You and your husband have recently moved to Saskatoon. You do not want to rush into buying a house, so you decide to rent an apartment. While checking the newspapers for rental accommodation, you come across an attractive ad. You call the number listed in the ad and ask to make an appointment to see the apartment.
A: Hello, Mr Morris. I'm calling about the apartment for rent. Can you tell me more about it?
B: Yes, it is a spacious apartment with a view of the river. It has a large living room, a dining area, two bedrooms with bathrooms and a nice sunny kitchen.
A: Does it come with any appliances?
B: Yes, it comes with a washer-dryer, stove, refrigerator and dishwasher. The rent is only $350.00.
A: Does it include utilities?
B: No, it doesn't. How many persons will be renting?
A: Just my husband and I. May we see it today?
B: Sure. May I have your last name, please?
A: It's Tanahashi. T-A-N-A-H-A-S-H-I.
B: Thank you, Mrs Tanahashi. I'll be waiting for you at the apartment in an hour's time. Do you know how to get to this address?
A: No, but we'll take a cab. See you at around 4:30 then. Bye now.
B: Good-bye and thanks for calling.
你與丈夫剛搬到沙斯卡通市（Saskatoon），你們不想匆忙買屋，便決定先租住公寓，當你翻閱報章看出租一欄時，看到一段頗吸引的出租廣告，你便打廣告上所列的電話，約一個時間去看看出租的公寓。
甲：喂，摩利士先生，我打電話來想問有關公寓出租的事，你可以告訴我多一點資料嗎？
乙：可以，這是一層寬闊的公寓，有河景，內有一大客廳、一飯廳、兩間有浴室的睡房和一明亮的廚房。
甲：公寓內有沒有家庭電器？
乙：有，內有一洗衣干衣機、煮食爐、雪櫃和洗碗機，租金衹三百五十元。
甲：租金是否包括水、電和煤氣呢？
乙：不包括。會有多少人租住呢？
甲：祇有我和丈夫，我們可以今天來看看嗎？
乙：當然可以，請問貴姓呢？
甲：我姓Tanashashi，串法是T-A-N-A-H-A-S-H-I。
乙：謝謝你。一個鐘頭後我會在公寓等你。你知道怎樣到這地址嗎？
甲：不知道，我們會乘計程車來，大約在四時半左右見你吧，再見。
Language Notes 語文註解
1. I'm calling about= 我打電話來想問有關…。這是在電話裏道明來意所用的句子。
2. Spacious = 寬闊。
3. View = 此處解景色。
4. Does it come with any appliances? = Are there any appliances in it? Appliances通常指家庭電器。
5. Last name = Surname or family——姓。請留意在英文裏，姓是放在後面的，與中文有別。
6. 將姓名告訴外國人時，最好能將姓名串出來，方便對方寫下。
7. In an hour's time = 一個鐘頭後
8. cab = Taxi——計程車。
9. Thanks for calling = 謝謝你打電話來。結束電話說話時所用的禮貌語。
本欄資料取材自《新移民英語》
Survival English for New Canadians
