Imagine that you are in a crowded place in an English-speaking country. You want to politely ask someone to move but are not sure how. Here is today's question from our reader Slava:
设想一下，你在英语国家的一个拥挤场所，你想礼貌地请某人让一下，但是不确定该怎么说。以下是我们的读者Slava今天提出的问题：
Question:
提问：
Hi! Would you like to explain the difference between "sorry" and "excuse me"? Thank you. - Slava
你好，你能解释一下Sorry和Excuse me之间的区别吗？谢谢！
Answer:
回答：
Hello, Slava, and thanks for asking.
你好，Slava，感谢你的提问。
In many situations, both "Excuse me" and "Sorry" are suitable.
在很多情况下，"Excuse me" 和 "Sorry"都适用。
To get someone's attention
引起某人注意
For example, you can use either "Excuse me" or "Sorry" to politely get someone's attention. Let's listen:
例如，你可以使用"Excuse me" 或者 "Sorry"来礼貌地引起某人的注意。我们来听听：
Excuse me, do you know where the Metro is?
请问，你知道在哪坐地铁吗？
Sorry, do you happen to have the time?
请问，现在几点啦？
But when speaking to strangers, "Excuse me" is much more common.
但是在跟陌生人交谈时，我们更常用Excuse me。
To interrupt someone
打断某人的话
We also use "Excuse me" and "Sorry" to politely interrupt a person or people to ask or tell them something. Listen:
我们还可以用"Excuse me" 和 "Sorry" 来礼貌地打断某人，向他们提问或告诉他们什么事情。例如：
Excuse me, everyone, the meeting is starting in five minutes.
大家注意啦，会议五分钟后开始。
Sorry, Shelly, can I get your opinion on a gift idea?
打断一下，雪莉，我能问问你对礼物的看法吗？
To ask someone to move
要求某人让一下
"Excuse me" and "Sorry" are also used to politely ask someone to move so that we can walk past them or to apologize for bumping into someone. Let's listen:
"Excuse me" 和 "Sorry" 还被用于礼貌地请人让一下，以便我们可以通过，或是为撞到某人而道歉。例如：
Excuse me, may I please get past? Thanks!
对不起，能让我过一下吗？谢谢！
Sorry about that. It's really crowded in here!
对不起，这里真挤啊。
You heard the second speaker say, "Sorry about that." This is a common way of saying, "I'm sorry," when we make a small mistake.
你听到第二个说话者说“Sorry about that。”当我们犯下一个小错误时，我们通常这样说对不起。
To ask someone to repeat
让某人重复一遍
And, we use "Excuse me" and "Sorry" when we need someone to repeat what they said. Have a listen:
还有，当我们需要某人重复他们所说的话时，我们会说"Excuse me" 和 "Sorry”。例如：
Sorry, I didn't hear that. Can you say it again?
对不起，我没听清，你能再说一遍吗？
Excuse me, can you speak a little louder? We can't hear you in the back of the room.
对不起，你能大声一点吗？我在后排听不清。
Other times, only one of the phrases is suitable.
其它时候只能用其中一种。
I'm sorry
We use "I'm sorry" to:
我们用 "I'm sorry" 来表示：
· To tell someone that we regret something we did that affected the person in a bad way.
· 我们给他人造成了不好影响，对此表示歉意。
I'm so sorry for damaging your camera.
对不起，我弄坏了你的相机。
· To share unpleasant news.
· 说出坏消息
I'm sorry but all the rooms this weekend are taken.
对不起，周末满房了。
· Or to refuse an offer or request.
· 或是拒绝一项邀请或请求
Sorry but I won't make it to dinner. I have to work late !
对不起，我不去吃饭，我要忙到很晚。
Excuse me
And we use "Excuse me" to:
而我们使用"Excuse me”来表示：
· Politely tell someone that we are leaving a place.
· 礼貌地告诉某人，我们要离开某个地方。
Excuse me for a minute. I need to make a quick phone call.
失陪一会，我得去打个电话。
And that's Ask a Teacher.
以上就是本期名师答疑的全部内容。
I'm Ashley Thompson.
我是阿什利·汤普森。(51VOA.COM原创翻译，禁止转载，违者必究！)
