BBC Learning English The English We Speak 22 February 2011 Green

Green Wang Fei: Finn: Wang Fei: Finn: Wang Fei: Finn: Wang Fei: Finn: Wang Fei: Finn: Wang Fei: Finn: FX - CRASH Both: Wang Fei: Finn: Wang Fei: Finn: Welcome to The English We Speak. I'm Wang Fei! And I'm Finn! Finn has decided to take us out for a ride on his new motorbike today and he's very proud of it. I am, very proud of it. I thought it would be good to get out of the studio. Look at all the beautiful, green fields around us, Wang Fei. Yes, beautiful green fields. That's the word for the day isn't it: green? Green, yes! A bit easy, isn't it? Everyone knows the colour green! The colour green? No, not that meaning, Wang Fei! So, what do you mean? Green as in good for the environment? No, not that green either! Oh, ok, maybe another green? Oh ok, maybe, green with envy? I know that phrase, that means to envy somebody, doesn't it? Yes, that's right. But what are you envious about, Wang Fei? That's not what we're oh! ... ahhh! Ow! Finn, you are a terrible, terrible driver! I know. Will you tell me what this green means?! I'm sorry Wang Fei. What I mean is I'm very green at riding motorbikes, that's what I wanted to say. Green means inexperienced or new to something. Oh, I see. So when do we use it?

Wang Fei:

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Finn: Wang Fei:

Well, normally we use it to describe someone who is new to a particular job or skill. Ooh, I see. But I'm not feeling good. So why don't we listen to some examples for a moment?

Examples I'm a bit green at video editing, so it takes me a long time to edit things. He's a bit green in this job so he's bound to need some help. My uncle's very green at searching the internet. He prefers to go to the library.

Finn: Wang Fei:

Ok, time to go again, Wang Fei! (To himself) Hmm. But I'm still not feeling that great to be honest

FX - BIKE STARTS Finn: Wang Fei: Finn: Wang Fei: Finn: Wang Fei: Finn: Wang Fei: Finn: Wang Fei: Finn: Wang Fei: What was that, Wang Fei? Oh nothing. Let's go. Wow, what beautiful countryside Gosh, I'm really feeling ill to be honest. I'm worried we're going to crash again. Wang Fei, what did you say? Are you ok? Not really. Oh no, you look bad. You've gone green! What? You've gone green it means you look ill! Another green phrase Finn can't you just concentrate on your driving! Ok, sorry. OK then! Bye everyone And wish me luck. Bye.

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