1. Hi Students!
How are you doing today?

2. Expression of the Week “With a grain of salt”

3. “With a grain of salt”
To receive some information with a healthy dose (a substantial amount) of doubt, skepticism, suspicion, and caution.

4. “With a grain of salt” You should take that with a grain of salt.
You’d better take that with a grain of salt.
I would take that with a grain of salt if I were you.

5. “With a grain of salt” Suppose I were to tell you that President 习近平
will come to class next week to speak to us.
Yeah, it’s true!
Well, your response should probably be,
“Teacher Wayne, I’m gonna take
that with a grain of salt.”
“I won’t believe it until I see it!”

6. Vowels with Communicative Meaning

7. Ahhh! That was refreshing!!!
Written Pronounced Used to Express
Ahhh! /ɒ/
Satisfaction, relaxation
Inflection tip:
The voice starts mid-level, and then drops slowly as you make this sound.
When you’re thirsty and you drink some water, you might say:
Ahhh! That was refreshing!!!

8. Aha! Now I understand this math homework.
Written Pronounced Used to Express
Aha! /ɒhɒ/
Discovery
Inflection tip: There are many different ways to inflect this sound, each way changing the meaning a bit.
Perhaps the most common way is to pronounce both syllables quickly, the first one flatly – like a Chinese 1st tone – and the second similar to a Chinese 4th tone.
Aha! Now I understand this math homework.

9. Written Pronounced Used to Express
Aw /ɔ/
Sympathy,
disappointment
Aw. I’m so sorry that you aren’t feeling well and have to miss my party.

10. Ow! That hurt! or Ow! That hurts! Written Pronounced Used to Express
Pain (ouch!)
Inflection tip:
The voice starts high and then drops. It can be a quick drop of the voice, but is usually extended much longer – depending on the extent of the pain.
Ow! That hurt! or
Ow! That hurts!

11. Guess what, Helen! I have a new boyfriend!
Written Pronounced Used to Express
Oh? /əʊ/
Mild surprise, interest
Inflection tip: The voice goes up, as when asking a question.
Guess what, Helen! I have a new boyfriend!
Oh? Tell me more!!!

12. Oh. Now I get it. Written Pronounced Used to Express Oh. /əʊ/
Understanding
Inflection Tip: Start the voice high, and slowly drop it.
Oh. Now I get it.

13. Uh-oh. I forgot my wallet at home.
Written Pronounced Used to Express
Uh-oh /ʔʌ ʔəʊ/
Trouble
Inflection Tip: The symbol that looks a bit like a question
mark “ʔ” signifies a glottal stop – stopping
the air stream at the vocal cords.
(Suppose you’re shopping, and it’s time to pay.)
Uh-oh. I forgot my wallet at home.

14. Ooh! There’s a fly in my soup!
Written Pronounced Used to Express
Ooh! /uː/
Disgust, or delight
Inflection Tip: This sound can be inflected many different ways, changing the meaning significantly.
Listen to my examples!
Ooh! There’s a fly in my soup!
Ooh! Those fireworks in the sky are beautiful.

15. Oops. I dropped my pencil.
Written Pronounced Used to Express
Oops /uːps/
Recognition of a problem
Oops. I dropped my pencil.

16. Huh? I’m not sure I understand your point.
Written Pronounced Used to Express
Huh? /hʌ/ nasal
Lack of understanding
Pronunciation Tip: The “H” is pronounced harder than usual.
Huh? I’m not sure I understand your point.
Note: Never use this when responding to your elders, especially your parents or your teachers!
This can indicate a lack of respect!
Only use it with your peers.

17. Do you want to go to the store later today?
Written Pronounced Used to Express
Uh-Huh /ʌhʌ/ nasal
Agreement. Yes.
Inflection Tip:
As with the other sounds, this one can be stressed several different ways. The most common is to raise the voice on the 2nd syllable.
Do you want to go to the store later today?
Uh-huh. Sounds like a good idea to me!

18. Do you want to go to the store later today?
Written Pronounced Used to Express
Uh-uh /ʔʌ ʔʌ/ nasal No
Inflection Tip:
The 2nd syllable is typically lower in tone than the 1st one.
Do you want to go to the store later today?
Uh-uh. I’m a little bit busy today.
Maybe next time. Thanks anyway.

19. Boo! Ha ha, I scared you. Written Pronounced Used to Express
Boo! /buː/
Scaring someone
Inflection Tip: Usually spoken quickly with a downward stress, just like a Chinese 4th tone.
Boo! Ha ha, I scared you.

20. Boo-hoo. I feel so sorry for you.
Written Pronounced Used to Express
Boo-hoo /buː huː/
Sarcasm; fake crying
Boo-hoo. I feel so sorry for you.

21. What would you say when . . .
. . . you sit down in a big, comfortable chair
after standing for a long time?
Ahhh!

22. What would you say if . . .
. . . you didn’t understand what one of your
friends just said to you?
Huh?

23. What would you say when . . .
. . . you see your teacher coming toward
you, knowing you had skipped his
class earlier in the day?
Uh-oh!

24. What would you say when . . .
. . . you quietly walk behind a friend, wanting
to scare her?
Boo!

25. . . . you spill a glass of water on the floor ?
What would you say if . . .
. . . you spill a glass of water on the floor ?
Oops. or
Uh-oh.

26. What would you say if . . .
. . . your friend told you she had a bad cold?
Aw.

27. What would you say . . .
. . . on a hot day, right after drinking some
ice-cold water ?
Ahhh!

28. What would you say if . . .
. . . you were just about to eat your noodles,
and you see a big, ugly bug on top ?
Ooh!

29. What would you say when . . .
. . . hammering a nail, you miss it – hitting
your finger instead ?
Ow!