a deal is a deal说好的就得算数

把抽象的情绪压到一个动作上，一句就让人明白告白不必靠嘴。

The only way to do something is by ...

强调某件事只有一种做法时用；日常聊天可以，正式报告里少用这么绝对的说法。

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 重读，convey 弱，how much 连读。

The only way to learn this dish is by cooking it again and again. 要学会这道菜，唯一的方法就是一遍遍做。

用精确到天的数字说爱，比任何形容词都重，也更让人难过。

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

追忆已经结束的感情、怀念故人时用；安慰别人时别拿它来比较。

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. 我们一起住了六年，每一天我都很珍惜。

承认自己撑不住，却不讨同情，脆弱里带着一股硬撑的劲。

I have a hard time doing something.

坦白自己做某事很吃力时用；对刚认识的人这样说会显得交浅言深。

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

中性

hard time 重读，taking care of 连读。

I have a hard time getting up in the morning. 我早上很难爬得起来。

把抽象的「情绪」放进一个动作里，让一个不会感受的人当场学会。

Do you feel that? That's ...

带人察觉自己感受时用，要温和；在争论里用会像说教。

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

中性

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

Do you feel that? That's pride, and it's yours. 你感觉到了吗？那是骄傲，是你自己的。

不解释悲伤，只留一个盒子在座位上，细节比眼泪更疼。

the ... box was still in the front seat

讲一段不愿多说的往事时用，留白最动人；在轻松场合别揭人伤疤。

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

中性

still 重读，front seat 放低收尾。

And the birthday cake was still on the passenger seat. 而那个生日蛋糕，还放在副驾驶座上。