Meaning
意思： “Do you mean”可以翻译为“你的意思是…吗？”或“你指的是…吗？”。这个表达用于确认对方的意思，以避免误解。
使用场合：
- 当你对某人的陈述感到困惑时，可以使用“Do you mean”来请求澄清。例如，如果有人说了一件让你不太明白的事情，你可以问：“Do you mean that we should meet earlier?”（你的意思是我们应该早点见面吗？）
- 在讨论或辩论中，“Do you mean”可以帮助确保你正确理解对方的观点。
- 在学习语言或文化时，这个表达可以帮助你更清楚地理解对方的表达方式。
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!
确保你吃得健康，并尝试在期间进行短暂的休息！
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!
看来我认识的人都在这里！
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?
我该告诉这些客人什么呢？
Situation 2
Is everything ok?
You were crying so much on the phone.
你在电话里哭得很厉害。
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.
只是他离开去墨尔本大学上学了。
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.
你的妻子刚刚开始分娩。
Do you mean she’s about to have her baby?
Very much so.
She’s dilated 4cm already.
她已经扩张到4厘米了。
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?
