不營業。
- （Ｘ）The store is shut tomorrow in observance of a national holiday.
- （Ｏ）The STORE IS CLOSED tomorrow in observance of a national holiday.
我們很遺憾通知您的的申請未獲得批准。
- （Ｘ）We regret to notify you that your application has been denied.
- （Ｏ）We REGRET TO INFORM you that your application has been denied.
固定搭配看起來不好學，但也正因為固定、沒有變化，所以才好記，貼在筆記上多看幾次就學起來了。
世界公民文化中心是一所兩年制英語學院。
以「英語島學程」獨有的一對一教學和國際商業趨勢同步的團體討論課程，幫助企業人士善用英語整合能力，達成個人和企業國際化的目標，為高科技與國際跨國公司仰賴的商務英語學習機構。
預約甄選
