Name: 外國人這樣說，其實不是這個意思！你聽懂了嗎？ (How to read between the lines in English – a Mini English Lesson)
Uploaded: 2026-01-25T21:01:20.000Z
Duration: 3 min 42 s

to 不定詞

You know when people say something, and they expect you to understand more than just their words?

你有沒有遇過這種情況：人們說了一句話，卻期待你能理解話語背後的意思？

In today's mini English lesson, we're going to talk about what people really mean beyond the words they use.

在今天的迷你英文課程中，我們要來談談人們話語背後真正的意思。

When people expect you to read between the lines,

當別人期待你「聽懂弦外之音」時，

it can be really difficult, especially if you're learning English as a second language.

這真的很困難，尤其是當你正在學習英文作為第二語言時。

I'm going to share with you three tips to help you decode the meaning behind what people say.

我會分享三個技巧，幫助你解讀人們話中真正的含義。

Are you speaking in person, face to face, or is it on a text message?

是面對面交談，還是透過簡訊？

The same sentence can mean different things in different contexts.

同一句話，在不同情境下可能代表不同意思。

For example, if you're on the phone and you ask, "Is Sara there?"

例如，如果你在打電話時問：「Sara 在嗎？」

But if you're sending a text and you say, "Is Sara there?"

但如果你是傳簡訊問：「Sara 在嗎？」

You could possibly be wanting to share a secret,

and you don't want Sara to know, so you're checking if she's physically there.

又不想讓 Sara 知道，所以在確認她是否人在現場。

Tip number two: Who are the people speaking, and what's the relationship?

第二個重點：說話的人是誰？彼此的關係是什麼？

Or maybe they don't even know each other.

Look at this conversation between two colleagues.

Oh, I think she wants me to turn the air conditioning off.

喔，我想她是希望我把冷氣關掉。

Let's look at the same scenario, but now between two partners.

那我們再看看同樣的情境，但換成伴侶之間。

It's chilly... It's chilly... It's chilly...

好冷……好冷……真的好冷……

Oh, I think she wants me to do something about that.

喔，我想她是希望我做點什麼。

What about if you're meeting someone for the first time?

Oh, I think they're just making conversation.

喔，我想他們只是想找話聊天。

In some cultures, direct communication is preferred.

在某些文化中，人們偏好直接溝通。

But in some cultures, indirect communication is used.

但在另一些文化中，則常使用間接表達。

And that can be difficult if you're coming from a culture that uses direct communication,

and you're just used to saying what you mean.

習慣有話直說，這可能會讓你感到困惑。

Imagine you see someone who is struggling with a heavy bag.

想像你看到有人正提著一個很重的包包。

A direct communicator might ask, "Can I help you with this bag?"

直接溝通的人可能會問：「需要我幫你拿嗎？」

But someone from an indirect culture, when they see someone with a heavy bag,

但來自間接文化的人，可能會說：

they might say, "Oh, that looks like a heavy bag."

「哇，那個包包看起來很重。」

To a direct communicator, that might be confusing, because it sounds like they're just stating facts.

對直接溝通的人來說，這可能很困惑，因為聽起來只是陳述事實。

But in indirect communication, there's an implication that they're happy to help if you ask.

但在間接溝通中，這其實是在暗示：如果你開口，我很樂意幫忙。

So remember, in a lot of English-speaking countries, indirect communication is often used.

所以請記住，在許多英語系國家，間接溝通是很常見的。

Remember not to take everything they say word for word.

不要把每一句話都照字面理解。

If something isn't clear, don't be afraid to ask for clarification.

如果你不確定對方的意思，別害怕開口詢問。

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外國人這樣說，其實不是這個意思！你聽懂了嗎？ (How to read between the lines in English – a Mini English Lesson)

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