Meaning
"I can't afford to"는 경제적 또는 시간적 여유가 없어 어떤 행동이나 선택을 할 수 없음을 나타내는 표현입니다. 이 문장은 주로 특정 행동이나 결정을 할 때 경제적인 부담이 되는 상황에서 사용됩니다.
예를 들어 "I can't afford to buy a new car"라고 하면, 새로운 차를 살 만큼의 돈이 없다는 의미입니다. 이 문장은 단순히 물리적인 비용뿐만 아니라, 시간이나 에너지가 부족할 때도 사용할 수 있습니다. 예를 들어 "I can't afford to waste time on this"는 이 일에 시간을 낭비할 여유가 없다는 뜻으로 해석됩니다.
이 표현은 일상적인 대화에서 자주 사용되며, 자신의 현재 상황을 설명하거나 어떤 결정을 내릴 때 이유를 제공하는 데 유용합니다. "I can't afford to" 뒤에는 주로 동사 원형이 오며, 이로 인해 구체적인 행동이나 결정을 명확히 나타냅니다.
따라서 "I can't afford to"는 경제적, 시간적, 또는 에너지적인 제약을 설명할 때 매우 유용한 표현입니다.
Today's Sentences
- I can’t afford to travel.
- I can’t afford to lose you.
- I can’t afford to get married.
- I can’t afford to eat out often.
- I can’t afford to buy luxury goods.
- Writer's Note
01
I can’t afford to travel.
Situation 1
What are you doing this weekend?
I’m flying to New York for a few days.
Really?
I can’t afford to travel.
나는 여행할 여유가 없어.
Neither can I.
I just save a lot and look for deals.
나는 그냥 많이 저축하고 좋은 거래를 찾아봐.
Situation 2
What’s your goal this year?
I’d love to go on vacation.
But I can’t afford to travel.
하지만 여행할 여유가 없어요.
No doubt, trips cost a lot.
If I were you, I’d plan ahead!
제가 당신이라면 미리 계획을 세우겠어요!
I guess making a plan would be a smarter way to travel.
02
I can’t afford to lose you.
Situation 1
Are we breaking up?
I think it’s time to go our separate ways.
I can’t afford to lose you.
It’ll ruin me.
그것은 저를 망칠 거예요.
I don’t see any other way.
I can’t ignore the cheating and lies.
부정행위와 거짓말을 무시할 수 없어요.
Situation 2
I’m here to tell you that I’m leaving the company.
I can’t afford to lose you.
We need someone like you to lead the team.
우리 팀을 이끌 사람으로 당신과 같은 사람이 필요합니다.
I’m sorry, I wish things were different.
But I’ve already made up my mind.
하지만 이미 마음을 정했어요.
Okay, I respect your decision.
I’ll let HR know.
인사부에 알려드리겠습니다.
03
I can’t afford to get married.
Situation 1
You should tell her the truth.
But she wants me to propose.
If you don’t tell her that you’re having money problems, she’ll misunderstand your actions.
I guess I should tell her that I can’t afford to get married.
Situation 2
I can’t afford to get married.
Who can?
A wedding is a significant expense.
결혼식은 상당한 비용이 듭니다.
I don’t think she’s open to other options though.
I think you should discuss the situation with her.
04
I can’t afford to eat out often.
Situation 1
Do you wanna join us for Wing Night on Friday?
I can’t afford to eat out often.
It’s okay.
Just bring some cash and we can share.
현금을 좀 가져오면 함께 나눌 수 있어요.
I wouldn’t be comfortable with that.
But thank you for inviting me.
하지만 초대해 주셔서 감사합니다.
Situation 2
How come you always pack your lunch?
I can’t afford to eat out often.
Are you saving up for something?
Actually, I’m saving toward a down payment for a condo.
05
I can’t afford to buy luxury goods.
Situation 1
Did you get a new wallet?
Yea, I went shopping this weekend.
It’s really nice.
I can’t afford to buy luxury goods.
저는 사치품을 살 여유가 없어요.
I used to think that way.
But I stopped spending on the little things to buy a better quality product.
하지만 더 나은 품질의 제품을 사기 위해 작은 것들에 지출을 멈추었습니다.
Situation 2
I can’t afford to buy luxury goods.
I don’t know many people who can actually afford them financially.
People seem to want to show off their wealth and higher status.
It might be about feeling self-worth through the act of purchasing the finer things in life.
Writer's Note
"Can't" is used in the present tense to express a lack of ability. Here are some examples of "can't" + verb to express things you cannot do.
- I can't stand properly with these heels.
- You can't eat junk food for dinner.
- We can't spoil our kids this way.
- He can't see her because she's in ICU.
- She can't expect people to give her all the attention she wants.
- Our company can't serve the needs of our senior staff any longer.
- I can't imagine all the pain you must be going through.
- You can't undo what has already been done.
What kind of things do you usually advise not to do? What kind of warnings do you give members of your family, using the word "can't"? Don't be shy, share your sentences!
