Meaning
- 確認情報： 當你聽到一個資訊，但不確定是否理解正確時，你可以問「Do you mean…？」例如：「Do you mean we have a meeting tomorrow?」（你的意思是我們明天有會議嗎？）
- 澄清細節： 當對方的話包含不清楚的細節，你可以用「Do you mean…」來要求澄清。例如：「Do you mean I should call him later?」（你的意思是我應該晚點打給他嗎？）
- 避免誤解： 在涉及重要信息時，使用這個短語可以有效避免誤解，確保雙方在同一頁面上。
Today's Sentences
- Do you mean you’re going to be late?
- Do you mean that these gifts are for me?
- Do you mean you’re not getting married?
- Do you mean that he moved to Australia?
- Do you mean she’s about to have her baby?
- Writer's Note
01
Do you mean you’re going to be late?
Situation 1
I think I have to work overtime.
Do you mean you’re going to be late?
Yes, I’ll be home around 10.
Okay, I’ll let the guests know that you won’t be here for dinner.
Situation 2
I forgot to tell you that I have to pull an all-nighter for the paper.
Do you mean you’re going to be late?
Yes, I forgot I had a paper due tomorrow.
Okay.
Make sure you eat healthy and try to take short breaks in between!
請確保飲食健康，並嘗試在期間進行短暫休息！
02
Do you mean that these gifts are for me?
Situation 1
Surprise!
What are all these boxes here for?
They’re gifts for you!
Do you mean that these gifts are for me?
Situation 2
Happy Birthday!
Wow!
Looks like everyone I know is here!
看來我認識的所有人都在這裡！
And these are for you!
Do you mean that these gifts are for me?
03
Do you mean you’re not getting married?
Situation 1
Why are you crying?
He left me.
Do you mean you’re not getting married?
Yes, I’m not getting married anymore.
What will I tell all these guests?
我該怎麼告訴這些賓客呢？
Situation 2
Is everything ok?
You were crying so much on the phone.
你在電話裡哭得很厲害。
We broke up.
Do you mean you’re not getting married?
I’m afraid the wedding is off.
04
Do you mean that he moved to Australia?
Situation 1
How are you and your boyfriend doing?
Good.
Except that he left to go to attend the University of Melbourne.
除了他離開去就讀University of Melbourne。
Do you mean that he moved to Australia?
Yes, he left yesterday.
Situation 2
He just got a new job in Canberra.
Do you mean that he moved to Australia?
He hasn’t moved yet but yes, he’s going to Australia.
When does he leave?
05
Do you mean she’s about to have her baby?
Situation 1
You’d better pack your bags and come to the hospital.
Your wife just started labour.
你的妻子剛剛開始分娩。
Do you mean she’s about to have her baby?
Very much so.
She’s dilated 4cm already.
她已經擴張到4公分了。
I’ll be there as soon as I can.
Situation 2
I think you should come down to the hospital whenever you can.
Do you mean she’s about to have her baby?
Yes, your wife’s in labour.
Okay, thank you for calling. I’ll be there ASAP.
Writer's Note
We usually use "Do you mean" when we haven't understood or need clarification of what was said. Remember that body language and tone of voice play a big part in how your question is delivered.
For example, if you ask "Do you mean" with a negative facial expression while shrugging your shoulders, you don't relay a positive attitude. The receiver may feel that you aren't respectful of them.
Looking at the Speakers in the pictures above, what facial expression and body language would you prefer to be asked 'Do you mean you're going to be late?'. Given that both Speakers ask the same question, I would guess that the receiver would rather communicate with Speaker A. How about you? What situations have you been through where you were spoken to with no respect or no consideration?
