The amount of info available electronically has been
exploding at an exponential rate.
A number of Web site operators are trying to generate
advertising revenue sticking with the basics - teaching
people the obvious.
Well, I've yet to see a site on how to boil water.
──────────────────────────────
glut, 過多、供給過剰
──────────────────────────────
If there is a glut of something, there is so much of it
that it cannot all be sold or used.
ex) There's a glut of agricultural products in western Europe.
──────────────────────────────
at an exponential rate, 幾何級数的に
──────────────────────────────
Exponential means growing or increasing very rapidly.
[FORMAL]
ex) The policy tried to check the exponential growth of
public expenditure.
──────────────────────────────
stick with, …を堅持する
──────────────────────────────
If you stick with something, you continue to use it or do it,
and do not change to something else.
ex) Will they stick with the business or run off to start
something else?
──────────────────────────────
obvious, わかりきった
──────────────────────────────
If you say that someone is stating the obvious, you mean
that they are saying something that everyone already
knows and understands.
ex) It may be stating the obvious, but most teleworking
at present is connected with computers.
──────────────────────────────
have yet to, まだ…していない
──────────────────────────────
Instead of saying that something 'has not yet happened',
you can say that it has yet to happen. People often use
this structure to indicate that they do not expect
something to happen.
■NHKラジオ 実践ビジネス英語 Learning to Talk the Talk (6) 5/23 2008
■意味を考えてみよう。今日取り上げる単語が含まれています。
Learning to Talk the Talk.
That's the way it is worldwide.
Shop around for the perfect person.
People working in teams across borders must be crystal clear
when explaining everything from order forms to delivery deadlines.
Adults like you and me should not be left behind.
──────────────────────────────
talk the talk, きちんと話す
──────────────────────────────
to say something in a way that appears to be true or real.
http://idioms.thefreedictionary.com/talk+the+talk
walk the walk
to show that something is true through your actions.
ものごとをきちんと実行する
──────────────────────────────
That's the way it is worldwide., 世界中でそうなっているのです
──────────────────────────────
[E-DIC]
Why is it that all textbooks are boring?
That's the way it is with textbooks.
教科書って、どうしてどれもつまらないのかしら
教科書とは、そういうものなんだよ
──────────────────────────────
shop around, 物色する
──────────────────────────────
If you shop around, you go to different shops or companies
in order to compare the prices and quality of goods or
services before you decide to buy them.
[E-DIC]
わが社は、日本の市場に接近をはかる外国系のパートナーを物色
しています。
Our company is shopping around for foreign partners
who want access to the Japanese market.
──────────────────────────────
crystal clear, 非常に明瞭に [な]
─────────────────────────────
Learning to Talk the Talk (3)より
If you say that a message or statement is crystal clear,
you are emphasizing that it is very easy to understand.
[E-DIC]
His words are ambiguous, but his intent is crystal clear.
彼のことばはあいまいだが,意図するところは明白だ。
──────────────────────────────
be left behind, 後れを取る、取り残される
──────────────────────────────
[E-DIC]
勉強しないと、落ちこぼれちゃうわよ。
If you don't study, you're going to be left behind.
練習は決して裏切らない
Practice produces results that will never fail you.
■NHKラジオ 実践ビジネス英語 Learning to Talk the Talk (5) 5/22 2008
55ページの、
They won't eat you alive.
Everything will look better in the morning.
という表現が心に残りました。
■意味を考えてみよう。今日取り上げる単語が含まれています。
Then I try to translate into English.
You can get an employee subsidy and set your practice time
in line with your work hours.
It can also come in handy in any number of other industries.
Don't fret about it.
Then by all means join the millions of us who want to succeed.
──────────────────────────────
translate into, …に翻訳する、…に変換する
──────────────────────────────
If one thing translates or is translated into another,
the second happens or is done as a result of the first.
ex) Your decision must be translated into specific,
concrete actions.
──────────────────────────────
in line with, …に合致して、…に応じて
──────────────────────────────
If one thing is in line with another, or is brought into
line with it, the first thing is, or becomes, similar to
the second, especially in a way that has been planned or
expected.
ex) This brings the law into line with most medical opinion.
