原汁原味商务英语播客第109课:讨价还价

 　　In this Business English Podcast episode, we'll study the skills and language of bargaining. This podcast is part of an ongoing¹ series on negotiation² skills. 在本集的商务英语播客中，我们将学习讨价还价的语言技巧。本节目属于我们正在播出的谈判技巧节目。

　　Bargaining is the process of swapping⁴ or trading concessions⁵—in other words, "You give me something, and I'll give you something in return." This is also called making offers and counter-offers. The goal is to reach a compromise—a result in which both sides benefit. 还价是交易中互相让步的一个过程。换句话说，即“你给与我优惠，我也相应地作出回报”，这也称为发盘与还盘，其目的是实现一个折中的方案，使双方都获益。

　　Today's listening focuses on a typical bargaining situation. Paul is a purchasing manager for a construction company. Tony is a supplier of anchor bolts—large metal screws used in building projects. They are in the middle of a telephone conversation in which they are negotiating an order. Tony has already opened the discussion and clarified Paul's basic needs. Now they need to agree on the quantity and price. 今天的内容主要是一个典型的还价场景。鲍尔是一家建筑公司的经理。托尼是一个锚栓（一种建筑用大号金属螺栓）供货商。他们正通过电话谈一笔订单。托尼已经展开讨论，阐明了鲍尔的基本要求。他们现在需要就质量和价格达成一致。

　　As you listen, focus on the language that they use to swap³ concessions and reach a deal. 大家在听的同时要注意他们在互相让步和达成共识的过程中使用的语言。

　　Listening Questions:

　　1. What does Paul mean when he says he'll be "throwing more business your way?"

　　2. Tony suggests a way of helping⁶ Paul get a higher discount. What is it?

　　3. When Tony says to Paul, "You drive a hard bargain!" what does he mean?

1 ongoing   

adj.进行中的，前进的

参考例句：

• The problem is ongoing.这个问题尚未解决。
• The issues raised in the report relate directly to Age Concern's ongoing work in this area.报告中提出的问题与“关心老人”组织在这方面正在做的工作有直接的关系。

2 negotiation   

n.谈判，协商

参考例句：

• They closed the deal in sugar after a week of negotiation.经过一星期的谈判，他们的食糖生意成交了。
• The negotiation dragged on until July.谈判一直拖到7月份。

3 swap   

n.交换；vt.交换，用...作交易

参考例句：

• I will swap you my bicycle for your radio.我想拿我的自行车换你的收音机。
• This comic was a swap that I got from Nick.这本漫画书是我从尼克那里换来的。

4 swapping   

交换，交换技术

参考例句：

• The slow swapping and buying of horses went on. 马匹的买卖和交换就是这样慢慢地进行着。
• He was quite keen on swapping books with friends. 他非常热衷于和朋友们交换书籍。

5 concessions   

n.（尤指由政府或雇主给予的）特许权( concession的名词复数 )；承认；减价；（在某地的）特许经营权

参考例句：

• The firm will be forced to make concessions if it wants to avoid a strike. 要想避免罢工，公司将不得不作出一些让步。
• The concessions did little to placate the students. 让步根本未能平息学生的愤怒。

6 helping   

n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的，辅助的

参考例句：

• The poor children regularly pony up for a second helping of my hamburger. 那些可怜的孩子们总是要求我把我的汉堡包再给他们一份。
• By doing this, they may at times be helping to restore competition. 这样一来, 他在某些时候,有助于竞争的加强。