Tracy: Hello, I’m Tracy and you’re listening to Question and Answer of the Week from BBC Learning English. With me today is Jean.
Jean: 大家好。在我们的《你问我答》节目中，我们为大家解答有关英语学习方面的各种问题。
Tracy: Yes we do, and this week’s question is from Peter in Beijing. He wanted to know the difference between the words offer and quote.
Jean: Ah, this question is about the cost of something.
Tracy: Yes it is and I think the best way to answer this is to listen to some examples.
Jean: Yes, I agree. So let’s listen to these people talking. 下面说话的这位女士家里的淋浴头坏了，要请水管工来修。Plumber 水管工。Shower 淋浴头，或者淋浴。
Insert
A: So can you help me?
B: Yes but it’s going to be a big job. You have a lot of water damage and need a whole new shower unit.
A: Ok, can you put together a quote?
B: Sure, just give me a second.
A: So, how much?
B: Well, with parts and labour it comes to £347.46.
A: Wow, that is expensive. But you do come recommended, so go ahead.
Jean: Oh, 我都有点替这位女士心疼了，光修一个淋浴头要花这么多钱吗。
Tracy: It did seem quite expensive didn’t it?
Jean: Yes. Now, instead of asking the plumber how much it would cost, she asked something else, didn’t she?
Tracy: She did, she said:
Insert
Can you put together a quote?
Jean: A quote. 就是在决定付钱之前请对方出的一个报价。
Tracy: Exactly. A quote is the price a person says they will charge to do a piece of work.
Jean: 我们也可以把 quote 这个词当作一个动词来使用。For example: The plumber quoted a price of £347.46.
Tracy: That’s correct Jean.
Jean: Thank you Tracy. Just one more question before we move on. Is an estimate similar to a quote?
Tracy: It is similar but when someone gives you an estimate it is roughly how much they think a piece of work will cost. It could end up costing more or less than the original estimate.
Jean: And when someone gives a quote it is usually a fixed cost for the piece of work.
Tracy: Yes, usually you talk about an estimate as an approximate cost.
Jean: An estimate is an approximate cost 就是一个估算出来的价格。
Tracy: And a quote is a fixed cost.
Jean: A quote is a fixed cost. 而报价相对是一个更确切的价格。
Tracy: Now listen to the next clip.
Jean: The woman’s washing machine has now broken and she is trying to buy a new one. Washing machine 就是洗衣机。
Insert
A: I really like this model but it is very expensive.
B: Well, it’s been on display so I could negotiate on the price.
A: Great, let me make you an offer.
B: Ok, but remember the list price is £195.
A: Well, how about £150?
B: I think I can do that.
A: Sold.
Jean: 这位女士的淋浴和洗衣机同时都坏了，真是不走运，不过起码她和修理工协商了一个好价钱。
Tracy: I agree. Let’s hear how she used the word offer. She said:
Insert
Let me make you an offer.
Tracy: So, to make someone an offer.
Jean: To make someone an offer 就是给对方一个特别优惠价。
Tracy: Yes, making someone an offer is giving someone a price that you would like to pay for something.
Jean: 好，那么今天我们的节目时间也快到了。We are happy to offer our services 我们也很高兴为大家解答在英语学习当中碰到的各种问题。
Tracy: So keep listening to Question and Answer of the Week for more English language advice.
Jean: 如果你在学习中遇到问题请随时给我们发邮件我们的邮箱是:
questions.chinaelt@bbc.co.uk.
Tracy: And don’t forget to visit our website www.bbcchina.com.cn where you can listen to other Question and Answer of the Week programmes. Until next
time, bye.
Jean: Bye!
This week our question comes from Peter in Beijing. He wants to know the difference between the words quote and offer.
Quote
Example: Can you give me a quote?
When you give someone a quote it is the price you would charge to do a piece of work.
You might hear someone say:
• write you a quote
• put together a quote
• give you a quote
Offer
Example: Let me make you an offer.
When you make someone an offer it is the price that you would like to pay for something.
You might hear someone say:
• make an offer
• make me an offer
• let me make you an offer
If you have a question about the English, we will try our best to answer it for you.
There are all kinds of language questions on our website - just email your question to questions.chinaelt@bbc.co.uk.
We look forward to hearing from you.
Glossary 词汇
Quote 报价
Offer 开价
Price 价钱
Charge 收费
Pay 付费