──────────────────────────────
come in handy, 重宝する、役立つ
──────────────────────────────
If something comes in handy, it is useful in a particular
situation.
ex) That key will come in handy if you lock yourself out.
──────────────────────────────
fret about, …について思い悩む
──────────────────────────────
If you fret about something, you worry about it.
ex) Don't fret, Mary. This is all some crazy mistake, and
Max will fix it.
──────────────────────────────
by all means, ぜひとも
──────────────────────────────
Learning to Talk the Talk (4)より。
You can say 'by all means' to tell someone that you are
very willing to allow them to do something.
ex) 'Can I come and have a look at your house?'
- 'Yes by all means'.
If you profit from something, or it profits you, you gain
some advantage or benefit from it. [FORMAL]
ex) So far the French alliance had profited the rebels little.
──────────────────────────────
with little dismay, ほとんど慌てる [うろたえる] ことなく
──────────────────────────────
Dismay is a strong feeling of fear, worry, or sadness that
is caused by something unpleasant and unexpected. [FORMAL]
ex) Local councillors have reacted with dismay and
indignation.
──────────────────────────────
preclude, (…を) 妨げる、(…を) 阻む = prevent
──────────────────────────────
If something precludes an event or action, it prevents the
event or action from happening. [FORMAL]
ex) At 84, John feels his age precludes too much travel.
──────────────────────────────
conquer, 克服する
──────────────────────────────
If you conquer something such as a problem, you succeed
in ending it or dealing with it successfully.
ex) I was certain that love was quite enough to conquer
our differences.
──────────────────────────────
laggard, [名] 怠慢な人
──────────────────────────────
If you describe a country, company, or product as a laggard,
you mean that it is not performing as well as its competitors.
ex) The company has developed a reputation as a technological
laggard in the personal-computer arena.
イノベータ理論ではラガードとは最後まで新しいことを受け入れ
ない層の人のことを言うようです。
──────────────────────────────
その他にも、次も押さえておきたい。[誌面の都合上省略] ★は重要表現
──────────────────────────────
be left behind, 遅れを取る、取り残される
mend, 繕う、直す
by all means, ぜひとも
■NHKラジオ 実践ビジネス英語 Learning to Talk the Talk (3) 5/16 2008
■前回の復習です。答えは最後で
best fit
subtle
get going
underwrite
go for it
come in handy
fret about
shop around
■意味を考えてみよう。今日取り上げる単語が含まれています。
Numerous employees are contending with communicating with
colleagues and customers by resorting to English as a
lingua franca.
On top of that, you need to be polite while casting your
messages in explicit words that get the point across.
Mumbo jumbo and ambiguous instructions are ruled out
if you expect to communicate with business contacts
in other parts of the world.
Differences in national or even regional subcultures
muddy the water.
──────────────────────────────
contend with, (問題など)に対処する
──────────────────────────────
If you have to contend with a problem or difficulty, you have
to deal with it or overcome it.
ex) It is time, once again, to contend with racism.
──────────────────────────────
lingua franca, 共通語、混成後
──────────────────────────────
A lingua franca is a language or way of communicating
which is used between people who do not speak one another's
native language. [FORMAL]
ex) English is rapidly becoming the lingua franca of Asia.
──────────────────────────────
cast one's message, メッセージを作り上げる
──────────────────────────────
To cast an object means to make it by pouring a liquid such
as hot metal into a specially shaped container and leaving
it there until it becomes hard.
cast:鋳造する、形を与える、表現する
──────────────────────────────
rule out, …を除外する、…を排する
──────────────────────────────
If you rule out a course of action, an idea, or a solution,
you decide that it is impossible or unsuitable.
[E-DIC]
The party is going to be on Saturday."
"That rules me out. I have to work that day."
「パーティーは土曜日だよ」
「じゃあ,ぼくはだめだ。その日は仕事なんだ」
──────────────────────────────
muddy the water, (事態を)混乱させる
──────────────────────────────
If someone or something muddies a situation or issue,
they cause it to seem less clear and less easy to understand.
