在國際化的職場中，一個小小的用詞選擇，就能決定對方對你的印象。雖然 “foreigner” 是大家熟知的英文單字，外國人的意思，但在辦公室對話中，有時它可能會聽起來有點疏離甚至不太友好。本篇就來教你幾個 更自然、更得體的替代說法，讓你和外國同事聊天時既禮貌又專業，還能瞬間拉近距離。
🎧Apple Podcast | Spotify
💬 Dialogue
📍 場景設定
地點：辦公室茶水間
情境：兩位同事在泡咖啡時，聊到新來的國際同事，並討論在職場中如何更禮貌地稱呼”外國人”。
英文對話
Mark: Did you see the new guy from our London office? He seems really sharp.
Sarah: Oh, you mean Alex? Yes, he’s great. I heard he’s leading the new project.
Mark: He is. He’s a foreigner from the UK, right?
Sarah: Yeah, but in the office, it’s better to say “British” or “from our London office” instead of “foreigner.”
Mark: Really? Why is that?
Sarah: “Foreigner” can sound a bit negative or distant. Being specific makes people feel more included.
Mark: I see. So I should say “British” instead?
Sarah: Exactly. Or just mention the office or country name.
Mark: That makes sense. Thanks for the tip!
Sarah: No problem. It’s a small change, but it goes a long way.
中文
Mark：你有看到我們倫敦辦公室來的新同事嗎？感覺很厲害耶。
Sarah：哦，你是說 Alex 嗎？對啊，他很不錯，我聽說他在帶新的專案。
Mark：是啊，他是英國來的外國人吧？
Sarah：對，不過在辦公室最好說「British」或「from our London office」，不要直接用「foreigner」。
Mark：真的嗎？為什麼啊？
Sarah：「Foreigner」有時聽起來有點負面或疏遠，用更具體的說法會讓人感覺被尊重。
Mark：我懂了，所以應該改說「British」比較好？
Sarah：沒錯，或者直接講辦公室或國家的名字也行。
Mark：有道理，謝啦！
Sarah：不客氣，小改一下效果差很多哦。
📚 Vocabulary Boost
| 單字 | 詞性 | 中文意思 | 英文例句 | 中文翻譯 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| foreigner | n. | 外國人 | In some situations, calling someone a foreigner might sound impolite. | 在某些情況下，稱呼別人為「外國人」可能會聽起來不禮貌。 |
| inclusive | adj. | 包容的 | Using inclusive language helps create a friendly workplace. | 使用包容性的語言有助於打造友善的職場環境。 |
| specific | adj. | 具體的 | It’s better to be specific when mentioning someone’s background. | 提到別人的背景時，最好具體一點。 |
| colleague | n. | 同事 | I met my new colleague from the Singapore office today. | 我今天認識了來自新加坡辦公室的新同事。 |
| impression | n. | 印象 | The words you choose can affect the impression you make. | 你選用的詞彙會影響別人對你的印象。 |
🔍 Sentence Patterns
| 句型結構 | 中文意思 | 英文例句 | 中文翻譯 |
|---|---|---|---|
| It’s better to… | 最好… | It’s better to use specific terms instead of “foreigner.” | 最好用具體的詞彙，而不是「foreigner」。 |
| Thanks for the tip. | 謝謝你的提醒 | Thanks for the tip, I’ll remember that. | 謝謝你的提醒，我會記住的。 |
| …goes a long way. | 作用很大 | A small change in wording goes a long way in making others feel respected. | 換個說法就能大大提升對方的好感。 |
| Instead of A, (you can) use B. | 不用A，改用B | Instead of “foreigner,” use “British” or “from London.” | 不要用「foreigner」，改用「British」或「from London」。 |
| That makes sense. | 有道理 | That makes sense. I’ll try it next time. | 有道理，下次我會試試看。 |
📖逐字稿
M: Today we’re talking about something, uh, really important for work, especially if you work with people from, you know, different countries. It’s about the words we actually choose. We’re going to look at how maybe using the right words helps you connect better, build those good relationships with co-workers.
M: 今天我們要聊一個、嗯，對職場很重要的主題，特別是如果你跟來自不同國家的同事一起工作。重點在於我們實際選用的詞。我們會看看，選對用詞怎麼能幫你更好地建立連結、跟同事打好關係。
J: That’s right.It’s really all about making everyone feel, welcome and respected, too, in the office. We’ve got a pretty simple example actually to show how these small word choices, they can make a really big difference.
