冊 4 · 現代慣用語與口語潤滑 · Lesson 25
時間與優先
Time & Priority: ASAP, by EOD, in the loop
時間套語有文化：ASAP 常變噪音；C1 改給明確截止與優先級。
對比
| 較不自然／易錯 | 更自然的美式 | 說明 |
|---|---|---|
| ASAP!!! | Needed by 3 p.m. today. / Blocking others—need today. | 給原因＋時間 |
| Do it when you can.（太飄） | Anytime before Thursday works. | 給窗格 |
| EOD 不說時區 | EOD CT / by 5 p.m. your time | 遠距必備 |
| It's urgent.（每件事） | P1 vs P2；這次真的擋路 | 優先級紀律 |
規則／用法
- 明確優於模糊：by Tuesday 3 p.m. CT > ASAP。
- 常用：by EOD, COB（close of business）, EOW, close of play（較英式，美式少）。
- 優先：blocking / non-blocking；need eyes on；quick turn。
- 禮貌窗：when you get a chance（真的不急）；若急不要用這句。
現代例句
- 房產
Need a quick turn on the addendum—before lunch CT.
附約需要快修，CT 中午前。
- 投資
This is blocking the appraisal order.
這卡住估價下單。
- 生活
No rush on the thrift-store mirrors; next week is fine.
二手鏡不急，下週可以。
- 房產
Let's timebox this repair debate to ten minutes.
維修爭論限時十分鐘。
- 投資
If I don't hear back by EOW, I'll assume we're pausing.
EOW 前沒回就當暫停。
- 生活
I'm slammed today; can we grocery-shop tomorrow?
今天爆忙，明天再採買可以嗎？
跟讀短文
約 80 words · TTS（瀏覽器語音）
Need a quick turn on page two of the addendum—ideally before lunch Central Time. This missing survey is blocking the appraisal order. No rush on lifestyle photos for the listing; next week is fine. Let's timebox the contractor debate to fifteen minutes and then decide. If I don't hear back by end of week, I'll assume we're pausing the offer. Specific deadlines beat ASAP every time, especially across time zones when lenders, title, and agents don't share a hallway.
附約第二頁需要快修，最好中午 CT 前。缺測量圖會卡住估價下單。掛牌生活照不急，下週可以。承包商爭論限時十五分鐘，然後做決定。若週結束前沒回音，我就當出價暫停。明確截止永遠勝過 ASAP，尤其貸方、產權、經紀人各在不同時區時。
慣用語包
by EOD / EOW
今日／本週結束前
職場
no rush
不急
口語／中性
slammed
忙到爆
口語
timebox
限時討論／作業
職場
迷你練習
- 把 ASAP 改成可執行截止。
- 用 blocking 說明為何要優先。
- 寫一句：不急，但最好週三前。