If someone or something muddies the waters,
they cause a situation or issue to seem less clear and
less easy to understand.
[E-DIC]
muddy the waters
「(順調だった話・事態を)混乱させる,波風を立てる」
Don't mention his divorce. That will only muddy the waters.
彼の離婚については触れるな。波風が立つだけだから
辞書によると、ビニエットとは違ってwatersとsがつくようですね。
──────────────────────────────
その他にも、次も押さえておきたい。[誌面の都合上省略] ★は重要表現
──────────────────────────────
in keeping with, …と調子を合わせて
offshoring, [名] 国外への業務委託
corporal, [形] 身体 [肉体] の
crystal clear, 以上に明瞭に [な]
get a point across, 理解される、理解させる
mumbo jumbo, 訳のわからない言葉
from pole to pole, 世界中の [で]
■NHKラジオ 実践ビジネス英語 Learning to Talk the Talk (2) 5/15 2008
■意味を考えてみよう。今日取り上げる単語が含まれています。
Which one will give you the best fit?
Humor in Japan can be very subtle, but I hope my broken
English is no joke.
Sign up and get going.
Great Lakes will underwrite your study with a subsidy.
That's too much all at once, but I can go for it step by step.
──────────────────────────────
best fit, 最も高い適合性
──────────────────────────────
If something is a good fit, it fits well.
ex) Eventually he was happy that the sills and doors were
a reasonably good fit.
──────────────────────────────
subtle, [形] わかりづらい、とらえがたい、微妙な
──────────────────────────────
Something that is subtle is not immediately obvious or
noticeable.
ex) the slow and subtle changes that take place in all
living things.
──────────────────────────────
get going, やりはじめる、取りかかる
──────────────────────────────
When you get going, you start doing something or start
a journey, especially after a delay.
[E-DIC]
It's time you got going on your homework.
宿題に取りかかってもいい時間だよ
──────────────────────────────
underwrite, (…の) 費用を負担する
──────────────────────────────
If an institution or company underwrites an activity or
underwrites the cost of it, they agree to provide any money
that is needed to cover losses or buy special equipment,
often for an agreed fee. [TECHNICAL]
ex) The government will have to create a special agency
to underwrite small business loans.
──────────────────────────────
go for it, 思い切ってやる
──────────────────────────────
If you go for a particular thing, you choose it or aim to
achieve it. If you say 'Go for it' to someone, you are
encouraging them to attempt to do something difficult.
[E-DIC]
(危険なこと、勇気を要することを)やってみる、試みる。
"I do want to marry Sally, but I'm too frightened to mention
the M word to her." "Go for it!"
「サリーと結婚したいんだけど、『結婚』という言葉を彼女に言い
出す勇気がないんだ」「いちかばちかやってごらんよ」
──────────────────────────────
その他にも、次も押さえておきたい。[誌面の都合上省略] ★は重要表現
──────────────────────────────
come in handy, 重宝する、役立つ
fret about, …について思い悩む
shop around, 物色する
used to suggest that something is unlikely to be or
certainly not the case.
ほとんど…ない
──────────────────────────────
hit one's head against, …に頭をぶつける
──────────────────────────────
これはビニエットでは hit one's head against the language barrier
となっていて、「言語の壁に突き当たっている」という意味になって
います。
比喩的に使われているのでしょう。
一方、イディオムらしき意味も辞書にはありました。
[英辞郎]
hit one's head against the wall
失敗するに決まっていることをする
[goo辞書]
bang [beat, hit, knock ] one's head against a brick wall
無駄骨を折る
──────────────────────────────
advance to, …に進む
──────────────────────────────
To advance means to move forward, often in order to attack
someone.
ビニエットでは advance to college と使われており、
自分では go to college と言いそうだなと思いました。
──────────────────────────────
matter of reality, 現実 [実際] 問題
──────────────────────────────
A matter is a task, situation, or event which you have to
deal with or think about, especially one that involves
problems.
ex) Business matters drew him to Paris.
