John: Jason is planning to move in with his girlfriend. There are no ifs and buts about it now. Kathy: So they’re going to be living together? John: Yup. They both agreed that living together before marriage is a definite must. Kathy: How are his parents taking this? Did his parents give the go-ahead? John: He doesn’t need their permission. He’s old enough to make his own decisions. Kathy: My parents would have a cow if I did that. They’d probably disown me. John: My parents are pretty open about these things so I’m sure they would take it in stride. Kathy: Is Jason really ready to take the relationship to this level? John: He’s mulled it over for a few months now and it’s settled. Kathy: If that’s the case, I’m happy for him. I just hope he doesn’t have second thoughts. John: I don’t know about my parents, but I lean towards the conservative side.
[해석] “혼전 동거” John: Jason이 여자 친구와 같이 이사할 계획이래. 현재 거의 확실한 거 같아. Kathy: 그래서 같이 살기로 했대? John: 그렇지. 둘 다 결혼 전에 같이 사는 것이 꼭 필요한 거라고 합의했어. Kathy: 그의 부모가 이것을 어떻게 받아들이실까? 부모님이 그렇게 하라고 허락하셨나? John: Jason은 부모님 허락이 필요 없어. 스스로 결정할 수 있을 만큼 나이가 들었잖아. Kathy: 내가 만약에 그렇게 한다면 우리 부모님은 엄청 화내실 거야. 아마 나와 인연을 끊으실 걸. John: 우리 부모님은 이런 건 상당히 개방적이셔서 잘 받아들이실 거라 봐. Kathy: Jason은 이런 수준의 관계를 받아들일 준비가 된 거야? John: 몇 달 동안 심사숙고해서 결정했어. Kathy: 그런 상황이라면 난 그가 잘 했다고 봐. 단지 다시 생각하지 않기를 바래. John: 우리 부모님 결정은 어떨지 모르겠지만, 난 보수적인 쪽으로 마음이 기울어.
< Key ｅxpressions >
■ There are no ifs and buts about it now.
■ My parents would have a cow if I did that.
■ I’m sure they would take it in stride.
■ He’s mulled it over for a few months now and it’s settled.
< Main dialogue >
■ There are no ifs and buts about it now. * no ifs and buts : 예외가 없는
■ So they’re going to be living together? * live together = move in together
■ They both agreed that living together before marriage is a definite must. * something is a must. = It’s gotta be done. / It is absolutely necessary. : 반드시 ~ 해야 해다
■ How are his parents taking this? = How do they feel about this? = How are they reacting to this situation? * take -> reaction to some sort of news
■ Did his parents give the go-ahead? * go-ahead = give the green light / permission
■ He’s old enough tomake his own decisions. * old enough to do = mature enough to do : ~하기에 충분한 나이다
■ My parents would have a cow if I did that. They’d probably disown me * have a cow = get upset * disown : (~와의 관계를) 부인하다, ~을 포기하다 ex. My parents would have a fit. My parents would have a scissors. My parents would have a heart attack. 《英》My parents would have a barney.
■ I’m sure they would take it in stride. * take something in stride : 당연한 일로 받아들이다
■ He’s mulled it over for a few months now and it’s settled. * mull something over : 숙고하다, 곰곰이 생각하다
■ I just hope he doesn’t have second thoughts. * second thoughts = doubtful
■ I lean towards the conservative side. * lean towards~: ~의 경향이 있다, ~에 기울어지다