Meaning
Today's Sentences
- I wouldn’t want you to be late.
- I wouldn’t want you to get sick.
- I wouldn’t want you to be alone.
- I wouldn’t want you to eat too much.
- I wouldn’t want you to get into a fight.
- Writer's Note
01
I wouldn’t want you to be late.
Situation 1
Thanks for coming to visit me.
What are you doing later?
您待会儿要做什么？
I’m gonna go visit my Grandma.
How are you for time?
I wouldn’t want you to be late.
我不想让你迟到。
I’ve got about 30 minutes before I should get going.
Situation 2
It’s been great catching up with you.
Likewise.
It’s so good to hear that you’re doing well.
听到你过得很好，真是太好了。
Are you okay for time?
I wouldn’t want you to be late.
我不希望您迟到。
Actually, I should get going.
I’ve gotta pick up the kids from school.
我得去接孩子放学。
02
I wouldn’t want you to get sick.
Situation 1
You should wear something warmer.
Like a sweater or jacket?
The mornings are getting chillier
I wouldn’t want you to get sick.
我不希望你生病。
Okay.
Situation 2
Are you coughing?
Yes, I’ve got a bit of a sore throat.
Can I pick up some medicine for you?
I wouldn’t want you to get sick.
我不希望您生病。
If you can, that would be helpful.
I’ve got a sore throat, cough, and sneezing.
我喉咙痛，还有咳嗽和打喷嚏。
03
I wouldn’t want you to be alone.
Situation 1
I’m gonna walk home.
I can give you a ride.
I wouldn’t want you to be alone.
我不想让你一个人。
It’s okay.
It’s just a few blocks away.
就在几个街区之外。
Alright.
Let me know when you get home.
到家后告诉我。
Situation 2
My friends were over but they just left.
Are you okay?
I wouldn’t want you to be alone.
我不希望你一个人待着。
I’m okay.
I’ll just clean up a bit before my family gets home.
我会在家人回来之前稍微打扫一下。
Well, let me know if you need some company.
04
I wouldn’t want you to eat too much.
Situation 1
Thanks for preparing all this food.
You’re welcome.
It was my pleasure.
这是我的荣幸。
I just might overeat!
Don’t do that.
I wouldn’t want you to eat too much.
我不希望你吃得太多。
Situation 2
Is this plate all for me?
It is.
But you don’t have to finish it.
但你不必完成它。
It looks really good.
I wouldn’t want you to eat too much.
05
I wouldn’t want you to get into a fight.
Situation 1
My husband tries to help around the house.
He takes out the garbage and does the dishes.
Really? No one ever helps me at our house.
I should ask him why he never does things for me.
我应该问问他为什么从来不为我做事。
I wouldn’t want you to get into a fight.
Some things need to be said.
Situation 2
Well, I don’t think she can be trusted.
Why?
I wouldn’t want you to get into a fight.
So I’m telling you now that she’s been lying.
所以我现在告诉你，她一直在撒谎。
Thanks for letting me know.
Writer's Note
It is a contraction of "would not", which makes it sound more natural in conversation. While the literal translation to "Why would not want you to" is grammatically correct, it sounds awkward and is rarely used in modern English. The contraction "wouldn't" helps the sentence flow better and makes it sound more conversational.