──────────────────────────────
その他にも、次も押さえておきたい。[誌面の都合上省略] ★は重要表現
──────────────────────────────
talk the talk, きちんと話す
translate into, …に翻訳する、…に変換する
in line with, …に合致して、…に応じて
■NHKラジオ 実践ビジネス英語 A Great Place to Work (6) 5/9 2008
■意味を考えてみよう。今日取り上げる単語が含まれています。
I enjoy working with smart and supportive team members.
My colleagues in Japan would envy me a great deal.
We all work hard, but not so hard that we meet the Grim Reaper.
It's OK to work your butt off, but you sometimes need to
cut yourself some slack.
All of us like to feel that we're on top of our jobs.
──────────────────────────────
smart, 利口な、(身なりの)きちんとした
──────────────────────────────
Smart people and things are pleasantly neat and clean in
appearance. [mainly BRIT]
You can describe someone who is clever as smart.
──────────────────────────────
envy, うらやむ
──────────────────────────────
If you say that someone is green with envy, you mean that
they are very envious indeed.
[E-DIC]
Wait till you see my new dress, Sue. You're going to be
absolutely green with envy.
私の新しいドレスを見てご覧なさいよ,スー。あなた,絶対にうら
やましがるわよ
──────────────────────────────
Grim Reaper, 死神
──────────────────────────────
The Grim Reaper is an imaginary character who represents
death. He looks like a skeleton, wear a long, black cloak
with a hood, and carries a scythe.
Why should I work my butt off when nobody else does?
ほかの連中はだれもそうしていないのに,なぜぼくが身を粉にして
働かなくちゃいけないんだ?
──────────────────────────────
be on top of something, (仕事など) をうまく処理している
──────────────────────────────
If you are on top of a task or situation, you are dealing
with it successfully. If you are beginning to deal with it
successfully, you can say that you are getting on top of it.
[E-DIC]
There's something wrong at factory 3. Go over and get on top
of the problem.
第3工場に何か問題がある。行って問題にしっかり対処してくれ
■NHKラジオ 実践ビジネス英語 A Great Place to Work (5) 5/8 2008
■意味を考えてみよう。今日取り上げる単語が含まれています。
What can we do to lend a helping hand?
On second thought I realized what a boon it can be
to employee morale, as well as personal convenience.
Perks like corporate concierge service cropped up
during the high-tech heydays in the 1990s.
I think the system works well if you don't end up
spending longer hours at your workplace.
It pays to be prepared.
──────────────────────────────
lend a helping hand, 手を貸す、救いの手を差し伸べる
──────────────────────────────
If you lend a hand, you help someone to do something. You
can also say that you lend someone a hand.
[E-DIC]
I'll ask Larry. He's always ready to lend a helping hand.
ラリーに頼んでみるよ。あいつはいつだって人に協力的だから
──────────────────────────────
on second thought, よく考えてみて、考え直した結果
──────────────────────────────
You can say on second thoughts or on second thought when you
suddenly change your mind about something that you are saying
or something that you have decided to do.
[E-DIC]
thoughtは《米》,thoughtsは《英》。
I felt perhaps I should speak to her at once, but on second
thought I decided to wait.
もしかして,すぐにでも彼女と話をすべきかとも思ったけど,
考え直してやはり待つことにした
──────────────────────────────
crop up, (不意に)出現する
──────────────────────────────
If something crops up, it appears or happens, usually
unexpectedly.
[E-DIC]
crop up もちあがる
予期しない出来事が持ち上がったときに使われる言い方。急な事情で
約束をキャンセルするときにも、まず例文のように切り出しておいて、
"I'm sorry but I can't..."と話をすすめていくとスムーズ。
まずいことになった。
A problem cropped up.
──────────────────────────────
end up, 結局…になる、…で終わる
──────────────────────────────
If you end up doing something after a period of time, you do
it even though you did not originally intend to.
[E-DIC]
I hoped to make a lot of money but ended up in debt.
大金を稼ぐつもりが,借金を抱え込む羽目になった
──────────────────────────────
pay, 割に合う
──────────────────────────────
If a course of action pays, it results in some advantage
or benefit for you.
If you describe a group of people or an event as a circus, you
disapproves of them because they attract a lot of attention but
do not achieve anything useful.
