字面直译为“给某人一个恩惠”,实际表达的是“帮某人一个忙”(口语中最常用的“请求/描述帮忙”的短语,比“help sb.”更强调“具体的、需对方额外付出的小恩小惠”)。
该短语的关键是“请求/说明具体的帮忙动作”,常见结构和场景如下:
用Could/Would/Can you do me a favour? 开头(礼貌请求),后面可接具体要对方做的事:
结构1:do sb. a favour + (by) doing sth. (by可省略,后接动名词)
例:Could you do me a favour (by) turning off the lights?(你能帮我关下灯吗?)
结构2:do sb. a favour + to do sth. (后接不定式,更正式)
例:Would you do me the favour to pass the salt?(麻烦你帮我递下盐可以吗?)
结构3:do sb. a favour + and do sth. (用and连接并列动作,最口语化)
例:Can you do me a favour and pick up my package?(你能帮我个忙,去取一下我的快递吗?)
在favour前加big,表示“帮了个大忙”(程度更深):
例:She did me a big favour by lending me her car when mine broke down.(我的车坏了时,她把车借给我,帮了我大忙。)
肯定回应请求:Sure, what is it?(当然,什么事?)/No problem.(没问题。)
否定回应请求:Sorry, I can't. I'm in a hurry.(抱歉,我不行,我赶时间。)
描述过去的帮忙:He did me a favour last week by fixing my computer.(上周他帮我修电脑,帮了我一把。)
owe sb. a favour:欠某人一个人情(因为对方之前帮过自己)
例:I owe you a favour after you helped me with my exam.(你帮我复习考试,我欠你个人情。)
return a favour:还人情(报答对方的帮忙)
例:I'll return your favour by buying you coffee.(我请你喝咖啡,还你这个人情。)
sb.要用宾格:后面接“人”时,必须用代词宾格(me/him/her/us/them)或名词所有格(比如do Mary a favour)。
口语化属性:该短语非常日常,适合朋友、同事等非正式场合;正式场合可换用“assist sb.”或“give sb. a hand”,但“do sb. a favour”更自然。
"do sb. a favour" 是“请求/描述具体帮忙”的万能口语表达,核心是“把要对方做的事说清楚”。掌握它,你就能轻松用英语向别人求助啦!