Meaning
意思： 當你說「I can't afford to」，通常是指你無法承擔某件事情的成本或後果。這可能是因為經濟條件不允許，或者因為其他限制因素。例如，你可能說「I can't afford to buy a new car」，這表示你沒有足夠的錢來購買新車。
用法： 這個表達可以用在多種情境中，不僅限於金錢。例如：
- 「I can't afford to waste time on this project.」這表示你沒有多餘的時間可以浪費在這個項目上。
- 「I can't afford to make mistakes in this exam.」這表示在這場考試中，你不能犯錯，可能因為這次考試對你非常重要。
簡而言之，當你需要表達自己在某方面受到限制時，使用「I can't afford to」是一個簡單且直接的方法。
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.
我負擔不起旅行。
Neither can I.
I just save a lot and look for deals.
我只是會存很多錢，然後尋找優惠。
Situation 2
What’s your goal this year?
你今年的目標是什麼？
I’d love to go on vacation.
But I can’t afford to travel.
但我負擔不起旅行的費用。
No doubt, trips cost a lot.
If I were you, I’d plan ahead!
如果我是你，我會提前計畫！
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.
這將毀了我。
I don’t see any other way.
I can’t ignore the cheating and lies.
我無法忽視作弊和謊言。
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.
我們需要像你這樣的人來領導團隊。
I’m sorry, I wish things were different.
But I’ve already made up my mind.
但是我已經下定決心了。
Okay, I respect your decision.
I’ll let HR know.
我會告訴HR。
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.
婚禮是一項重大的開支。
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.
只要帶點現金來，我們可以一起分擔。
I wouldn’t be comfortable with that.
But thank you for inviting me.
但謝謝你的邀請。
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.
我無法負擔購買奢侈品。
I used to think that way.
But I stopped spending on the little things to buy a better quality product.
但我停止在小東西上花錢，以購買更高品質的產品。
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!
