We all have colleagues who like to speak their minds. Perhaps we could even call these people aggressive or harsh. However, there are definitely other pieces of vocabulary we could use here. Today we're looking at the word "direct", "to speak one's mind", and "to sugar coat" something.

DAILY Business English VOCABULARY builder

This is terrible work. I can't believe you did this!

TRANSCRIPTION (explanation included)
These various expressions for negation span a spectrum of formality and tone. In the lexicon of everyday conversation, one might simply assert "no," "nope," or "nah," and even employ a touch of informality with "not gonna happen." When a matter is more absolute, phrases like "without a doubt, no" and "under no circumstances" make the position clear. In informal settings, a definitive refusal might take the form of "not a chance" or "ain't gonna happen," perhaps even with a touch of camaraderie, as in "nah, mate." For matters requiring decorum, a formal approach may involve phrases like "I'm afraid the answer is no" or "I must decline," while adding regret, as in "regrettably, no," imparts a sense of genuine consideration. Politeness tempers the refusal in phrases such as "I'm sorry, but no" and "thank you for considering me, but I'll have to say no," expressing gratitude for the offer. The witty turn of phrase adds a touch of humor to the refusal, suggesting impossibility with expressions like "I'd sooner sprout wings and fly" or "when pigs fly." In more elevated circles, the upper class might communicate their refusal with statements like "I regret to inform you that the answer is in the negative" or "it would not be fitting, I'm afraid," while maintaining an air of politeness. For royalty, a refusal is conveyed with grace and tact, as in "one must respectfully decline" or "I cannot acquiesce to that request," underscoring the formal nature of the response. Ultimately, the choice of expression hinges on the context and the level of decorum required for the situation at hand.

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How To say 'NO' in various English Registers

みなさん、こんにちは。おげんきですか。日本は3連休です。そして、台風が来ています。
大型の台風が九州に近づいているようです。九州にお住まいの方、大丈夫ですか。気をつけてください。
19日の月曜日は敬老の日で、23日の金曜日は秋分の日なので、今週は休みが多いです。九月のこの連休のことをシルバーウイークって言うんですよ。

我が家の高校2年生の息子は、今日は学校の文化祭。今朝は台風の影響で雨足が強かったのですが、朝6時半に家を出て行きました。青春ですね。「文化祭、何をするの」って聞くと、「モグラたたき」って。えー、何それって感じです。人間モグラたたきのようですよ。楽しいことを考えますね。
コロナ前は入場制限もなく自由に学校見学に行けましたが、コロナ禍ということで、インターネットで予約してからの入場のようです。面倒な時代ですね。でも、インターネットでの配信も少しあるみたいなので、わざわざ学校まで足を運ばなくても、文化祭の様子を垣間見ることができます。これは、親にはありがたいですね。

娘は明日が誕生日です。で、雨ですが、原宿まで洋服を買いに行きたいと。日本の小学生はおしゃれが大好きですよ。
なので、大雨の中、私の姉も一緒に原宿にお買い物に行ってきました。私の姉ですから、娘にとってはおばさんですね。たくさん試着して、さんざん悩んで洋服を買いました。
娘との買い物は、私自身も楽しみなんです。あー、こんなのが好きなんだとか、大きくなったなあって思いながら、楽しく買い物しましたよ。原宿は雨でも混んでいました。

みなさんはどんな週末でしたか。


「のぞみ」の日記

3連休（9月18日）

Here's today's news. Please share your thoughts at the end when I ask a question.
You can check the script at the link provided.

今日(きょう)のニュースです。最後(さいご)に質問(しつもん)をしますので、感想(かんそう)を聞(き)かせください。スクリプトはリンクで確認(かくにん)できます。

■大きな銀行が利子を上げる - A major bank raises interest rates -
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/easy/k10014536491000/k10014536491000.html

NEWS for beginners - Native Japanese Accent -

大きな銀行が利子を上げる - A major bank raises interest rates -

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