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A2-42 / CEFR A2 / EPISODE 42

I Need Caffeine

Talking about deadline worries

SceneTina and Frank are at a cafe. Tina has a deadline tomorrow and has already had two coffees. Frank has his usual black coffee.

At a cafe table with a laptop and coffee cups, Frank offers a cup to Tina, who rests her cheek on her hand.
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STORY English with optional Japanese translations

Narrator

Tina and Frank are at a cafe. Tina has been working on a paper for hours. It is due tomorrow, and she has already had two coffees. Frank has his usual black coffee.

ティナとフランクはカフェにいる。ティナは何時間もレポートに取り組んでいる。締め切りは明日で、すでにコーヒーを2杯飲んでいる。フランクはいつものブラックコーヒー。

Tina01

I need the strongest coffee you have!

ここで一番濃いコーヒーをください！

Frank02

That's already your third cup today.

それ、今日もう3杯目だよ。

Tina03

But I need more, or I'll fall asleep at my desk.

でももっと必要なの、じゃないと机で寝ちゃう。

Frank04

You've been working for hours. You need a break.

もう何時間も作業してるだろ。休憩が必要だよ。

Tina05

I'm really stressed about my deadline tomorrow. Coffee helps!

明日の締め切りが本当に不安なの。コーヒーが効くのよ！

Frank06

Coffee won't write the paper for you, sadly.

残念ながら、コーヒーが代わりにレポートを書いてはくれないよ。

Tina07

I just need to finish the last section tonight. One more cup—

今夜最後の部分を終わらせるだけなの。あと1杯——

Frank08

—Let's take a short walk. Then you can finish that section.

——少し散歩しよう。それから、その部分を仕上げればいい。

Tina09

I don't have time for a walk. And you drink coffee all day!

散歩してる時間なんてないわ。それに、あなただって一日中コーヒーを飲んでるじゃない！

Frank10

I drink it for the taste. Let's have a decaf and take a five-minute break.

僕は味が好きで飲んでるんだ。デカフェにして、5分だけ休憩しよう。

Tina11

Okay. Five minutes. Too bad the decaf won't write my paper either.

わかった。5分だけね。デカフェもレポートは書いてくれないのが残念だわ。

WORDS & CONTEXT

Words & context

“I drink it for the taste.”

For the taste means in order to enjoy the flavor. Frank is explaining why he drinks coffee. His reason differs from Tina's, who wants another cup to stay awake and keep working. It is not a statement that caffeine has no effect on him.

“a decaf” / “a five-minute break”

Decaf is short for decaffeinated and means coffee with the caffeine removed. A five-minute break is a rest lasting five minutes. Since Tina does not want to lose time, Frank suggests a short break, and Tina accepts because it is that short.

“Too bad the decaf won't write my paper either.”

Too bad ... means "It's a pity that ...," and either in a negative sentence means "also not." Picking up Frank's line 6, that coffee won't write her paper, Tina grumbles that decaf won't write it either. The punchline is that she agrees to the break but jokes that she still wishes a drink would do the work for her.

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