a fine pair一對活寶

兩句連問帶罵，Do you have to 把責怪藏在問句裡，日常吵架最實用。

Do you have to ...? You're gonna ...

對熟人抱怨對方某個習慣時用，語氣重；對長輩或上司別說，會顯得頂撞。

Do you really have to be like that? ／ You're gonna get us in trouble.

口語

重音落在 fast 和 killed，問句尾巴上揚，第二句壓重。

Do you have to leave everything to the last minute? You're gonna get us burned. 你非得什麼拖到最後一刻嗎？你會把我們坑死的。

把「最糟的做法」說成一條判斷，冷靜又有壓迫感，是這場戲的膽量宣言。

the worst thing we can do is ...

勸人別露怯、別自亂陣腳時用；正式談判也能收回，但語氣偏硬。

the last thing we should do is panic ／ the worst thing you can do is show it

中性

the worst thing 平穩帶過，重音壓在 scared，收句下沉。

If they ask about the gap, the worst thing we can do is look nervous. 要是他們問起這段空白，最糟的就是顯得心虛。

把「裝作沒看見」說成一句明確的意願，是這場戲裡最清醒的自保，句子乾淨可套用。

I don't want him to think that ...

提醒同伴別露聲色時用，語氣剋制；正式場合可改成 I'd rather he didn't think ...。

I don't want him to notice us. ／ let's not let him think we saw.

中性

don't want him to 連讀，重音落在 seen，句尾收平。

I don't want him to think that we noticed his tell. 我不想讓他以為我們看穿了他的小動作。

祈使句後面甩一個反問尾，把「求你」和「煩死了」同時說了出來，日常吵架最好用。

..., can't you?!

被熟人纏得受不了時能用；對長輩、客戶或正式場合別說，太沖。

Give me some space, will you? ／ Just leave me in peace, can't you?

口語

Leave me alone 連讀，重音在 alone，can't you 上揚帶火氣。

Leave me alone, can't you? I'm trying to finish this. 你能不能別煩我？我正想把這個做完。

把對方沒完沒了的抱怨說成 moans and groans，頭韻一壓，煩躁立刻變得可感。

I'm tired of hearing about ...

對老抱怨的同伴表達不耐煩時能用；對方正難受時說，會顯得冷酷。

I'm fed up with all the whining. ／ I've heard enough complaining for one day.

口語

tired of 連讀，moans and groans 兩詞重讀、節奏對稱。

I'm tired of hearing about the same delay every Monday. 每週一都為同樣的延誤嘮叨，我聽夠了。