When you come up with an English word that you don’t understand, look up the meaning in the dictionary, right? What number do you read at that time? Surprisingly, many people may have finished just checking the first meaning. However, the fifth and sixth meanings and the meanings casually written below are the usages that native speakers often use. This time, we collected frequently used English words and their usage from the perspective of native speakers.
1. screw
Have you heard of this word? It is an important word that is indispensable in the daily conversation of native speakers who pronounce “screw”.
Is it possible to express that?!
Screw has noun and verb usage. The noun means “screw” and “kechi”. The meaning of “kuchi” is mainly used in the UK. Often used is verb usage. Verbs have the meanings of “grimacing” and “fooling”. If you put Up on the back, you will get the expression “I’ve done it”.
Let’s practice
He screwed up his face and said “No”.
(He frowned and said “no”)
I ’m sorry for screwing up.
(I’m sorry for messing around)
Do n’t screw up again, ok?
(Please do not do it anymore because it is a request)
2. jot
This word I can’t hear much. Not Jet. This is Jot. What does it mean? Let’s take a look together.
That word when taking notes!
Jot has two main meanings. In the negative form and set, it means “not at all” and means “write down”. When you want to write something down, you say “Wait a minute. The word that corresponds to this “memo” is Jot.
Let’s practice
I do n’t really care a jot what he likes.
(I don’t know what he likes)
She does n’t do a single jot of housework.
(She doesn’t do housework at all)
Hold on, I ’ll jot down.
(Wait, take a note)
I ’m jotting down quickly.
(I will write it down)
3. TLC
What does this TLC stand for? If you don’t know it, you can’t predict the meaning at all. Actually, this expression was heart-warming.
What is necessary for children!
In fact, TLC is an acronym for Tender Loving Care. Tender means caring. Loving care means loving care. In other words, TLC can be translated as “love” or “compassion”.
Let’s practice
I really appreciate my parents, they gave me a lot of TLC.
(I’m grateful to my loving parents)
Kids need TLC, because they can learn how they love people around.
(You have to be considerate with your children so they can learn to love people)
4. long-timer
What is a long timer? What do you think it means? This is a very common word in conversations between native speakers, especially native speakers living in Japan.
Is she a long-timer?
Is she a long-timer?-When asked like this, it means “she has lived here for a long time?” If a native speaker asks this question in Japan, it means “She has lived in Japan for a long time?” If you ask “How long have you been here?”, It will mean the same thing, but the long-timer is more casual.
Let’s practice
Oh, you live in Hokkaido, are you a long-timer?
(Oh, I live in Hokkaido, is it long?)
Ask John about Japanese culture, he ’s a long-timer here.
(Don’t ask John about Japanese culture, because you’ve lived in Japan for a long time)
5. take
This Take is known for its various meanings, but this time we will pick up usages that are easy and often used by native speakers but are difficult for Japanese people to use.
Take number = break
If you put a number after Take, it means “Let’s take a break.” I think that the text Let ’s take a break will come out easily, but the native speakers simply say Let ’s take 30.
Let’s practice
I ’m tired. Can we take 15?
(I’m tired ~ Won’t you take a 15-minute break?)
Everyone! Let ’s take 1 hour.
(Everyone! Take a break for 1 hour!)
Conclusion
I’ll take a note. Even if I say “I’ll jot down.”, The native speaker uses I’ll jot down. That’s because jot can produce lighter nuances. English learners have to remember each of these fine nuances one by one, but each time they learn one by one, let’s think positively that they are approaching a native speaker! See you soon!
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