English is full of bizarre (very strange) sayings, phrases and words that can vary depending on where you are in the English-speaking world!\u00a0 What they say in the South of England may be completely different to how they express the same idea in the North.<\/p>\n
This can even cause issues for native speakers, however, there are some phrases that are generally used wherever you are and can really help to express an idea or concept that you\u2019re struggling to explain.\u00a0 Often times, there will be an equivalent saying in other languages \u2013 Can you figure out the meaning in Japanese?\u00a0 Answers at the end of the blog!<\/p>\n
Let\u2019s start really simple <\/strong>\u2013 Students tend not to use these phrases enough but they are very useful.<\/p>\n 1.) That\u2019s too bad!<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n Oh, you failed the test again? That\u2019s too bad!<\/strong><\/p>\n Oh, the restaurant is fully booked and you will have to go somewhere else?! That\u2019s too bad! <\/strong><\/p>\n Oh, your hot date had to cancel on the last minute!? That\u2019s too bad!<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n 2.)<\/u><\/strong> It can\u2019t be helped!<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n This expression is quite similar to that\u2019s too bad.\u00a0 We often use it, even talking to ourselves, to offer encouragement.\u00a0 Don\u2019t get down about it, keep moving forward! It can\u2019t be helped, let\u2019s continue the day!<\/p>\n I forgot my ICOCA card and I have to buy a ticket, how troublesome!\u00a0 Oh well, it can\u2019t be helped.<\/strong><\/p>\n Oh, you forgot to return my book to me, again, you have been borrowing it for 2 years. Urgh, well it can\u2019t be helped.<\/strong><\/p>\n It\u2019s a nice phrase to help us mentally let go of situations that are annoying, bothersome and frustrating.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ok, let\u2019s make it A LITTLE more difficult, not much, just a little.<\/p>\n 3.) Time flies! (when you\u2019re having fun)<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n We often say time flies when we are having a lot of fun and forget about the time, we check our watch and realise that it\u2019s already the end of the class!\u00a0 Time flies when you\u2019re having fun! Actually, you don\u2019t need to say \u201cwhen you\u2019re having fun\u201d but it\u2019s implied, even if you don\u2019t actually say it.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 4.) I\u2019m still on the fence (about that!)<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n What do you think about my new idea? Do you like it?<\/p>\n Hmm, I\u2019m not sure yet. I\u2019m still on the fence!<\/strong><\/p>\n We can use this expression when we haven\u2019t made up our mind yet.\u00a0 We haven\u2019t made a clear choice yet.\u00a0 Imagine someone sitting on a fence trying to decide which side he likes better!\u00a0 We can also use it when we don\u2019t really want to continue a discussion about something.\u00a0 It\u2019s a good way of shutting down an uncomfortable conversation where someone is asking for your opinion.<\/p>\n Please check here for the Japanese meanings of these phrases \u2013 Were you correct?<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 1\uff09\u305d\u308c\u306f\u6b8b\u5ff5\uff01\u30002\uff09\u3057\u3087\u3046\u304c\u306a\u3044\u3088\uff01\u30003\uff09\u3042\u3063\u3068\u3044\u3046\u9593\u3060\u306d\uff01\u30004\uff09\u307e\u3060\u8ff7\u3063\u3066\u308b\u3002<\/p>\n OK folks, please try out some of these phrases in your English classes this week!\u00a0 Your teacher will probably be impressed, good luck!<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u5927\u962a\u30a8\u30ea\u30a2\u3000L.H<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" English is full of bizarr…<\/p>\n