這陣子不知怎的, 每天洗澡後總覺渾身痕癢難當, 弄得Bella 忙個不停抓癢癢。這讓我想起一句英語慣用語 You scratch my back and I'll scratch yours。你替我的背抓癢, 我也替抓你的, 這樣互惠互利, 禮尚往來, 不就是廣東話的「你識做時我識做」麼？
I've got absolutely no idea what's wrong with me! I have a really bad itch all over my body after shower every day. It's been like this for quite some time already. I can't help but keep scratching. All that scratching reminds me of the English idiom "You scratch my back and I'll scratch yours." You help me kill the nasty itch on my back and I'll return you the favour by doing the same to you. Isn't it wonderful?
至於「禮尚往來」的英文諺語是One good turn deserves another. 讓我們看看以下的例子, 用英語學習如何才算「識做」。
English proverb "One good turn deserves another." also fits the context here. Let's learn how to do somebody a favour in English in the following example.
David: (Rubbing his hands with/ in glee) I've fixed the bike for you. You know what they say? One good turn deserves another.
Betty: Thanks, David. I owe you one. You scratch my back and I'll scratch yours. It's time to return the favour. Come to my room, I'll let you use my computer tonight.
David 替 Betty 修理好電腦, 笑吟吟地搓搓雙手, 問Betty 知道禮尚往來是什麼意思, 明顯有事相求。Betty 也不笨, 連忙向David 道謝, 說欠他一個人情, 知道「你識做時我識做」, 是還人情的時候了, 邀請David 到她房間讓他用電腦。
詞語配對表
你識做時我識做 | You scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours. |
禮尚往來 | One good turn deserves another. |
我欠你一個人情 | I owe you one. |
還人情 | To return a favour. |