How to say it:figure flattering
Jessica在北京学汉语,她的中国朋友要是遇到了不知道用美语怎么说的词,就会来请教她。今天是听众问的:两面派。
Jessica:吴琼,我问你,“两面派”用美语怎么说?
吴琼:Ah? Jessica, 你从哪儿学到这个词的?
Jessica:From one of our listeners! 有个听众问的。
吴琼:That's cool! Hmm... 我觉得两面派一定是double face,对吗?
Jessica:Close! Actually it's two-faced.
吴琼: 哦!two-faced 两张脸,当人一面背人一面,两面派。
Jessica:That's right. Sometimes a two-faced person will say nice things about you to your face, then tell others nasty things about you when you're not around.
吴琼:哼,我最讨厌这种背后捅刀子的人了。
Jessica:I know! We call these people back stabbers.
吴琼:Back stabber? S-t-a-b-b-e-r, stabber 是用刀子捅别人的人,所以back stabber 就是在背后给人下刀子的人喽!Jessica, 不是吹牛,这种人我一眼就能识破。
Jessica:Wow! You must be a really good judge of character.
吴琼:judge 是法官,character 是人品,你说我是 a good judge of character, 一定是说我看人看得准,眼光犀利,对吗?
Jessica:Exactly. two-faced people can't fool you if you're a good judge of character.
吴琼: 不过 jessica, 我觉得,two faced people和back stabbers虽然都很讨厌,但他们也有些用处!
Jessica:Really?
吴琼:Yeah. Their existence will help you see who your real friends are! 没有他们的存在,怎么能显出哪些人才是真朋友呢!
Jessica:有道理!Now let's see what you've learned today.
吴琼:第一:形容某人两面派是two-faced;
第二:背后害人的人是back stabber;
第三:形容看人准,可以说 someone is a good judge of character.
B:杨琳,I forgot to ask─did your best friend have her wedding in the US or in China?
A:在北京啊,我可是为了她专门飞回去了一趟。
B:Wow. You're a good friend.
A:可不是么!要飞13个小时呢!幸好我有个朋友,帮我搞到了头等舱的票。
B:Seriously? That's nice! 以后我去中国,也让你朋友帮忙弄票吧!
A:No problem! 有熟人在航空公司上班,当然可以不费力气地拿到最好的票,不过一般来讲,还是要自己去旅行社或者网上买票。
B:没错,今天的“美语三级跳”节目就来讲买机票。