Jane請外籍老闆在合約上簽名，老闆簽過名後，她發現日期錯了，請老闆重新簽一次，她說：“Would you please resign?”老闆眼睛瞪得好大。原來Jane以為簽名是sign，重簽就是resign，一時不察，resign其實是辭職，請老闆遞辭呈，天哪，這錯可犯得不小。
re是「再一次」的意思，re+動詞，就變成把這個動作再做一次，例如：redesign重新設計、reorganize重組、resend重寄。re也有「回收」的意思，像sign是簽名，簽了名就代表同意，回收這項承諾，就等於放棄、辭職，來看幾個例子：
再簽一次不是resign
sign是簽名，重簽要寫成re-sign，注意，中間有一個連字號，看例句：
Do you intend to re-sign the
contract?
你想要重新簽合約嗎？
這句說法雖然也對，但re-sign 的唸法和resign 一樣，口語中容易誤解，所以對話時我們會選擇替代的字，像sign again 或renew/extend ：
Would you please sign the contract again?
可以再簽一次合約嗎？
Do you intend to renew/extend the contract?
你想要續約嗎？
Treat和Retreat從請客到撤退
treat這個字大家不陌生，可以當動詞，處理、對待、請客，也可以當名詞，招待人的點心。例如：
This is a serious matter and he can't treat it lightly.
這事態嚴重，他不能掉以輕心。
It's my turn to treat.
該我請客了。
而retreat這個re的意思是「收回」，收回原先的對待，就變成了撤退、躲避，或隱退處。
I
will not retreat from my commitment.
我不會躲避承諾的義務。
He spent a few months in retreat.
他暫時退隱了數月。
Recreation再創造為什麼會變成消遣？
把recreation解釋成「再創造」，就會理解錯這句：
We bike for recreation.
（Ｘ）我們為了再造而騎單車。
（Ｏ）我們騎單車當消遣。
creation是創造， recreation雖然也可以當再創造，但 recreation更常用在指消遣、娛樂。或身心的修養。它的唸法是[͵rɛkrɪˋeʃən]，有人解釋，為什麼再創造會變成娛樂消遣？因為一個人的生命，會因為消遣或是娛樂，而重生一次。
本文摘錄自一張圖搞懂 辦公室英文 2019年01月號
訂閱雜誌
1.I am not interested in the form. I think we should sign the contract face to face.
我对表格不感兴趣。我认为我们应该当面签订合同。
2.I am sorry. I am too happy and forgot it. Can I look it through?
对不起，我太激动，把这件事给忘了。我能看看吗？
3.There is no remuneration item in this agreement.
合同中没有福利待遇。
4.I can't decide to sign it or not now. Can you give me some time to think it over?
我现在不能决定是否签字，能给我一点儿时间考虑吗？
5.I hope everything will be clearly written in the contract.
我希望合同上各条款都写得清清楚楚。
6.Well, according to the principle of our firm, employees in probation have no remuneration.
按照我们公司的规定，试用期内的员工没有福利待遇。
7.Any approved overtime will be paid at time, which you can take as salary or time off.
超出的加班时间可以折算成I：资，或选择调休。
8.Anything I need to pay attention to when signing a contract?
签合同的时候需要注意什么问题吗？
9.How long would the contract period be in my case?
合同期限为多长时间？
10.We'll sign a contract with you for three years only. You could renew after three years, but that depends.
我们和你先签一个为期3年的合同，3年后你可以续签，不过要视情况而定。
Dialogue1
对话1
I am really satisfied with your qualification. Please complete the contract form and bring it back to me. And I'll arrange an interview for you.
我对你的资历很满意。请填好 这个表格，然后交给我。我会给你安排面试。
I am not interested in the form. I think we should sign the contract face to face.
我对表格不感兴趣。我认为我 们应该当面签订合同。
Sorry, it is the regulation of our company.
对不起。这是我们公司的规定。
That's OK. Thank you all the same. But I have to say I'll try other places.
Dialogue2
对话2
I am sorry that I have a question. Ttere is no remuneration item in this agreement. Can you tell me about it?
对不起,我有个问题没有福利待遇。你能说说吗?
Well, according to the principle of our firm, employees in probation have no remuneration.
按照我们公司的规定，试用期内的员工没有福利待遇。
But you didn’t tell me about it. I can’t decide to sign it or not now. Can you give me some time to think it over?
但是你之前没有告诉我。我现不能决定是否签字，能给我点儿时间考虑吗？
OK. It doesn't matter.
第73期:商业合同
Our negotiations have been very successful.
我们的谈判很成功。
A:Our negotiations have been very successful.
A:我们的谈判很成功。
B:So,we have reached a successful conclusion.
B:终于，我们成交了。
When should we sign the contract?
我们什么时候签合同？
A:When should we sign the
contract?
