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How smart people say "I don't have time" | English from movies

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第1句，共10句 0:00 Hana

I don't for . the .

边听边读逐句跟读专心听

选择一句，就能再听一遍。点击任意单词查看意思。带下划线的是本视频的重点词。

Hana I don't for . the .
Marco So no ? the ?
Tutor and .
Beverly Hills Cop . I can't now.
Tutor and .
A Life at Stake I'm up now.
Tutor , .
The Real Bros of Simi Valley: The Movie . I'm now.
Hana I can't now, Marco. me .
Marco . By , it's a in .

每题先选一个答案，再点击“检查答案”。

第1题

A friend wants to chat, and you want to talk later. Which line sounds kind?

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第2题

What does "I'm swamped" mean?

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第3题

Your manager asks for help while you're on a call. Which line fits best?

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第4题

Which line asks the other person to agree to a later time?

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第5题

Which line is the most informal?

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先看简短解释

How smart people say "I don't have time"

Instead of "I don't have time," say "I can't right now," "I'm tied up now," or "I'm swamped right now." These lines say you're busy at the moment, not that the other person doesn't matter. If you also offer a later time, like "Tell me after lunch," your no sounds kind.

视频重点词汇

点击任意单词查看意思。带下划线的是本视频的重点词。

逐句讲解

I can't right now. 语气: Soft and friendly

Use it when someone asks for your time and you want to say a kind no that means maybe later. Add a later time if you can, because the line alone can sound unfinished.

“Look. I can't right now.”

出自Beverly Hills Cop (1984)
I'm tied up now. 语气: Polite and busy

This one works well at work. It means you're busy with something at the moment, like a call or a task. Avoid it when you're clearly free, because people will notice.

“I'm tied up now.”

出自A Life at Stake (1955)
I'm swamped right now. 语气: Honest, very busy

Swamped means you have too much work. Use it with coworkers and friends when you're honestly overloaded. It's informal, so choose a softer line for a formal email to a client.

“Look. I'm swamped right now.”

出自The Real Bros of Simi Valley: The Movie (2024)
Now's not a good time. 语气: Calm and direct

Use it when the timing is the problem, for example when someone calls during a meeting. Said with a flat voice, it can sound cold, so add a later option.
I'm in the middle of something. 语气: Neutral, focused

Use it when you're doing a task and don't want to stop. It's fine for friends, family, and coworkers. It doesn't say when you'll be free, so give a time if the other person needs one.
Can we talk later? 语气: Friendly, open

Use it when you want to have the conversation, just not now. It sounds polite in almost any situation. Don't use it if you never plan to talk, because the person will ask again.

常见错误

不太合适 ~~I don't have time for your story.~~

更合适的说法 I can't right now. Tell me after lunch.

The first line is grammatical but can sound like the person isn't important. The second line puts the problem on the timing and offers a later time.
不太合适 ~~I'm tied now.~~

更合适的说法 I'm tied up now.

Tied up is a fixed phrase that means busy. Without up, the sentence sounds like you're tied with a rope.
不太合适 ~~I'm swamping right now.~~

更合适的说法 I'm swamped right now.

Swamped is an adjective here, like busy or tired. You are swamped; the work swamps you.