科技词汇更新得很快,但有一套稳定的核心词汇几乎能应付所有日常场景,而其中动词——几乎全都是短语动词——比名词更重要。
设备
laptop · desktop · tablet · smartphone · charger · cable · screen · keyboard · mouse · headphones · printer · router
有两个词值得区分清楚:hardware 指实体设备,software 指在设备上运行的程序。App 指手机上的应用,program 则是更传统的、指"桌面软件"的说法。
支撑一切的动词
- turn on / off · switch on / off——电源开关
- plug in / unplug——插上/拔掉(物理连接)
- charge——My phone's charging. / The battery's dead.
- log in / log out——账户登录/登出(也说 sign in / sign out)
- download / upload——下载/上传
- install / uninstall / update——安装/卸载/更新
- back up——做备份
- restart / reboot——万能的第一个应对办法
- crash / freeze——崩溃/卡死
用手操作的动作
click · tap · swipe · scroll · drag · zoom in / out · copy and paste · save · share · sync · stream · mute · block
请注意:页面是 scroll down,屏幕是 swipe left;而 copy 是复制 to 剪贴板,然后 paste into 文档中。
网络相关
account · password · username · two-factor authentication · Wi-Fi · connection · browser · tab · link · attachment · cloud · storage · notification · settings · privacy · subscription
- What's the Wi-Fi password?
- I've lost the connection.
- Could you send it as an attachment?
- It's in the cloud.
- I'm running out of storage.
视频通话中
如今这是整个主题里最实用的一组表达,每一句都是固定说法:
| 表达 | 含义 |
|---|---|
| You're on mute. | 大家听不到你,麦克风关着 |
| You're breaking up. | 信号在断断续续 |
| Can you share your screen? | 请分享你的屏幕 |
| I'll drop off and rejoin. | 我先退出再重新加入 |
| Sorry, you cut out there. | 刚才没听清,信号断了 |
| Can everyone hear me all right? | 确认大家能听清 |
网络安全
scam · phishing(骗取密码的伪装邮件)· spam · virus · hack · data breach
- I think that email's a scam — don't click the link.
- My account was hacked.
- Use a strong password, and don't reuse it.
出问题的时候
- It's not responding.
- It's frozen.
- The app keeps crashing.
- It won't connect.(won't 表示"拒绝",不是将来时)
- I'm getting an error message.
- Have you tried turning it off and on again?
«It won't start» 是描述设备拒绝工作的自然说法:这里的 won't 表示拒绝,而不是将来时态。
如何精确描述问题
笼统的说法:It doesn't work. 更好的说法:It turns on, but the screen stays black.
说清楚哪部分还能正常运作,是最快缩小问题范围的方法,在技术性的对话里,这正是有用信息和无用信息的分界线。
任何一次技术支持对话,归根结底都会问到这三个问题:
- What exactly happens? —— It shows an error message saying "connection refused".
- When did it start? —— After the update on Tuesday.
- What have you tried? —— I've restarted it and reinstalled the app.
描述你观察到的现象,而不是你的判断。 The Wi-Fi's broken 是一个诊断,而且通常是错的。My laptop connects but my phone doesn't 是一个观察,它能直接指向真正的原因。
打电话给技术支持
A: What seems to be the trouble?
B: The app keeps crashing when I try to log in. It started after the update.
A: Have you tried reinstalling it?
B: I have. It opens fine, but it freezes on the password screen.
A: Right — sorry, you're breaking up a bit. Could you send me a screenshot of the error message?
精确的症状、发生的时间、已经尝试过的办法,再加上视频通话里那句确认听清的说法。
自测
下面的测验主要考查动词。