ChinaAdvanced
Hiking the Great Wall with a friend in English (advanced)
Advanced English for hiking the Great Wall with a friend. Key line: “Mind if we *take* a quick *breather* before the next *stretch*?”
Full script
Lin
Mind if we take a quick breather before the next stretch?
Them
Not at all. These steps are no joke; my calves have filed a complaint.
Lin
Fair enough—I may have oversold the 'easy walk' part a little.
Them
A little? You made it sound like we'd just stroll up and chat.
Lin
Okay, after this tower, coffee's on me if you don't quit.
Them
Deal, but if there's another staircase, I'm renaming this a leg workout.
Lin
Come on, we're almost there—and the view really does earn it.
Them
I'll admit it: your 'easy walk' was a lie, but a beautiful one.
Key phrases
The lines worth keeping. Read them once before you go out.
breather
✓ take a quick breathertake a quick breather
More natural than take a rest
tough
✓ no jokeno joke
For something hard or intense
oversold it
✓ oversold itoversold it
Often joking about exaggerating
my treat
✓ coffee's on mecoffee's on me
on me = I pay
Quick answers
breather: what to say in English
Say “take a quick breather” — take a quick breather. More natural than take a rest.
tough: what to say in English
Say “no joke” — no joke. For something hard or intense.
oversold it: what to say in English
Say “oversold it” — oversold it. Often joking about exaggerating.
my treat: what to say in English
Say “coffee's on me” — coffee's on me. on me = I pay.