I couldn't care less. 我不在乎。
这句话的意思是“我不在乎”,“缺乏兴趣(lack of interest)”,也就是:I don't care at all. 或 I don't give a hoot.
例如:人家如果问: What do you think of the budget-cut?(你对预算削减有何看法?)
你回答: I couldn't care less.(我毫不在乎)
How do you like Mr. Lee's political point of view?(你喜欢李先生的政见吗?)
I couldn't care less.(我才不在乎呢!)
但是有时说话者也可能口是心非: 例如:
I couldn't care less about the promotion or pay raise.(我不在乎升级或加薪)
而实际上他是根本在乎升级和加薪的,那么人家也许就会回答说: Yes, you do(care).
至于 I couldn't care more. 就是“我很在乎”(I care a lot.)或 I care deeply. 同理:
I couldn't agree more. = I totally agree.(我完全同意)
I couldn't please you more. = I did my best to please you.(我尽量使你高兴)
I couldn't be more right. = I am totally right.
但是老外为了自尊,不愿强调自己的错误,所以很少人说: I couldn't be more wrong. 注意:一般人都用否定句,但也有老外把肯定句与否定句互用。
不过,严格来说,I could care less. = I care to some degree.(care 的程度可能减少) I could care more. = I care some.(care的程度也许增加)(主词可用任何人称代名词:he, she, you, we, they 等。但只用 could,不用 can。)