Vincenzo
Can we use "please" to show irritation and indignation? e.g. Italian A: Sei brutto. B: Scusami?! English A: You're ugly. B: Please?!
Nov 5, 2018 10:38 PM
Answers · 3
2
Hi there! I definitely agree with Rafael that in this context, the phrase you'd use in English is "Excuse me?!" (Which actually kind of seems like a better translation of "scusami" than "please"? But I don't speak Italian, so I'm no authority here!) I think there's a related context where you could use the word "please", and that would be to dismiss a statement you think is silly or stupid. For example, at 1:42 here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7zOrGGyFAbs ("You're gonna get us thrown out." / "Please. With this disguise, I'm invisible.") So you *could* reply to the phrase "You're ugly" with "please" -- but it would have a different meaning than the example you gave. Rather than expressing outrage, it's telling the other person you think their opinion is so utterly wrong that it's stupid/pathetic. It's kind of like the "please" is short for "please don't waste my time with this nonsense" or "please stop talking; you're embarrassing yourself", or something like that (sort of what Gary was saying in his answer). And it needs to be said with the right tone of voice and probably accompanied by an eye-roll. :) Hope that helps!
November 5, 2018
1
In that kind of a situation, I would say "Excuse me?!"
November 5, 2018
1
I would say you can, but perhaps not in that situation. I would use it as an abbreviated form of 'please don't be an idiot', or 'please don't be an ass'. In that situation, it is more of a statement, rather than a question.
November 5, 2018
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