In Canada and the United States, people enjoy entertaining(請(qǐng)客)at home. They often invite friends over for a meal, a party, or just for coffee and conversation.
Here are the kinds of things people say when they invite someone to their home:
" Would you like to come over for dinner on Saturday night? "
" Hey, we're having a party on Friday. Can you come'? "
To reply to an invitation, either say thank you and accept(接受), or say you're sorry and give an excuse(借口):
" Thanks, I'd love to. What time would you like me to come?" or " Oh, sorry. I've tickets for a movie." Sometimes, however, people use expressions(措辭)that sound like invitations, but which are not real invitations(邀請(qǐng)). For example:
" Please come over for a drink sometime? "
" Why not get together for a party sometime? "
"Why don't you come over and see us sometime soon?"
They are really just polite ways of ending a conversation. They are not real invitations because they don't tell time or date. They just show that the person is trying to be friendly. To reply to expressions like these, people just say: "Sure, that would be nice!" or "OK. Yes, thanks."
So next time when you hear what sounds like an invitation. Is it a real invitation or is the person just being friendly?
【小題1】 Why do Canadians and Americans often invite friends for meals at home?