YuYan.Biz

Audio:

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Key phrases and vocabulary:

corporate ladder

to climb the corporate ladder

entrepreneur

free agent

Example conversation:

JOHN: Debbie, how are you?

DEBBIE: Fine. How are you, John?

JOHN: Great! Hey, what’s up with Mark?

DEBBIE: Mark?

JOHN: Yes. Last time I heard he was really climbing the corporate ladder very well. He had made it to Executive Vice President?

DEBBIE: Yes, he had. But he felt there were business opportunities back in his home country of China.

JOHN: In China?

DEBBIE: Yes, there are a lot of business opportunities in China now.

JOHN: So he went back to China? With a company?

DEBBIE: No! Mark is no longer climbing the corporate ladder.

JOHN: He’s no longer climbing the corporate ladder?

DEBBIE: No, he’s an entrepreneur. A free agent. Taking similar software solutions to companies in China.

JOHN: Wow. I really need to send Mark an e-mail to him to stay in touch.

DEBBIE: Yes, you sure do.

Audio:

Key phrases and vocabulary:

Excuse me = pardon me

to excuse ≠ to accuse

“Excuse me! Don’t hit me!”

wild turkey

Audio:

Key phrase:

New Year’s resolutions

to make New Year’s resolutions

Example conversation:

Fred: Hi John, how are you?

John: Great Fred. Happy New Year!

Fred: Happy New Year to you too!

John: So, Fred, what are your New Year’s resolutions?

Fred: Well, I have made a resolution to lose weight and to be more efficient here at work. How about you?

John: My resolution is to learn a new language. I think I am going to try to learn Chinese.

Fred: Chinese? That’s very difficult!

John: Yes, I think so. But I am going to try my best.

Fred: OK, well, Happy New Year again!

John: Same to you!

Audio:

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Key phrases:

Happy New Year

holiday

Merry Christmas = Happy Christmas

Merry = Happy

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

I am cooperating with Ms. Cherry Cheng who has some great videos for Chinese students of English. I’ll be embedding her videos here.

Key phrases:

Customer service

To register a complaint

Example conversation:

A. Hello? “Widgets Are Us”, how may I help you?

B. Hi. This is Mrs. Jones. I have a complaint. I need to register a complaint.

A. You need to register a complaint. OK, how can we help you? What seems to be the problem?

B. I have purchased a fan. When I got home, the fan did not work. I am angry.

A. Oh, don’t be angry. We’re here to help you. Customer service is our top priority. So, what is the specific problem with the fan?

B. I plugged the fan in and it did not work. I need a new fan … or I want my money back.

A. Understood. Can you bring the fan down to one of our stores?

B. Yes. What day? And where do I bring the fan?

A. You can bring it to any one of our outlet stores. Monday – Friday 9am – 7pm. When you come into the store ask for the Customer Service desk which is usually in the back.

B. So at the back of the store there is a Customer Service desk and they can help with my problem?

A. That’s correct. And please do remember to bring your receipt.

B. Yes. I will bring my receipt and the broken fan. And I will come to the store and go to the customer service desk which is usually in the back of the store.

A. That’s correct. We’re sorry to cause you this extra trouble and we hope you’ll continue to be a loyal customer of “Widgets Are Us”.

B. Yes, I am very disappointed but I will bring the fan and hopefully you will fix the fan or give me my money back.

A. Yes, we will solve your problem.

B. Thank you.

A. Talk soon. Bye.

B. Bye.

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Key phrases:

To check into a hotel

Surname = family name

Given name

Here you are

imprint

Example conversation:

A. Hello, may I help you?

B. Yes, I’m checking in.

A. Alright. And…what’s your name?

B. My name is Hu Jintao.

A: Uh, I’m sorry?

B. Oh, it’s a Chinese name. Hu Jintao.

A. OK, let me see… in the computer … I’m sorry; I don’t see any “Jintao.”

B. Oh, no, no, no. You’re … The family name, the surname is Hu. H-U.

A. Oh?

B. Yes, Hu Jintao. You see, in Chinese, we put the family name or surname in front and the individual’s given name at the.. at the end. So, it’s Hu Jintao. Or, in English, you could say “Jintao Hu.”

A. Oh, OK Mr. Hu. Yes, we have your reservation right here. You’ll be staying with us for … two nights and three days. Is that correct?

B. Yes, that’s correct.

A. May I see your passport please?

B. Here you are.

A. Thank you. OK Mr. Hu. I am going to put you in a room with two twin beds and uh, it’s a smoking room.

B. A smoking room?

A. Yes, a smoking room.

B. No no no! I don’t smoke!

A. You don’t smoke?

B. No.

A. Oh, OK. Non-smoking room….. We have a non-smoking room with a king-sized bed. Would that be acceptable?

B. Very much so. Thank you!

A. Certainly. And last but not least, I need your credit card. I need to take an imprint of it for any bills … ah … any expenses that are not already prepaid.

B. Alright. Here you are.

A. Thank you Mr. Hu. Here’s your room key. Please enjoy your stay.

B. I will! Thank you!

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And audio:

Key Phrases:

rain check = 雨票

to let your hair down = “把头发放下去” ; 放松 ; 玩一下

Example Conversation:

Joan: John, congratulations on closing the Smith account.

John: Thank you very much. But now the hard work really begins.

Joan: That’s true John. But, why don’t you let down your hair and come enjoy some beer with us tonight? Let’s celebrate.

John: Hmmm, Joan. That’s a great idea. But I really have to get busy. Tonight, I need to speak with the office in Shanghai; they’ll start work while we are sleeping here in the United States. As such, can I have a rain check?

Joan: A rain check?

John: Yes, a rain check. I’d like to go out for beers with you guys next time if that’s OK.

Joan: That’s fine.

Audio:

Key Phrases:

to put all your eggs in one basket = 孤注一掷 /把所有的鸡蛋放在一个篮子里 / 把所有的宝押在柜台上

It is all or nothing! = 全赢或者全输

Example conversation:

A. Hi. How are you?

B. Very good. And you?

A. Great.

B. Say, did you hear about Mr. Chen?

A. Mr. Chen? The successful Internet entrepreneur?

B. Yes.

A. Didn’t he sell his first company?

B. Yes he did. It was very successful.

A. Wow! That’s great.

B. But now, he is putting all his money and all his resources into his new company.

A. What’s wrong with that?

B. Well, nothing. But he is literally putting all his eggs in one basket.

A. All his eggs in one basket?

B. Yes. Only one product. Focusing on one customer. And one contract. It’s all or nothing!

A. Wow! He really shouldn’t put all his eggs into one basket!

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