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How smart people say "What do you want?" | English from movies

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第1句，共10句 0:00 Theo

do you ? I'm .

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。

Theo do you ? I'm .
Hana . I , but the can it.
Tutor and .
Luca 's on ?
Tutor and .
Tetris How can I you?
Tutor and .
Bride & Prejudice can I do for you?
Theo . How can I you?
Hana Eat me. The no.

每题先选一个答案，再点击“检查答案”。

第1题

Your friend looks worried and is not talking. Which line fits best?

和老师聊聊
第2题

A client comes to your office desk. Which line is the most professional?

和老师聊聊
第3题

Which question has the correct word order?

和老师聊聊
第4题

You work in a cafe. A customer comes to the counter. What do you say?

和老师聊聊
第5题

In the Short, why does Theo change "What do you want?" to "How can I help you?"

和老师聊聊

先看简短解释

How smart people say "What do you want?"

To ask what someone needs without sounding rude, try "How can I help you?" or "What can I do for you?" at work, and "What's on your mind?" with a friend who looks worried. "What do you want?" is a normal question, but said quickly by someone busy, it can sound annoyed. A softer line makes the other person feel welcome.

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

What's on your mind? 语气: Warm and friendly

Use it when a friend, partner, or coworker looks worried or quiet and you want them to talk. It isn't a good fit at a service desk, because it asks about feelings, not tasks.

“What's on your mind?”

出自Luca (2021)
How can I help you? 语气: Polite and helpful

Good with coworkers and customers, in person or on the phone. With close friends it can sound a little formal, so a plain "What's up?" may fit better.

“How can I help you?”

出自Tetris (2023)
What can I do for you? 语气: Polite and professional

Great for clients and visitors who come to your office, shop, or desk. It sounds ready to act. Don't use it when someone just wants to chat, because it suggests they came for a task.

“What can I do for you?”

出自Bride & Prejudice (2004)
What do you need? 语气: Direct and practical

Use it with people you know when time is short and you want to help fast. Say it in a calm voice, or it can sound impatient.
Is there something I can help you with? 语气: Gentle and polite

Use it when someone seems lost or unsure, like a visitor looking around. It works with strangers, but it's long for a quick chat with a friend.
What brings you here? 语气: Friendly and curious

Use it when someone arrives and you want to know the reason for the visit. It's friendly, but it isn't right when the reason is obvious, like a customer at a checkout.

常见错误

不太合适 ~~How I can help you?~~

更合适的说法 How can I help you?

In a question, can comes before the subject I. "How I can help you" is only correct inside a longer sentence, like "Tell me how I can help you."
不太合适 ~~What can I do to you?~~

更合适的说法 What can I do for you?

Use for when you do something to help a person. "Do something to someone" often means affecting them in a bad way, so it sounds strange or even threatening.
不太合适 ~~A customer walks in and you say: "What do you want?"~~

更合适的说法 A customer walks in and you say: "How can I help you?"

"What do you want?" is grammatically fine, but with customers it can sound rude or annoyed. A service line sounds welcoming.