Hello, everyone. No episódio de hoje, eu falo sobre uma construção muito comum do inglês e que não pode ser traduzida literalmente!
Transcrição
Hi, all. How are you guys? Today we have a new episode of the Inglesonline podcast. Please subscribe to this podcast using the Podcasts app for iPhone or iPad, or listen to the episodes using the Inglesonline Android app. To download or just listen to the other episodes and download transcripts, go to inglesonline.com.br and click Podcast Inglesonline.
OK, imagine you have done someone a big favor. Let’s say your friend Allan needs a place to crash for a night since the hotel he had booked had a mix-up with the reservations and now he doesn’t have a bed for the night. So just when Allan thinks he’s going to have to sleep on a bench in the park, you tell him your couch is available. Allan is so relieved! He says “Wow, can’t thank you enough. You’re a real friend”.
He said “I can’t thank you enough“. That means that it is impossible to thank you enough. Allan could thank you a thousand times, and it still would not be enough to express his gratitute. Obviously, no one says “Thank you” a thousand times, and “I can’t thank you enough” is a bit of an exaggeration if you think about it – but it’s used anyway to express great gratitude for what someone has done for you. I can’t thank you enough. There is no way I would be able to thank you enough. It will never be enough. I am so grateful for what you have done for me, that I’m not able to, I just can’t thank you enough.
Now, listen to this one: I can’t say enough good things about Jack. Even if I use all the words that I know, even if spend three hours saying good things about Jack, it won’t be enough, because I can’t say enough good things about Jack. That means that I think Jack is wonderful, excellent, amazing; he’s almost perfect. I just can’t say enough good things about him. And people frequently use a shorter version of that: “I can’t say enough about Jack”. It’s the same meaning; same thing. I can’t say enough about Jack. He is reliable, hard-working, honest, competent, knowledgeable. I can’t say enough about Jack.
Here’s another popular one: I can’t get enough, or I can’t get enough of something or someone. What does that mean? That means you love that thing. Let’say you suddenly fell in love with Tony Ramos and you’ve been watching his movies for a week. Every day, a new Tony Ramos movie. And when your friend asks you “So, what’s up?” you say “Oh, I’ve been going through my Tony Ramos DVD collection this week. I just can’t get enough of him!”. You watch one movie, then tomorrow another movie, and then another one, and another one, and it’s never enough. At the end of every movie you’re left wanting more Tony Ramos in your life. You just can’t get enough!
What’s the food that you don’t eat very often, but whenever you have it in front of you… you just can’t get enough? For me, now that I don’t live in Brazil anymore, I would have to say ‘pão de queijo’. There’s a supermarket not too far from where I live and they have a Brazilian section! They sell Bis, Bono, Brazilian coffee, beans, and one or two brands of “pão de queijo” powder mix. So when I make pão de queijo… I just can’t get enough of it.
What about you? Let us know in the comments, as always, and talk to you next time!
Keywords
I can’t thank you enough
I can’t say enough good things about Jack
I can’t get enough (of someone or something)
Glossary
a place to crash = um lugar pra “encostar”, pra passar a noite
Ana criou um blog de dicas de inglês em 2006, e depois de muito pesquisar o que faz alguém ganhar fluência numa segunda língua, criou seu primeiro curso de inglês em 2009.
I was remembering this morning how much I have learned with you.
you’re amazing Ana Luiza. i’m grateful for all you have done for us.
I have no words to describe how much you are important for me.
when my mom makes chocolate cake I just can’t get enough I always overeat and usually feel bad after eating so much…hahaha
:D
Ana,I can’t thank you enough for your podcasts,I love them!
Hello ! I can´t get enough of any kind of cake. Every time my mother makes it I dig in so hard and never there´s enough to go around. I try but I can´t help myself. Be that as it may, I always end up making a pig out of myself.That´s it. I am not that good in english but at least I tried. Thanks!!!
My example is: “I can’t thank you enough Ann, you are so patient for giving us your podcasts; they have been helping us a lot. I am very grateful to you!!”
