Neil: Hello, welcome to Real English from BBC Learning English, I'm Neil.
Helen: 大家好, 我是 Helen.
Neil: In Real English we look at words and phrases people use all the time, but you probably won't find in your dictionary.
Helen: 希望在今天的地道英语节目中, 您能学到在书本里找不到的英语常用表达。
Neil: Today's expression is dab hand.
Helen: Dab hand. What does that mean?
Neil: If someone's a dab hand at something, it means they're very good at it. They're skilful at something.
Helen: Oh I see. 如果有谁对什么事特别在行 a dab hand, 意思就是他是这方面的能手。
Neil: Like you Helen with chopsticks. You're a dab hand at chopsticks. You're really skilful.
Helen: Hmm, and you could do with some practise.
Neil: Well, Helen, I'm not Chinese.
Helen: Neil 说我是用筷子的能手 a dab hand at using chopsticks。
Insert
A: Argh computers! I hate them. Could you give me hand?
B: Yeah, no problem, you just need to look here.
A: Ah, your such a dab hand with computers. I wish I could understand them.
Helen: Is it a common expression, Neil? 这是不是个常用表达呢？
Neil: Yes it is, but be careful because it's very British. You won't hear it much in American English.
Helen: So what are you a dab hand at, Neil?
Neil: Well, we don't usually use dab hand to talk about ourselves, but it's a nice compliment to pay someone else.
Helen: 我们一般不用这个词来形容自己，不过如果用来形容其他人, 这就有赞美的意思。 Well, you're a dab hand at English.
Neil: Thanks, Helen, but it is my first language!
Helen: Oh yeah.
Neil: Well, that's all for today from Real English