🎧 节目简介
你有没有这种心态:面对牙疼、漏水的水管,或者棘手的工作任务,总是想着“明天再处理吧”,希望能拖一天是一天?
但我们心里都清楚,有些事情是无法逃避的。
本期 Beyond English 不止英语,Mandy 和 Patrick 带你聊聊 "Sooner or later" 这个短语背后的“宿命感”,并分享另外两个表示“必然发生”的地道表达。
📖 CORE VOCABULARY
• Sooner or later: [迟早/早晚] - Used to say that something is certain to happen at some time in the future
• Bound to: [注定/肯定会] - Certain or likely to happen
• Matter of time: [时间问题] - Used to say that something will definitely happen, but you do not know when
• Inevitable: [不可避免的] - Certain to happen; unavoidable
• Procrastinate: [拖延] - To delay or postpone action
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🗣️ BILINGUAL SCRIPT (中英对照 · 辅助理解)
Patrick: You know, Mandy, ignoring the problem won't make it disappear.
Patrick: 你知道吗,Mandy,无视问题并不会让问题消失。
Mandy: I know, Patrick. But if I ignore it, maybe it will go away? Just for today?
Mandy: 我知道,Patrick。但如果我无视它,也许它就不见了呢?哪怕就今天一天?
Patrick: Unfortunately, that is not how life works. Hello everyone, welcome back to Beyond English. I'm Patrick.
Patrick: 很遗憾,生活不是这样的。大家好,欢迎回到 Beyond English 不止英语。我是 Patrick。
Mandy: And I'm Mandy. Patrick is being very wise today. I have a toothache. I know I need to see a dentist, but I am terrified.
Mandy: 我是 Mandy。Patrick 今天表现得很睿智。我牙疼。我知道我得看牙医,但我很害怕。
Patrick: I understand the fear. But the pain will not stop on its own. You will have to go: Sooner or later.
Patrick: 我理解这种恐惧。但疼痛不会自己停止。你不得不去:Sooner or later(迟早/早晚)。
Mandy: Sooner or later. That sounds like a warning.
Mandy: Sooner or later。听起来像是个警告。
Patrick: It is a reality check. "Sooner or later" means something is certain to happen. We don't know exactly when, but it is inevitable.
Patrick: 这是一个现实的提醒。"Sooner or later" 意味着某事肯定会发生。我们不知道确切时间,但它是不可避免的。
Mandy: I see. How can I visualize this?
Mandy: 我明白了。我该怎么具象化地理解这个?
Patrick: Think of a credit card bill. You can buy a nice dress today and feel happy. You don't pay immediately.
Patrick: 想想信用卡账单。你今天可以买件漂亮的裙子,感到很开心。你不需要立刻付款。
Patrick: But at the end of the month, the bill arrives. You have to pay: Sooner or later. You cannot escape the cost.
Patrick: 但到了月底,账单就来了。你必须得付钱:迟早的事。你逃不掉这个代价。
Mandy: Ugh, that is a painful metaphor. The bill always comes. So, are there other ways to say this?
Mandy: 呃,这个比喻真让人痛苦。账单总是会来的。那么,还有其他说法吗?
Patrick: Yes. If you want to say something is 100% certain, you can use: Bound to. "It is bound to happen."
Patrick: 有。如果你想说某事是100%确定的,你可以用:Bound to(注定/肯定会)。“这注定会发生。”
Mandy: Or maybe "It is just a matter of time"?
Mandy: 或者也许“这只是时间问题 (It is just a matter of time)”?
Patrick: Exactly. "It is just a matter of time" focuses on the waiting. "Sooner or later" focuses on the result.
Patrick: 没错。“这只是时间问题”侧重于等待。"Sooner or later" 侧重于结果。
Mandy: So, can I use "Sooner or later" for good things? Like, "Sooner or later I will be rich"?
Mandy: 那么,我可以用 "Sooner or later" 来形容好事吗?比如,“迟早我会发财的”?
Patrick: You can! If you work hard, you can say, "Sooner or later, I will succeed." It shows determination.
Patrick: 可以!如果你努力工作,你可以说,“迟早我会成功的。”这显示了决心。
Mandy: That sounds better. What about at work?
Mandy: 这听起来好多了。那在工作中呢?
Patrick: It is often used for problems we are avoiding. For example, "We need to update the software. Sooner or later, the old system will crash."
Patrick: 它经常用于我们正在逃避的问题。例如,“我们需要更新软件。旧系统迟早会崩溃的。”
Mandy: That implies we should act now to prevent a disaster.
Mandy: 这暗示我们应该现在就行动,以防止灾难。
Patrick: Precisely. Now, Mandy, be careful with your tone. If you say it too aggressively, it can sound like a threat.
Patrick: 确切地说。现在,Mandy,注意你的语气。如果你说得太咄咄逼人,听起来可能会像威胁。
Mandy: Like a movie villain? "Sooner or later, I will find you!"
Mandy: 就像电影里的反派?“迟早我会找到你的!”
Patrick: Haha, exactly. In daily conversation, keep the tone calm and logical, not scary.
Patrick: 哈哈,没错。在日常对话中,保持语气冷静和理性,不要吓人。
Mandy: Got it. No threats. Patrick, is this different from "Eventually"?
Mandy: 懂了。不威胁。Patrick,这和 "Eventually"(最终)有区别吗?
Patrick: They are very close. "Eventually" is neutral. "Sooner or later" often has a feeling of "you can't hide from this." It feels a bit more heavy or destined.
Patrick: 它们非常接近。"Eventually" 是中性的。"Sooner or later" 通常有一种“你躲不掉”的感觉。它感觉更沉重或更具宿命感。
Mandy: It feels like destiny. Well, listeners, sooner or later, you will master English!
Mandy: 感觉像命运。嗯,听众朋友们,迟早你们会掌握英语的!
Patrick: I believe it. Just keep practicing.
Patrick: 我相信。只要坚持练习。
Mandy: Tell us in the comments: What is something you need to do sooner or later?
Mandy: 在评论区告诉我们:有什么事是你迟早得做的?
Patrick: Thanks for listening. Go beyond words.
Patrick: 谢谢收听。超越词汇。
