had in mind心裡設想的人選

先坦白當年的偏見，再用 but we got past it 收尾，把半生的接納寫進兩個分句，是老人式的體面。

You weren't quite what we had in mind, but we got past it.

坦承曾經的不認可、同時表明已經釋懷時用，正式、有分量。

You weren't our first idea, and we got over that. ／ Not what we planned, but we learned to be glad of it.

正式

You weren't quite 輕起，what we had in mind 放慢，we got past it 加重收。

You weren't quite what we had in mind for the role, but we got past it. 你不完全是我們給這個角色心目中的人選，但我們後來釋懷了。

He wasn't quite what we had in mind for a partner, but we got past it. 他不完全是我們心目中合夥人的樣子，但我們後來釋懷了。

用完成時的不定式 to have known you，把認識這件事放進一生的尺度裡，剋制而深情。

I am happy to have known you.

在可能告別的場合鄭重表達珍惜時用，優雅、剋制，適合書面或鄭重道別。

I'm glad our paths crossed. ／ Knowing you has been a privilege.

正式

I am happy 輕帶，to have known you 放慢加重收。

I am happy to have known you, professor. 能認識您，我很高興，教授。

I am happy to have known you, and I wish you well. 能認識你，我很高興，也祝你一切順利。

用虛擬語氣把對方的誠實反過來誇了一遍，看似損人，實為恭維，是英式嘴仗的分寸。

I'd never have got anywhere if I were as X as you.

用打趣的方式誇對方某種品質時用，口語、帶機鋒，對不熟的人別說。

If I were as honest as you, I'd never have lasted. ／ Your kind of honesty would have ruined me.

口語

I'd never have 連讀，got anywhere 停頓，as rotten a liar as you 放慢收。

I'd never have got anywhere if I were as lazy as you. 要是我像你一樣懶，我這輩子什麼也成不了。

I'd never have got anywhere if I were as kind as you. 要是我像你一樣心軟，我這輩子什麼也成不了。

用 such a bad liar 把對方的誠實說成一種笨拙，表面挑刺，實為親暱。

You're such a bad + 名詞, + 人名.

用打趣的方式點出對方某種可愛缺點時用，口語、帶親暱，別對陌生人和上級說。

You couldn't lie to save your life. ／ Your face gives you away every time.

口語

You're such a bad 連讀，liar 停頓，Tom 輕收。

You're such a bad actor, Sam. 你演戲可真差勁，山姆。

You're such a bad liar, sweetheart. 你撒謊可真差勁，親愛的。

And that's life 把一生的波折壓成一句輕描淡寫，isn't it 又把話遞回去求共鳴，豁達裡帶無奈。

And that's life, isn't it?

面對無法改變的遺憾、想表達豁達時用，口語、帶感慨，正式報告別用。

And that's just how it goes. ／ Such is life, I suppose.

中性

And that's life 平帶，isn't it 輕揚收。

And that's luck, isn't it? 而這就是運氣，不是嗎？

And that's travel, isn't it? 而旅行就是這樣，不是嗎？