Vicki: This is Real English from BBC¹ Learning² English. I'm Vicki.

Chen Li: 我是陈藜，在纯正英语节目里我们将学习英语世界里出现的新单词，新词组及新用语。那么 Vicki, 今天我们要学习的是什么呢？

Vicki: Today's new expression is 'face to face'.

Chen Li: Face to face? 是什么意思？可以解释一下吗？

Vicki: Well, face to face is an expression that means³ in person, close to, and looking at the other person.

Chen Li: 看来 face to face 就是亲自, 和他人进行面对面的谈话。

Vicki: Yes. You use it when you actually meet the person.

Chen Li: 我明白了，可以举个例子吗？

Vicki: Ok – you could say, "I prefer speaking face to face. I don't really like talking on the telephone."

Chen Li: 显然通过电话是不可能做到面对面交谈的。

Vicki: No. Telephone and e-mail are not face to face. Face to face means meeting in person.

Example

A: How's your new job going?

B: I hate it! I never speak to anyone face to face anymore. It's so depressing⁴.

C: Have you heard? Anna's got a new boyfriend.

D: Yes, they met on the internet. They only met face to face last week for the first time.

Vicki: Do you prefer to talk face to face?

Chen Li: 当然啦。

Vicki: Me too. It is much nicer to see someone face to face than have a conversation by telephone.

Chen Li: 说的没错。Face to face 更强调私人化。

Vicki: I agree. But sometimes it is impossible.

Chen Li: 你说的是什么意思?

Vicki: Well, if your friends live far away, you need to use the telephone or e-mail. You can't speak face to face.

Chen Li: 那的确是很可惜的。

Vicki: Yes, but it is better than nothing.

Chen Li: 好了，节目也快接近尾声了， 我们来复习一下吧。

Vicki: Face to face.

Chen Li: 意思就是亲身面对面的和他人交谈。

Vicki: You've been listening to Real English from BBC Learning English. Join us again soon for more up-to-the-minute Real English. Bye.

Chen Li: 再见。