商務英語

從 2000年年初開始，財富中文網增設“商務英語”欄目，本欄目編撰者 Greg Laskaris為美國加利福尼亞經理人ESL（英語作為第二語言）專家，是國際商務英語培訓機構 Business Training International的創始人。現將“商務英語”最新內容選登如下（欲了解單詞發音及更多雙語內容請登錄：www.fortunechina.com）：

WORD-A-DAY：

hazard 危險（名詞）（noun） An obstacle that presents a risk; anything that poses a serious danger.

EXAMPLE： During the huge storm， drivers had to avoid hazards like electric power lines and large trees that had fallen across the road.

在大暴雨期間，駕駛汽車必須回避各種危險，包括電線和橫倒在道路上的大樹。

saleable 可售的（形容詞）

（adjective） Describing goods that can be sold due to theircondition or availability. （NOTE： also “salable”）

EXAMPLE： After the disaster the owner and his employees sorted carefully through their flooded store to locate any saleable merchandise.

災難過后，老板和員工把被洪水淹過的商店里的商品分類，確定還可以銷售的物品。

solipsism 唯我論（名詞）

（noun） Excessive focus on oneself without consideration for the needs or wishes of other people.

EXAMPLE： The popular actor's effusive autobiography revealed the magnitude of his solipsism and showed how he often ignored his unfortunate wife and children.

從這位知名演員的充滿激情的自傳能夠看出，他極端自我，經常無視他不幸的妻子和孩子。

steely 冷冰冰的（形容詞）

（adjective） Describing something strong like steel; resolute; icy and unfriendly; stern.

EXAMPLE： The wolf watches us on the forest trail with steely eyes.

在森林的路上，這頭狼用冷冰冰的眼光盯著我們。

unqualified 1. 不限制的（形容詞）；2. 不合格的（形容詞）

1. （adjective） Describing a statement or opinion that is made without any limitations or restrictions whatsoever.

EXAMPLE： The board of directors is happy to provide its unqualified support for the company's new president.

董事會樂于為公司的新總裁提供無保留的支持。

2. （adjective） Lacking necessary qualifications.

EXAMPLE： Several people without university degrees applied for jobs at our firm but we rejected them because they were unqualified.

幾位沒有大學學位的人申請我們公司的職位，但被我們拒絕了，因為他們不合格。

PHRASE-A-DAY：

sneaking suspicion 隱隱的懷疑，直覺（非正式）

（INFORMAL） A strong， intuitive belief based on little or no evidence.

EXAMPLE： I have a sneaking suspicion my son will marry the young woman he met recently.

我有直覺，我的兒子會和他最近相識的女孩結婚。

the point of no return 不能回頭的節點（成語）

（IDIOM） A certain point after which no reversal of decision or direction can be made.

EXAMPLE： We reached the point of no return when we signed a large loan agreement with the bank in order to start our new restaurant.

為了開新餐館，我們和銀行簽下了高額貸款的協議，我們從此不能回頭。

to buy a pig in a poke 盲目消費（成語）

（IDIOM） To make an unwise purchase without inspecting it beforehand. （NOTE： a “poke” in old usage was a large， rough sack）

EXAMPLE： I didn't want to buy a pig in a poke， so I went to a shop to buy a new bicycle instead of purchasing it online.

我不想盲目購買，所以我會去實體店買新自行車，而不是網購。

R/drsDAPyruWy7PpacF+vQ==to cast doubt on （someone or something） 質疑

To cause someone or something to be viewed with skepticism or uncertainty.

EXAMPLE： The new scientific discoveries cast doubt on many traditionally accepted beliefs.

這項新的科學發現對很多既定的傳統觀點提出了質疑。

to open a conversation 開始談判

To start a discussion， usually one that will continue at length.

EXAMPLE： To expand our business， we may need to open a conversation with some investors and potential commercial partners.

為了擴張業務，我們可能需要開啟與幾位投資人和潛在的商業伙伴的談判。

to take umbrage 生氣

To become annoyed， ashamed， or resentful because of what someone did or said to you， sometimes without much justification.

EXAMPLE： If anyone suggests even a small change in her daily routine，my obsessively methodical aunt takes umbrage and frowns angrily.

我的姑媽在做事時特別講條理，誰建議她給自己的日常生活做出一點小的改變，她都要發火，生氣地皺起眉頭。