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  单元介绍

  Do you always pay full price for everything? Have a look at some Modern English expressions that deal with saving money!

  你买东西的时候老是按卖家的要价付钱吗?学一些能帮你省钱的现代英语吧。

  People have probably been bargaining for goods since before recorded history. Of course, it gives anyone satisfaction to know that they have paid less for something. The vendor has the advantage of knowing his/her cost, so it helps a lot if you know the approximate local market value.

  恐怕人类在有历史记载之前便有了讲价的经历。成功的讲价会多少给我们带来一些喜悦。当然,如果你知道商品的真实价值会对你讨价还价有所帮助。所以,大概的了解一下当地的市场行情对于你的讲价是否成功是有很大帮助的。

Bargaining
http://www.sina.com.cn 2002/10/08 18:08  洋话连篇

  情景对话

  John calls Carl on Saturday morning to see what’s up. Carl says he is going to do some last minute shopping before leaving. Is Carl good at bargaining? How does he go about it? Will he have any success in getting a good price?

  Carl: Hi, how much do you want for this?

  Vendor:150 renminbi.

  Carl: What! Don’t try to rip me off! I know what this is worth. 40 Rmb, tops.

  Vendor:No way! It cost me more than that. (Grabs a calculator) 120 Rmb.

  Carl: Come on! If you don’t give me a better price, I won’t buy this from you.

  Vendor:110 Rmb. Take it or leave it.

  Carl: (takes the calculator and enters 55) I’ll give you 55 Rmb.

  Vendor:I can’t do that. I have to make a living. Give me 100 Rmb and it’s yours.

  Carl: That’s still much too expensive. (Starts to walk away)

  Vendor:Wait, wait! OK, 85 Rmb. Final price.

  Carl: If that’s the lowest you’re willing to go, I’m leaving. I’ll pay 65 Rmb, final offer.

  Vendor:You drive a hard bargain. I’m losing money on this, but alright. I’ll let you have it for 65.

  Carl: (pays the money) Thanks a lot. See you next time.

  Vendor:Bye.

讨价还价

  注释

  1.Hey, don't try to rip me off. I know what this is worth.

  别想宰我,我识货。

  买东西的时候最怕的就是被宰。所以不管是不是行家都要先造出声势,用这句话镇住卖家。‘Rip someone off’意为某商店或商贩企图宰它的顾客,敲竹杠。如:“The shop tried to rip me off, but I taught them a good lesson.”(那个商店企图宰我,结果让我教训了一顿)。如果真的被狠宰了一下,你当然还可以说,“I was ripped off.”或者“I was cleaned out.”第二句话,有被骗得很惨的意思。

  2.Can you give me a little deal on this?

  这能卖得便宜一点吗?

  3.Can you give me this for cheaper?

  能便宜一点给我吗?

  大家都希望能买到物美价廉的东西,所以就免不了要讨价还价。这两句话往往能使你少花些钱。你要注意的是这样的问题一般只在‘market’(市场)这样的地方问,像‘shopping mall’(购物中心),‘supermarket’(超市)和‘department store’(百货商场)里说这样的话,就不太合适,因为除了大型商品,一般物品是不打折的。

  4.Is there any discount on bulk purchases?

  我多买些能打折吗?

  5.Give me a discount.

  给我打个折吧。

  ‘Bulk purchases’就是“大量地购买”,等于‘buy something in bulk’。‘discount’是折扣的意思。平时在商店里常出现的表示打折的牌子是‘on sale’。专门卖廉价物品的商店叫‘bargain store’,店里卖廉价商品的柜台叫‘bargain counter’。原来表示打折的英文词还挺多的,看来这些西方人的商业头脑也挺发达。

  6.How much do you want for this?

  这件东西你想卖多少钱?

  这句话一般是买者问的。‘How much’这里指的当然是‘how much money’。如果是在可以讲价的地方,卖主可能会反问你,“How much do you want to pay for this?”

  7.If you don't give me a better price, I won't buy this.

  如果价格不更优惠些,我是不会买的。

  教大家一个讨价还价的秘诀,就是用个‘if’从句,即加一个条件,再加一个由这个条件带来的结果。‘A better price’就是‘a cheaper price’.

  8.I can get this cheaper at other places.

  这样东西我在别的地方可以买到更便宜的。

  ‘Cheap’这个词挺有意思的,‘cheap’是“便宜”。如果说某人‘cheap’,大致上有两种含义,都不太好。一个意思是指人很小气,“吝啬鬼”是‘tightwad’或‘penny-pincher’;另一个意思是“卑微的”、“有失身份的”,“If you wear something like that, you will look cheap.”(要是穿成那样,你看起来挺有失身份的。)

  9.What's the lowest you’re willing to go?

  最低你能出什么价?

  这句话问的是最低价钱,应该是出自买者之口了。‘Go’就是‘charge me’.然而,如果卖者的出价还是太高,你就可以说,“Could you go up a little?”如果你的出价太低,卖者接受不了,他/她也可以相应的说,“Could you go up a little?”这里的‘go’却是‘pay’的意思了。

  10.Come on; give me a break on this.

  别这样,你就让点儿价吧。

  ‘Give someone a break’的意思是‘give someone a chance’.在不同的语境中,这个词组可以有不同的解释。在这句话里,指的是“让价”。另外,如果你正在忙着给女朋友写信,你的室友却想让你帮他打水,你就可以对他说,“Give me a break, buddy. I‘m busy right now.”(老兄,别烦我,我正忙着呢。)

  文化差异

  In the US and Canada, there are not many places where you can bargain. You may do so at flea markets or garage sales, or when buying big items like cars and houses. In shops, you must almost always pay the sticker price.

  在美国和加拿大,买东西可以讲价钱的地方并不多。但是在一些跳蚤市场,或车库市场你可以和商家讲价。在你买大宗物品,如汽车或房子时也可以讨价还价。不过,如果你是在一个正式的大商场里购物的话,应该照价付款,毫无商量的余地。

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