4. “I'm not the best person to help on this. Why don't you try X?”
“我不是这项任务的最佳人选。要不你们看看X行不行?”
If you feel that you can not contribute much to the task, have no time or lack the resources, do not beat around the bush! Let the person know it up front. This, however, does not mean that you can not be helpful. You can still refer the person to a lead they can follow up on.
如果你觉得你不能在任务中投入太多精力,没有那么多时间或缺少资源,那就不要拐弯抹角!让别人知道。这样,别人就不会觉得你没有帮忙。你可以推荐他人供他们参考。
5. “I can't do this, but I can do ____ (less commitment)。”
“我不能这样做,但是我可以 ___(做出较少的承诺)。”
This is another variation of the previous method. You are saying “No” to a request, but you are still offering your help on your own terms, choosing the easier, less time-consuming commitment.
这是前面那种方法的变种。你虽然是对别人的请求说“不”,但是你仍然提供帮助,选择相对简单、需要较少时间的方式。
6. “You look great, but ___ does not do you justice”
“你看上去很棒,但是___不是很适合你。”
This is a great way to diplomatically express your opinion when someone asks you a question about their appearance, without hurting the other person's feelings (especially if the person asking you is your friend, your superior or your spouse)。
当别人问你外貌方面的问题时,这是一个既能表达出你的想法却又不伤害别人情感的好方法。(尤其当那个人是你的朋友、上级或配偶时)。
7. “That sounds great, but I just can't put one more thing on my calendar for the next few weeks. Let me call you ___ (specific time range)。”
“听起来很不错,但是接下来的几周,我的行程已经排得满满的了。等我在__时(具体的时间范围内)打电话通知你。”
Sometimes you might get a proposal, an idea or a request that sounds interesting. But considering the amount of tasks on your to-do list, you do not feel like taking another commitment just yet.
有时你可能会得到一个有趣的提议、想法或请求。但考虑到你任务清单上的内容, 你可能不想做出其他承诺。
In this case, instead of saying a straight out “No”, you are giving yourself time to reflect before making a final decision: “Let me call you ___ (specific time range)。”
在这种情况下,与其直接说“不”, 不如争取时间想想再做决定:“等我在__时(具体的时间范围内)打电话通知你。”
However, if you are not interested, do not leave the person hanging on. Use other ways to say “No” that are more definitive (e.g. methods #1,#2 or #3)。 It is more disappointing when the person is counting on you and you let them down.
然而,要是你不感兴趣的话,就不要让别人等待。使用另外几种明确说“不”的方式。(如方法#1、#2或#3)。如果别人指望你,而你让他们扫兴的话,那样会更令人失望的。