Podcast
The English We Speak (+Texts)
Hosted by granosdecafe · EN
Make the English you speak sound more natural with The English We Speak from bbclearningenglish.com. Every week, we look at a different everyday English phrase or piece of slang in this fun three-minute programme.
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Wee dram
Mar 24, 201300:03:28Tap to summarizeFinn: Welcome to The English We Speak, I'm Finn. Wang Fei: And I'm Wang Fei. So, what English word do we have today? Finn: Well, Wang Fei, today's English word is actually a Scottish one! Wang Fei: A Scottish phrase on The English We Speak? Finn: That’s right. Wang Fei: Finn, I know you're from Scotland, but this is The English We Speak, not the Scottish! Finn: Not the Scottish I know, but actually, Wang Fei, this is a word that is very widely used. Wang Fei: Ok, what's the word, then? Finn: Today's word is wee. Wang Fei: Wii – oh, I know! Isn't that a kind of Japanese game console? Surely that's The Japanese We Speak?! Finn: No, not that Wii! That Wii is spelt W-I-I, and the word I mean is spelt W-E-E. And it means… small or little. Wang Fei: Ok – so that's very nice and easy to remember! Finn: It is. Quite often, you'll hear it together with the word 'bit'. A wee bit. Listen to these examples. Examples I might be a wee bit late, please just wait for me. You're looking a wee bit tired, are you ok? I'm a wee bit hungry, fancy getting a sandwich? Wang Fei: So a wee bit is just like a little bit. How else can we use this word, Finn? Finn: Well a wee bit is probably what you'll hear most often. What do you think it means in this sentence? Example When I was wee, I used to eat to love climbing trees! Wang Fei: When I was wee… is that when I was young? Finn: That's right – when I was young, when I was wee - though you'll more likely hear Scottish people say this! And there is another phrase using wee which I'm going to tell you in a moment, but first – tell me, what is the most famous Scottish drink, Wang Fei? Wang Fei: That’s easy – whisky! Finn: Whisky – yes it is! Do you like whisky? Wang Fei: Oh, yes, but it’s a bit strong, isn’t it! Maybe I would just have a small glass. Finn: Well, we have a word for a glass of whisky, which is a dram. Wang Fei: A dram. Finn: That’s right, D-R-A-M, a dram. Wang Fei: Mm, a dram. Finn: So if you want a small dram, what do you say? Wang Fei: Can I have a wee dram? Finn: Can I have a wee dram – that’s it! Really? Would you like a wee dram, Wang Fei? Wang Fei: OK, great, yeah! Finn: We're in the studio! Wang Fei: Yes, maybe later! Finn: Maybe later! Wang Fei: Well, that's the word for today, wee, W-E-E. Finn: If you have time, why not have a wee look at our website! Wang Fei: Mm – and it's bbclearningenglish.com! Finn: That’s right, bye for now! Wang Fei: Bye.
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Green
Mar 24, 201300:03:33Tap to summarizeWang Fei: Welcome to The English We Speak. I'm Wang Fei! Finn: And I'm Finn! Wang Fei: Finn has decided to take us out for a ride on his new motorbike today and he's very proud of it. Finn: I am, very proud of it. I thought it would be good to get out of the studio. Look at all the beautiful, green fields around us, Wang Fei. Wang Fei: Yes, beautiful green fields. That's the word for the day isn't it: green? Finn: Green, yes! Wang Fei: A bit easy, isn't it? Everyone knows the colour green! Finn: The colour green? No, not that meaning, Wang Fei! Wang Fei: So, what do you mean? Green as in good for the environment? Finn: No, not that green either! Wang Fei: Oh, ok, maybe another green? Oh ok, maybe, green with envy? I know that phrase, that means to envy somebody, doesn't it? Finn: Yes, that's right. But what are you envious about, Wang Fei? That's not what we're… oh! ... ahhh! FX - CRASH Both: Ow! Wang Fei: Finn, you are a terrible, terrible driver! Finn: I know. Wang Fei: Will you tell me what this green means?! Finn: I'm sorry Wang Fei. What I mean is I'm very green at riding motorbikes, that's what I wanted to say. Green means inexperienced or new to something. Wang Fei: Oh, I see. So when do we use it? Finn: Well, normally we use it to describe someone who is new to a particular job or skill. Wang Fei: Ooh, I see. But I'm not feeling good. So why don't we listen to some examples for a moment? I'm a bit green at video editing, so it takes me a long time to edit things. He's a bit green in this job so he's bound to need some help. My uncle's very green at searching the internet. He prefers to go to the library. Finn: Ok, time to go again, Wang Fei! Wang Fei: (To himself) Hmm. But I'm still not feeling that great to be honest… FX - BIKE STARTS Finn: What was that, Wang Fei? Wang Fei: Oh nothing. Let's go. Finn: Wow, what beautiful countryside… Wang Fei: Gosh, I'm really feeling ill to be honest. I'm worried we're going to crash again. Finn: Wang Fei, what did you say? Are you ok? Wang Fei: Not really. Finn: Oh no, you look bad. You've gone green! Wang Fei: What? Finn: You've gone green – it means you look ill! Wang Fei: Another green phrase… Finn – can't you just concentrate on your driving! Finn: Ok, sorry. OK then! Bye everyone… Wang Fei: And wish me luck. Bye.
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