■意味を考えてみよう。今日取り上げる単語が含まれています。
I won't be surprised if staff pressure begins to win over
boards of directors.
I know it's worked wonders for me.
I can treat my kids to a day at the circus or a fishing
trip on Lake Michigan.
If nothing else, your productive time isn't sheared down.
And in my book, it's a major reason why Great Lakes is a
great place to work.
──────────────────────────────
win over, …を説き伏せる
──────────────────────────────
If you win someone over or win them round, you persuade them
to support you or agree with you.
[E-DIC}
win over 味方につける
いったいどうやって彼女を味方につけたのさ?
How did you ever win her over?
──────────────────────────────
work wonders, 驚異的な成果をもたらす、驚くほどよく効く
──────────────────────────────
If you say that a person or thing works wonders or does
wonders, you mean that they have a very good effect on
something.
You're too tired. A week's vacation will do wonders for you.
きみはとても疲れている。1週間休みを取れば嘘のように回復するよ
──────────────────────────────
treat someone to, (人)に…を奮発する
──────────────────────────────
If you treat someone to something special which they will
enjoy, you buy it or arrange it for them.
[E-DIC}
treat someone to a big night (out) (on the town)
大盤振る舞い(する)
大当たりしたんだ。ひとつ大盤振る舞いといこう。
I hit the jackpot. I'll treat you to a big night out on the town.
──────────────────────────────
shear down, …を刈り込む
──────────────────────────────
To shear a sheep means to cut its wool off.
ex) In the Hebrides they shear their sheep later than
anywhere else.
──────────────────────────────
in one's book, (人)の意見 [考え、判断] では
──────────────────────────────
[E-DIC}
in one's book …に言わせれば
このbookの本来の意味は「本」ではなく、list、つまり「名簿」で
ある。「好ましい人物の名簿」で、昔の言い方でHe's in my book.は
「私は彼が好きだ」を意味した。現在ではその使い方から発展して、
善し悪しについて自分の意見、判断を言う場合に「?に言わせれば」
とか「?の考えでは」の意で使う。
That woman is not to be trusted in my book.
私に言わせれば、あの女は信用できない
──────────────────────────────
その他にも、次も押さえておきたい。[誌面の都合上省略] ★は重要表現
──────────────────────────────
end up, 結局…になる、…で終る
そういうわけで安部さんの Please call me Abe-san. の潔さには
感動したのでした。
■NHKラジオ 実践ビジネス英語 A Great Place to Work (3) 5/2 2008
昼食を自分の机まで持ってきてくれるサービス、いいですねー。
うちの会社でもやって欲しい!
■意味を考えてみよう。今日取り上げる単語が含まれています。
There's a groundswell of corporate programs that provide
such benefits.
I heard the trend was kicked off by an Internet search
company.
I don't think it's a passing fad.
I haven't been this happy since we cornered the market
on lipstick that doesn't smear!
──────────────────────────────
groundswell, 盛り上がり、(世論などの)高まり
──────────────────────────────
A sudden growth of public feeling or support for something
is often called a groundswell. [JOURNALISM]
[フレーズ辞典]
groundswell 〔名〕世論などの高まり, 盛り上がり
Influence peddling on behalf of foreign governments with no
regard for human rights caused a groundswell of public protest.
人権をまったく無視した外国政府を利するためのロビー活動に対して,
世論の抗議が高まった.
──────────────────────────────
kick off, …を開始する [始める]
──────────────────────────────
If an event, game, series, or discussion kicks off,
or is kicked off, it begins.
[フレーズ辞典]
kick off 開始する, 始める
We will hold a major press conference in Tokyo for business
and travel writers to kick off the program.
──────────────────────────────
passing fad, 一時的な流行
──────────────────────────────
A passing fashion, activity, or feeling lasts for only
a short period of time and is not worth taking very seriously.
ex) Hamnett does not believe environmental concern
is a passing fad.
──────────────────────────────
corner a market, 市場を独占する
──────────────────────────────
If a company or place corners an area of trade, they gain
control over it so that no one else can have any success
in that area.
