“人情债”常见的英文表达有 "favor debt" 或 "debt of gratitude",具体使用可根据语境选择:
1、 Favor debt
(直译,强调因他人帮助而产生的“人情负担”)
例句:
"I don't want to owe him a favor debt, so I'll pay for dinner myself."
(我不想欠他人情债,所以我自己付晚餐钱。)
2、 Debt of gratitude
(更正式,强调“感激之情”的债务感)
例句:
"They helped me through a tough time, and I feel a deep debt of gratitude."
(他们在我困难时帮助了我,我深感人情债难还。)
其他替代表达:"Obligation"(泛指“义务”,但缺乏“人情”的语境)
"Unspoken debt"(隐形的、未言明的债务感)
文化差异提示:英语中并无完全对应的直接翻译,因为“人情债”涉及东方文化中特有的“面子”和“关系”概念。若需更贴切的表达,可结合上下文补充说明,例如:
"In Chinese culture, owing someone a 'favor debt' means having an unspoken obligation to return their kindness."
(在中国文化中,“欠人情债”意味着有未言明的义务回报对方的善意。)