The meaning of 24/7

Dear Dr English,

I am a regular fan of your column. Today I came across this sentence and would like to know its meaning: ÒPeople were not ready to work 24/7 for no pay for an unknown governor of a small southern state.Ó What does 24/7 mean in the above sentence? Look forward to receiving your kind explanation.

Siriwan K

Ò24/7Ó means 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It is used as an adverb or adjective meaning Òall the timeÓ. The sentence means that people were not ready to work all the time for no money for a governor from a small southern state whom they do not know.

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Say it in English

Dear Dr English,

How can I say these Thai sentences in English? ÒTee phom phuud pai phom mai dai fun klang wan na,Ó ÒPhom graeng jai jungÓ and ÒPhom chuay khun jai kha chao na.Ó Thank you in advance.

Arum Swangchit

The first sentence, ÒTee phom phuud pai pom mai dai fun klang wan naÓ is ÒI am serious about what I have just said.Ó

As for the second sentence, in English the feeling of Ògraeng jaiÓ is expressed to show that the speaker does not wish to cause any trouble. You might say, ÒI really donÕt want to trouble you.Ó

As regards the sentence ÒPhom chuay khun jai kha chao na,Ó I do not know in which situation this sentence is said or how much the speaker helps pay the rent. Do you pay the whole rent or just share it? So, I will just give you two sentences. ÒI help you pay the rent,Ó or, ÒI did help you pay the rent.Ó

Hope this helps you to better communicate with your friend.

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Here we go again

Dear Dr English,

What does it mean when somebody says, 'Here we/I go again'? Thanks.

Saowanee Limpong

ÒHere we go,Ó or ÒHere we/I go again,Ó indicates that something is happening in the same way it happened before . . . especially if it is something unpleasant.
ÒIÕm late and the car wonÕt start. Here I go again.Ó
ÒThe boss is in another one of his bad moods. Here we go again.Ó

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