J: 沒錯。其實就是要讓每個人在公司裡都覺得被歡迎、也被尊重。我們準備了一個很簡單的例子，來示範這些小小的用詞選擇，怎麼會帶來很大的不同。
M: Okay, great. So, let’s just imagine a normal day. Yeah. In any office, really, anywhere. Uh, two colleagues, Mark and Sarah, they’re just in the office kitchen or cantry, chatting.
M: 好，太棒了。想像平常的一天，任何公司的日常。兩位同事 Mark 跟 Sarah，在辦公室的茶水間或員工餐廳聊聊天。
J: And they’re talking about a new team member who’s joined internationally.
J: 他們在聊一位剛從海外單位加入的新同事。
J: So listen caref ully to this conversation. It, it really shows a key lesson in how we talk professionally.
J: 所以請仔細聽這段對話。它真的凸顯了專業溝通的一個關鍵重點。
地點：辦公室茶水間
情境：兩位同事在泡咖啡時，聊到新來的國際同事，並討論在職場中如何更禮貌地稱呼外國人。
英文
Mark: Did you see the new guy from our London office? He seems really sharp.
Sarah: Oh, you mean Alex? Yes, he’s great. I heard he’s leading the new project.
Mark: He is. He’s a foreigner from the UK, right?
Sarah: Yeah, but in the office, it’s better to say “British” or “from our London office” instead of “foreigner.”
Mark: Really? Why is that?
Sarah: “Foreigner” can sound a bit negative or distant. Being specific makes people feel more included.
Mark: I see. So I should say “British” instead?
Sarah: Exactly. Or just mention the office or country name.
Mark: That makes sense. Thanks for the tip!
Sarah: No problem. It’s a small change, but it goes a long way.
中文
Mark：你有看到我們倫敦辦公室來的新同事嗎？感覺很厲害耶。
Sarah：哦，你是說 Alex 嗎？對啊，他很不錯，我聽說他在帶新的專案。
Mark：是啊，他是英國來的外國人吧？
Sarah：對，不過在辦公室最好說「British」或「from our London office」，不要直接用「foreigner」。
Mark：真的嗎？為什麼啊？
Sarah：「Foreigner」有時聽起來有點負面或疏遠，用更具體的說法會讓人感覺被尊重。
Mark：我懂了，所以應該改說「British」比較好？
Sarah：沒錯，或者直接講辦公室或國家的名字也行。
Mark：有道理，謝啦！
Sarah：不客氣，小改一下但很有幫助。
J: Okay, so that was a pretty common situation, I think. And Sarah gave some, like, really good advice there.
J: 好，我想這是很常見的情況。Sarah 在裡面給了很不錯的建議。
J: Did you catch what she said about the word “foreigner”?
J: 你有注意到她對「foreigner（外國人）」這個字的說法嗎？
M: Yes. She, she quickly pointed out something important. You know, while “foreigner” technically just means someone from another country, in a work setting, it can sometimes make someone feel a bit like an outsider.
M: 有。她很快點出一件重要的事。雖然「foreigner」字面上只是指「來自別的國家的人」，但在職場語境裡，可能會讓人感覺有點像局外人。
J: Right, like they’re not really part of the team.
J: 沒錯，好像不太是團隊的一份子。
M: Exactly. Or or maybe just not fully part of the team. It can create this little distance, you know, without you even meaning to.
M: 對，或者說沒有被完全視為團隊成員。它會不知不覺製造出一點距離感，即使你並沒有那個意思。
J: So, instead of that general word “foreigner,” Sarah’s suggestion is be specific, like saying “British” or “from our London office.” What’s the, what’s the real benefit of doing that, being specific?
J: 所以，與其用很籠統的「foreigner」，Sarah 建議要更具體，比如說「British（英國人）」或「我們倫敦辦公室的同事)」。那麼，講得具體真正的好處是什麼呢？
M: Being specific, it really helps people feel,included. That’s the key word here. It shows you see them as, you know, an individual. And it makes them feel more like a valued colleague, you know, a person you work with, rather than just someone from somewhere else. This is what we call inclusive language. Language that helps everyone feel welcome.
