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Conversation 1
A: Do you need any help?B: No, thank you. I’m fine.
Conversation 2
A: Here, let me help you!
B: Oh, thanks a lot!
Conversation 3
A: Is there anything I can do for you?
B: Yes, could you help me get a train ticket?
Conversation 4
A: Do you have any questions about Beijing?
B: Yes, a lot.
Conversation 5
A: Could you do me a favor?
B: Sure, I’d be glad to.
Conversation 6
A: Excuse me, could you lend me some of your records?
B: Until when?
A: Until Monday or Tuesday of next week.
B: No problem.
Conversation 7
A: I was wondering if you’d let me stay here for a few days.
B: It really depends on when and how long.
A: Until next weekend, if that’s OK.
Asking for information or help is a very common and necessary activity, especially when we visit a foreign country. So knowing how to ask for information politely is important. In English, “Where are the restrooms?” and “Could you please tell me where the restrooms are?” are similar requests — both are correct English, but the first could sound rude. It’s important to use correct language, but sometimes this alone is not enough — we need to learn how to be polite when we make requests.
In English, just like in Chinese, we change the way we speak when talking with different people. The expressions you use might depend on whom you are speaking to or how well you know them. If you say to your teacher, “Where is my book?” this will sound rude. But if you say, “Excuse me, Mr. West. Do you know where my book is?” your question will sound much more polite. On the other hand, it might be alright to say“Where is my book?” in some situations, perhaps with people you know well. And you would not usually say, “Peter, lend me your pen.” A very direct order like this can sound rude in English. Usually in English polite questions are longer and include extra language, such as “Could you please…?” or “Can I ask…?” It sounds more polite to say, “Peter, could you please lend me your pen?”
Sometimes we might even need to spend some time leading in to a question or request. For example, if you stop a stranger in the street, we might first say, “Excuse me. I wonder if you can help me.” or “I’m sorry to trouble you but,” before asking them for help.
It might seem that speaking politely is more difficult than being direct, and in a way this may be true. However, in order not to offend ( 冒犯 , 得罪 ) people, learning about the language etiquette ( 礼节 , 礼仪 ) is just as important as learning grammar or vocabulary. And doing this will also help you become better at English, or any other language you wish to speak.
1．Asking for Help ( 请求帮助 )
Help! 救命！
Excuse me. 打扰一下。
I wonder if you could help me. 不知你可不可以帮助我。
Would you please open the door for me? 请你帮忙开门好吗？
May I ask you a question? 我可以问个问题吗？
Please give me a hand. 请帮我个忙。
Would / Could you do me a favor? 能请你帮个忙吗？
Would you help me remove the refrigerator? 能帮忙移一下冰箱吗？
Get me my coat, please. 请帮我把外套拿来。
Make me a cup of coffee, will you? 给我冲杯咖啡，好吗？
Could you tell me where I can find these books? 你能告诉我在哪里可以找到这些书吗？
Would you mind closing the window for me? 你能帮我关一下窗吗？
2．Response ( 回答 )
Yes, of course. 当然可以。
Certainly. 当然可以。
No problem. 没问题。
With pleasure. 非常乐意。
I’d love to. 非常乐意。
I’d like to help in some way if I can. 只要我能做的，我很愿意帮忙。 Not at all. 当然不介意。
I’m sorry I can’t. 对不起，我不能。
I’m afraid I can’t. 我恐怕不能。
I’m sorry. I’m engaged now. 对不起，我现在正忙着。
I’d like to, but I’m afraid I don’t have the time. 我很乐意，但我恐怕没有时间。 I’m glad to, but I'm afraid I don’t have the time. 我很乐意，但我恐怕没有时间。
Sorry, I need it myself. 对不起，我自己也需要它。
3．Offering Help ( 主动提供帮助 )
May I help you? 我能帮助你吗？
Can I help you? 我能帮助你吗？
May (Can) I do anything for you? 我能为效劳吗？
Is there anything I can do for you? 我能为您效劳吗？
Can I do anything to help you? 我能为您效劳吗？
What can I do for you? 有什么需要帮忙的吗？
Would you like me to call a taxi for you? 要不要我帮您叫一辆出租车？