圖／老唐

文／Dr.J.J. 圖／老唐

自己憑空想像不一定會發生或實現的事情，也就是「一相情願」。英文裡要表達這句成語則會用很簡單的說法 ”wishful + thinking“，來表達充滿渴望的想法。因為較之hope這個字，wish本來在含意上就比較跟現實有段距離，這樣的想法也往往是自己一相情願，不一定會讓別人同意或者能夠被實現。

Peter：Why do you keep doing extra work for Joe? He’s taking you for granted now. You’re not even reporting to him.

Peter：你幹嘛老幫John做額外的工作？他現在把你當作理所當然似的。你又不是他的下屬。

Tina：I know he’s becoming very demanding now. But I just hope he’ll start appreciating what I’ve done for him.

Tina：我知道他現在要求越來越多了。可是我總希望他會開始感激我幫他做的事情。

Peter：You’ve always been a great team player but you really deserve someone better to work with.

Peter：你向來都是最有團隊精神的，不過你真應該跟好一點的人共事的。

Tina：Well, we were assigned to complete a project together. I think he will learn that it’s impossible to finish something all by oneself. And perhaps, he’ll become more supportive and thoughtful in the near future.

Tina：我們被分配要一起完成一個計畫。我想他會了解，只靠自己一個人是不可能把事情做完的。或許以後他會變得比較願意去多協助、多體諒別人囉。

Peter：It’s just your wishful thinking. Honestly, you’re not his mother and it’s not even your responsibility to“bring him up!”

Peter：這是你一相情願的想法。老實說，你又不是他媽，把他「拉拔成人」又不是你的責任。

Tina：Hey, don’t be so mean! He’s our colleague after all.

Tina：嘿，別這樣嘛！畢竟他是我們的同事啊。

Peter：You know I don’t mean to be rude. I just don’t like to see you being taken advantage by him constantly.

Peter：你知道我沒有惡意。我只是不想看你老被他佔便宜。

自由時報-970828

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