「介紹工作」不是introduce還能怎麼說?中文都指介紹,英文用詞其實分7種
有些英文字很常見,幾乎天天用,但卻也常常錯而不自知。Introduce 就是這樣一個字。
Iris 不久前去見一位外國客戶,是朋友 Matt 介紹的,於是她說:
(X)“I was introduced by your friend Matt.”
後來想到這樣一開口文法就錯,Iris覺得自己真是不專業。一起來看看這個簡單容易錯,卻又不知道自己講錯了的字。
Introduce 當「介紹」,Cambridge字典裡的定義是"tell someone another person's name the first time that they meet"
介紹不認識的雙方相互認得,可以是個人,也可以是團體:
(O)Allow me to introduce our CEO. 我介紹一下我們執行長。
(O)It is my pleasure to introduce tonight’s speaker. 我很榮幸來介紹今晚的演講者。
由某人介紹而來,意義更接近「推薦」,用 recommend 更恰當:
(X)“I was introduced by your friend Matt.”
(O)“I was recommended by your friend Matt.”
容易犯的情況還有
你給我介紹一本好的小說行嗎?
(X)Can you introduce a good novel?
(O)Can you recommend a good novel?
有時候中文裡的「介紹」,意思是轉介。英文用 refer更貼切。
The doctor referred the patient to a specialist. 這位醫生把病人轉介紹給專門醫生診治。
有時候中文說的「介紹」是指透過某人得到,可用 get。
我這份工作是我哥哥介紹的。
(X)This job is introduced by my brother.
(X)This job is recommended by my brother.
(O)My brother got me this job.
也聽到有的人在請「介紹情況」、「介紹某機構」、「介紹國家」等場合用 introduce,這些說法也不自然,這時的介紹比較接近「說明」,英文可以用 brief、tell、describe:
研發部門主管向我介紹了情況的最新發展。
(X)The R&D head introduced me to the latest developments.
(O)The R&D head briefed me on the latest developments.
會計向銷售人員介紹了自己的工作情況。
(X)The accountant introduced his work to the sales staff.
(O)The accountant described his work to the sales staff.
你可以介紹一下你的家庭?
(X)Can you introduce your family?
(O)Can you tell me about your family?