A:我们什么时候签合同？
B:We’ll revise the contract this evening，and have it ready to be signed tomorrow morning at ten. How’s that?
B:今晚我们修改一下合同，准备明天早上10点签约，怎么样？
Where are the problem areas on the contract?
合约上面哪一部分还有问题呢？
A:Where are the problem areas on the contract?
A:合约上面哪一部分还有问题呢？
B:I would like it
lowered.
B:我想要把自付额再降低一点。
Sign on the dotted line.
请签在虚线的地方。
A:The only other question I have is where I sign.
A:剩下来的问题是，我该在什么地方签章。
B:Sign on the dotted line.
B:请签在虚线的地方。
I don't see any problems with the contract.
这一张合约我看不出有什么问题。
A:You will have to allow my attorney to read this over before I sign
off.
A:在我签字之前，我需要我的律师把这整份合约看过一遍。
B:I don't see any problems with the contract.
B:这一张合约我看不出有什么问题。
I think we’d better make it a separate term.
我想我们最好把它单独列为一项。
A:I think we’d better make it a separate term.
A:我想我们最好把它单独列为一项。
B:OK,let me write it into the contract.
B:好，我们把这条写进合同。
When can the contract be ready for
signature?
什么时候准备合约签字？
A:When can the contract be ready for signature?
A:什么时候准备合约签字？
B:We'll have it ready in a few days.
B:我们几天内会将它准备好。
I'm glad we have come to an agreement on price at last.
我很高兴我们最终在价格上取得了一致意见。
A:I’m glad we have come to an agreement on price at last.
A:我很高兴我们最终在价格上取得了一致意见。
B:We’re glad the deal
has come off nicely in the end.
B:我们也很高兴这次交易最终圆满结束。
We suggest a two-year contract.
我建议签一个两年的合同。
A:We’d like to see how successful you are in developing sales before committing ourselves to a longer-term agreement.
A:在签订长期协议之前，我们要看看你们的推销能力。
B:We suggest a two-year contract.
B:我建议签一个两年的合同。
How long shall we make the contract
for?
我们应该签订多长时间的合同？
A:How long shall we make the contract for?
A:我们应该签订多长时间的合同？
B:Would you mind if we make this a 3 - year contract?
B:我们签订一个有效期为3年的合同好吗？
Would you like have any specific period that the contract to would be valid for?
你们希望确定合同的具体有效期吗？
A:Would you like have any specific period that the contract to would be valid
for?
A:你们希望确定合同的具体有效期吗？
B:The contract would run for one year of the trail period.
B:合同将有一年的试行期。
That's what we have agreed upon,isn't it?
这是我们同意了的，对不对？
A:That's what we have agreed upon,isn't it?
A:这是我们同意了的，对不对？
B:Yes,that's right but not exact.
B:对，但不够准确。
I’ll see to it right
away.
我马上修改。
A:Will you please check the particulars and see if there is anything to be amended?
A:请你看一下细节，是否有什么要修改的地方？
B:I'll see to it right away.
B:我马上修改。
How long will the contract last?
合同的有效期是多长时间？
Since everything is ready,we can sign the contract today.
既然所有事情就绪，我们今天就可签订合同。
A:Since everything is ready,we can sign the
contract today.
A:既然所有事情就绪，我们今天就可签订合同。
B:Yes, you are really good partners to do business with.
B:是的，你们真的是很好的商业合作伙伴。
I'll draw up an agreement at once.
我立刻起草一份合同。
A:I'll draw up an agreement at once.
A:我立刻起草一份合同。
B:OK. Just let us know when you get it ready.
B:好的。准备好之后就通知我们。
Look at the fine
print.
请看一看你们用小字印刷的部分。
fine(adj.)
细，纤细
If everything is satisfactory,we can draw up a formal contract
如果一切都满意了，我们可以拟定一份正式合同。
If you just sign the contract，we’ll be all set.
如果你能在这份合同上签字，事情都妥了。
What should be specified in the contract?
合同应该写明哪些条款？
Both of us should abide by the terms and conditions of this contract.
我们双方均应信守合同中的条款和条件。
abide by
坚持，遵守
I agree to the terms concerning the packing and shipping marks.
我同意关于包装和唛头的条款。
We have reached an
agreement on all the terms.
我们对各项条款的意见一致。
The contract should be canceled by 6 months notice.
取消合约，应提前6个月通知。
Your wishes as to duration of the contract are acceptable.
可以接受贵方对合同期的要求。
Payment terms are important in a contract.
合同中的付款条件非常重要。
We’ll surely follow the stipulation of the contract.
我们将严格遵守合同的规定。
Are you worrying about the non-execution of the contract and non-payment on our party?
你担心我们不履行合同或者拒不付款是吗？
Once a contract is made, it must be strictly
implemented.
合同一旦确定了就应严格执行。
implement (v.)
执行