I couldn't care less. 我不在乎
有人问你,What do you think of the budget-cut?(你对预算削减有何看法?) 而你对这件事丝毫不“感冒”,你就可以回答:I couldn't care less.(我毫不在乎)。
这句话的意思是“我不在乎”,“没兴趣”,也就是:I don't care at all. 或 I don't give a hoot. 例如:
How do you like Mr. Lee's political point of view? 你对李先生的政见有何看法?
I couldn't care less. 我对这一点兴趣都没有。
但是有时说话者也“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。
而实际上他是很在乎的,那么人家就会回答说: 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. 我完全正确。
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,例如:
I could care less. = I care to some degree.
I could care more. = I care some.
主词可用任何人称代名词:he, she, you, we, they 等。但只用 could,不用 can.