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''I like it''≠"我喜歡(它)'' ?!

2024年8月21日

**"I like it" Doesn't Mean "我喜欢(它)"**

 

 

This topic is very interesting. I remember a few years ago, when I didn't yet understand that "I like it" doesn't mean "我喜欢(它)," something embarrassing happened.

 

 

At that time, I was responsible for hosting a British professor. We went to a 小吃店 xiǎo chī diàn(street food stall) and ordered 皮蛋豆腐pí dàn dòu fǔ (century egg tofu). I asked the professor if he liked this special dish. He said, "I like it!" and very politely ate the whole plate of 皮蛋豆腐pí dàn dòu fǔ(century egg tofu).

 

 

At the time, I really thought he liked 皮蛋豆腐pí dàn dòu fǔ(century egg tofu). Later, I bought a box of 皮蛋pí dàn (century eggs) at the supermarket to give to him, eagerly anticipating his surprised expression.

 

 

When he received the 皮蛋pí dàn (century eggs), he did show a surprised expression. But this surprise was more like "shock."

 

 

After that, I started seriously studying the true meaning of "I like it." For native English speakers, it doesn't really mean "I like it." More often, it can mean "it's okay," "not bad," or "actually it's alright," and sometimes it even means "I don't really like it, but I have to respond politely."

 

 

Compared to the Chinese "我喜欢(它)," there's actually quite a significant difference in degree.

 

 

In Chinese, in such situations, we might say, 還不錯,但是我不太習慣hái bú cuò, dàn shì wǒ bú tài xí guàn (It's not bad, but I'm not quite used to it.)

 

 

I would like to ask all native English speakers, what do you think?

 

 

"I like it" Doesn't Mean "我喜欢(它),是嗎?

 

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