刚来美国我最怕接电话了。总觉得话筒另一端人是用一种我完全没听过语言。常常怕传错话, 便要求对方再打一次, 在录音机上留言。其实这也不是个坏主意, 总比乱说一通好 ! 这里我依照一些常见情况, 整理了几个会话供大家参考。

情况 (一) 打电话人找是你自己

Is Daisy there? (Daisy 在吗?) Speaking. 我就是。

This is she. 我就是。 (注: 男用 "This is he.")

You're speaking/talking to her. 你正在跟她说话。 (注: 男用 "You're speaking/talking to him.")

This is Daisy. 我就是 Daisy。

That's me. 我就是。

情况 (二) 打电话人要找人不在

May I speak to Mr. Gates? (请问 Gates 先生在吗?) He's not here right now. 他现在不在这里。

He's out. 他出去了。

He's in a meeting right now. 他现在正在开会。

You've just missed him. 你刚好错过他了。

He's just stepped out. 他刚好出去了。

情况 (三) 打电话人要找人不在, 问对方是否要留言

Can I talk to Mark? (我可以跟 Mark 讲话吗?)

He's out on his lunch break right now. Would you like to leave a message? 他出去吃午饭了, 你要留言吗?

He's not available right now. Can I take a message? 他不在, 我可以帮你传话吗?

情况 (四) 打电话人问他要找人何时回来

Do you know when he will be back? 你知道他什么时候会回来吗?

I'm sorry. I don't know. 抱歉, 我不知道。

I have no idea. 我不知道。

He should be back in 20 minutes. 他应该二十分钟内会回来。

情况 (五) 打电话人问他要找人在哪里

Do you have any idea where he is? 你知道他在哪里吗?

Sorry. I don't know. 抱歉, 我不知道。

He's at work right now. Do you want his phone number? 他现在在上班。你要不要他电话号码?

情况 (六) 打电话人要找人不在, 愿意接受对方留言

Can I leave a message? 我可以留个话?

Yes. Go ahead, please. 可以, 请继续。

Of course. Hold on for just a second so I can grab a pen and paper. 当然, 稍等一下让我拿个纸笔。

Sure, if you can excuse me for just a second. Let me find a piece of paper to write it down. 当然, 如果你可以等我一下下, 让我找张纸写下来。

情况 (七) 接受对方留言时听不清楚, 希望对方重复

When he comes back, can you have him call me at (206) 5551212? 他回来后, 能不能让他打 (206) 5551212 这个号码给我?

Can you repeat again, please? 能不能请你再重复一次?

(Say) Again, please? 再说一次好吗?

Pardon? 抱歉。(请再说一次)

Come again, please? 再说一次好吗?

I'm sorry? 抱歉。(请再说一次)