= monopolize
E-DICには「買い占める」とあります。
ex) This restaurant has cornered the Madrid market for
specialist paellas.
──────────────────────────────
smear, [動] こすれて汚す
──────────────────────────────
If you smear a surface with an oily or sticky substance
or smear the substance onto the surface, you spread a layer
of the substance over the surface.
ex) Smear a little olive oil over the inside of the salad bowl.
It's OK to work your butt off, but you sometimes need to
cut yourself some slack.
Maybe I grouch at times, but overall I enjoy the challenge
of selling products and raising profits year after year.
I chafed at the bit about personal chores that couldn't
be dealt with in work hours.
Lo and behold, Great Lakes has come to the rescue with
the corporate concierge service.
──────────────────────────────
cut someone some slack, (人)に息抜きさせてやる、(人)に手
加減する
──────────────────────────────
If you cut someone some slack, you make things slightly
easier for them than you normally would, because of their
special circumstances or situation.
[E-DIC]
You should always cut yourself some slack.
[E-DIC] 形容詞 grouchy
The boss gets grouchy anytime things don't go exactly his way.
In other words, he's just like a child.
うちの部長は何でも自分の思いどおりにならないと不機嫌になるんだ
要するに子供なのよ
──────────────────────────────
chafe at, …にやきもきする、…にいらだつ
──────────────────────────────
If you chafe at something such as a restriction, you feel
annoyed about it. [FORMAL]
ex) He was chafing under the company's new ownership.
chafe at/under/against と続くようです。
──────────────────────────────
lo and behold, 驚いたことに、何と
──────────────────────────────
Lo and behold or lo is used to emphasize a surprising event
that is about to be mentioned, or to emphasize in a humorous
way that something is not surprising at all.
[HUMOUROS or LITERARY]
[E-DIC]
The woman turned toward me. Lo and behold, it was my missing
sister!
女性がぼくのほうを向いた。なんと,行方不明だった妹だったんだ!
──────────────────────────────
come to the rescue, 救助にかけつける、救いの手を差し伸べる
──────────────────────────────
If you go to someone's rescue or come to their rescue,
you help them when they are in danger or difficulty.
[E-DIC]
I was behind schedule, but my secretary came to the rescue
by working until midnight.
仕事が予定より遅れていたが,秘書が夜中まで働いて助けてくれた
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その他にも、次も押さえておきたい。[誌面の都合上省略] ★は重要表現
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work one's butt off, [米口] 猛烈 [懸命] に働く
be on top of, (仕事など)をうまく処理している
on second thought, よく考えてみて、考え直した結果
カリフォルニア州カーメルはハリウッドに次ぐ彼の第2のふるさとなのです。
Carmel, California, is his home away from Hollywood.
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immensely, 非常に、計り知れないほど
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You use immensely to emphasize the degree or extent
of a quality, feeling, or process.
ex) I enjoyed this movie immensely.
[フレーズ辞典]
immense 〔形〕計り知れない
The immense vein of gold initially reported turned out to be
a huge hoax.
当初報道された計り知れない金の鉱脈は,大変な虚報であることが判明した
vein 鉱脈
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blurry, あいまいな、ぼんやりした
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A blurry shape is one that has an unclear outline.
ex) a blurry picture of a man
[フレーズ辞典]
blur 〔名〕ぼけ, 不鮮明
When fine print becomes a blur, it's time for eyeglasses.
こまかい活字がぼけてきたら,眼鏡が必要だということだ.
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incurable, 救いようのない、不治の
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You can use incurable to indicate that someone has a
particular quality or attitude and will not change.
ex) Poor old William is an incurable romantic.
[フレーズ辞典]
incurable 〔形〕不治の
Shoichi is turning into an incurable workaholic and never
leaves the office before 10 at night.
昭一は救い難い仕事中毒になり,今や夜10時前に会社を出ることは
決してない.
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その他にも、次も押さえておきたい。[誌面の都合上省略] ★は重要表現
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lend a helping hand, 手を貸す、救いの手を差し伸べる
envy, うらやむ
Grim Reaper, 死神
deathbed, 死の床
Death, 死神 DEATH NOTEってこのこと?