【英语点心】Thanks, but no thanks! 谢了,不用了。
Listen
Exercise
1. Is 'thanks, but no thanks' a polite expression to use?
2. What do British people say a lot?
3. Why is it better to use this expression than just saying 'no'?
Answers
1. Yes, it is.
2. 'Please' and 'thank you'
3. Just saying 'no' is a little abrupt.
Read
You’re listening to British Council’s English Online and I’m Nina.
Today on Language Snacks we take a look at the expression thanks, but no thanks.
Let’s listen to the dialogue.
A: Tom, we’re all going out for a drink after work. Fancy joining us?
B: Thanks, but no thanks Bob, I’ve got to finish this report before I go home tonight.
A: OK, maybe next time.
Well we know that British people like to say ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ a lot, but this expression seems like a bit of a contradiction doesn’t it? ‘Thanks, but no thanks’.
In fact, it’s just a friendly way of refusing or turning down an invitation and sounds much better than just saying ‘no’, which can be a little abrupt.
So next time you feel like a night in front of the TV and your friend invites you to karaoke, you know what to say ‘thanks, but no thanks – maybe next time’.
And that’s it for now – join us again for some more Language Snacks.
You’ve been listening to English Online – the podcast for English learners in China.