M: 更具體能讓人覺得被「包容」。這是關鍵。它表示你把對方當成一個獨立的個體來看待，也讓他更有被重視的同事感，而不是「哪裡來的某個人」。這就是我們說的「包容性語言」——能讓每個人都覺得被歡迎的用語。
J: That makes perfect sense. Yeah. It’s just like Sarah said, right? It’s a small change, but it goes a long way. So it’s not just about being polite, though it is polite. It’s more about making a positive impression and and helping everyone feel like they actually belong there.
J: 非常有道理。就像 Sarah 說的，這是個小改變，但很有幫助。它不只是禮貌而已，更是在創造好的印象，讓大家真心覺得自己屬於這個地方。
M: Exactly right. I mean, think about it this way. If you just call someone, say, the IT guy, it’s not wrong, technically. But saying, “Our lead solutions architect, Alex,” that’s more specific and it shows more respect for their role, too, doesn’t it?
M: 完全正確。換個角度想：如果你只說某人是「IT 那個人」，嚴格來說也沒錯；但如果說「我們的首席解決方案架構師 Alex」，就更具體，也更尊重他的職務，不是嗎？
J: Yeah, that’s a good comparison. It’s the same idea.
J: 對，這個比喻很好，概念是一樣的。
M: It is.
M: 沒錯。
J: Okay. Now, let’s maybe pull out some useful phrases from that chat between Mark and Sarah. Things you can use, too.
J: 好，現在我們把 Mark 和 Sarah 對話裡的一些好用片語挑出來，這些你也能用得上。
J: Sarah said, “It’s better to…”
J: Sarah 說了「It’s better to…」。
M: Ah, yeah, that’s a good one.
M: 啊，對，這個很好用。
J: It’s quite a gentle way to give advice, isn’t it? Like, “It’s better to use specific terms.”
J: 這是很溫和的給建議方式，對吧？像是「It’s better to use specific terms.（用具體的詞比較好。）」
M: Mhm. Very useful.
M: 嗯，很實用。
J: And Mark’s reply, “Thanks for the tip.”
J: 還有 Mark 的回應：「Thanks for the tip.」
M: That’s perfect when someone gives you helpful advice like that.
M: 別人給你實用建議時，用這句最剛好。
J: Simple and effective.
J: 簡單又有效。
M: And remember Sarah’s phrase, “goes a long way.” That’s great for emphasizing that even a small action can have a really big positive effect.
M: 還有 Sarah 說的「goes a long way」，很適合強調小小的動作也能帶來很大的正面效果。
J: I like that one. Oh, and Sarah also said, “Instead of A, you can use B.” That’s super helpful for suggesting an alternative, right?
J: 我喜歡這句。喔，Sarah 還說了「Instead of A, you can use B.（不要用 A，改用 B。）」，這在提出替代說法時超好用，對吧？
M: Definitely. Like she said, “Instead of ‘foreigner,’ you can use ‘British.'”
M: 當然。就像她說的：「不要用『foreigner』，可以用『British』。」
J: And when Mark understood, he just said, “That makes sense,” which is, you know, a really common and good way to show you get it and you agree.
J: 而當 Mark 明白後，他就說「That makes sense.」，這是很常見、很好用的句子，表示你聽懂也同意。
M: So, you see, when you choose your words carefully like this, you’re you’re doing more than just speaking correctly. You’re actually,actively building a more welcoming place, a more respectful environment.
M: 所以你看，這樣細心選詞，不只是把話說對而已，你其實是在主動打造更友善、更尊重的環境。
J: Which is so important these days.
J: 而這在現在特別重要。
M: It really is, especially in global teams where you’ve got people from all over working together.
M: 真的，尤其在全球化的團隊裡，大家來自各地一起合作。
J: Absolutely. So remember, small words, they can carry really big meaning. Being precise, like saying “British” instead of “foreigner.” It isn’t just about, you know, being technically right. It’s really about respect.
J: 沒錯。所以要記得，小小的字詞能承載很大的意義。像把「foreigner」換成「British」這樣更精準，不只是字面正確，更是出於尊重。
M: And building those stronger connections.
M: 也是在建立更堅固的關係。
J: Exactly, with the people you work with every day.
J: 沒錯，跟你每天一起工作的那些人。
J: Okay, well, that’s about all the time we have for today. For the transcript of this episode and more vocabulary or information, please do click the link below.
J: 好，今天差不多就到這裡。如果需要本集逐字稿或更多字彙與補充資訊，請點擊下方連結。
J: Thanks so much for joining us here on MJ English and we’ll talk to you again soon.
J: 謝謝你收聽 MJ English，我們很快再聊。
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