第一, 迷你对话
A: Where are you from?
你来自哪里?
B: Gansu Province.
甘肃省。
A: For goodness’ sake, I didn’t know we are from the same place.
天啊,我还不知道啦,我们原来是老乡。
B: Did you have a good night tonight?
今晚过得愉快吗?
A: Yes, marvelous time.
非常愉快。
第二, 地道表达
for the goodness’ sake
1. 解词释义
For the goodness’ sake源于for…sake一词,本指“为了……的缘故”。例如:for the safty’s sake(为了安全起见),for one’s own sake(为了自己的利益)。在此,for the goodness’ sake用于加强语气,或表示厌烦、惊讶等,意为“看在上帝的份上,做做好事吧”。
2. 拓展范例
e.g. For goodness' sake, don't treat the poor kitten like that!
请看在老天的份上别对那可怜的孩子那样。
e.g. For goodness sake, don't remind him of the unfortunate business that happened last year or you'll bring a hornet's nest about our ears.
务必不要向他提及去年发生的不幸事件,否则你就会招惹麻烦的。