英语俚语:I couldn't care less 我不在乎
I couldn't care less.
这句话的意思是「我不在乎」,「缺乏兴趣」(lack of interest),也就是:I don't care at all. 或 I don't give a hoot 1. 例如:
人家如果问: What do you think of the budget-cut?(你对预算削减有何看法?)
你回答: I couldn't care less.(我毫不在乎)
How do you like Mr. Lee's political point of view?(你喜欢李先生的政见吗?)
I couldn't care less.(我才不在乎呢!)
但是有时说话者也有「口是心非」: 例如:
I couldn't care less about the promotion 2 or pay raise.(我不在乎升级或加薪)
而实际上他是根本在乎升级和加薪的,那么人家也许就会回答说: Yes, you do(care).
至于 I couldn't care more. 就是「我很在乎」(I care a lot.)或 I care deeply. 同理:
I couldn't agree more.=I totally agree.(我完全同意)
I couldn't please you more.=I did my best to please you.(我尽量使你高兴)
I couldn't be more right.=I am totally right.
但是老外为了「自尊」,不愿强调自己的错误,所以很少人说:
I couldn't be more wrong.
注意:一般人都用否定句,但也有老外把肯定句与否定句互用。
不过,严格来说,I could care less. = I care to some degree.(care 的程度可能减少)
I could care more.=I care some.(care的程度也许增加)(主词可用任何人称代名词:he, she, you, we, they 等。但只用 could,不用 can。)
- The sudden hoot of a whistle broke into my thoughts.突然响起的汽笛声打断了我的思路。
- In a string of shrill hoot of the horn sound,he quickly ran to her.在一串尖声鸣叫的喇叭声中,他快速地跑向她。