a deal is a deal說好的就得算數

把抽象的情緒壓到一個動作上，一句就讓人明白告白不必靠嘴。

The only way to do something is by ...

強調某件事只有一種做法時用；日常聊天可以，正式報告裡少用這麼絕對的說法。

The only way to show it is through your walk. ／ There's no other way to show how much you missed me.

中性

only way 重讀，convey 弱，how much 連讀。

The only way to learn this dish is by cooking it again and again. 要學會這道菜，唯一的方法就是一遍遍做。

用精確到天的數字說愛，比任何形容詞都重，也更讓人難過。

We were married for ... and I loved him.

追憶已經結束的感情、懷念故人時用；安慰別人時別拿它來比較。

We were together for three years, and I loved him. ／ We had three years together, and I loved him.

literary

three years and five days 放慢，loved 加重。

We lived together for six years, and I loved every day of it. 我們一起住了六年，每一天我都很珍惜。

承認自己撐不住，卻不討同情，脆弱裡帶著一股硬撐的勁。

I have a hard time doing something.

坦白自己做某事很吃力時用；對剛認識的人這樣說會顯得交淺言深。

I struggle to take care of myself. ／ Looking after myself is hard for me.

中性

hard time 重讀，taking care of 連讀。

I have a hard time getting up in the morning. 我早上很難爬得起來。

把抽象的「情緒」放進一個動作裡，讓一個不會感受的人當場學會。

Do you feel that? That's ...

帶人察覺自己感受時用，要溫和；在爭論裡用會像說教。

Feel that? That's what I mean. ／ See what just happened? That's emotion.

中性

Do you feel that 上揚，That's emotion 放慢收低。

Do you feel that? That's pride, and it's yours. 你感覺到了嗎？那是驕傲，是你自己的。

不解釋悲傷，只留一個盒子在座位上，細節比眼淚更疼。

the ... box was still in the front seat

講一段不願多說的往事時用，留白最動人；在輕鬆場合別揭人傷疤。

The gift was still on the passenger seat. ／ The box stayed in the front seat, unopened.

中性

still 重讀，front seat 放低收尾。

And the birthday cake was still on the passenger seat. 而那個生日蛋糕，還放在副駕駛座上。