B2 · Unit 1
Doubting what you heard
Express disbelief without insulting the other person.
New words
doubt
objection
exaggeration
reject
reject
call into question
I doubt that
it does not sound convincing
too good to be true
so that is how it supposedly was
that needs checking
with all due respect
I would not rush to conclusions
it cannot be ruled out
remain unconvinced
One day for all the repairs?
Nikola, a neighbour
Работниците щели да приключат за един ден. Така ми казаха.
The workers will reportedly finish in one day. That is what I was told.
Щели били да приключат за ден! Това подлежи на проверка.
They supposedly will finish in a day! That needs checking.
Nikola, a neighbour
И аз се съмнявам. Само подготовката отне два дни.
I doubt it too. The preparations alone took two days.
Не ми звучи убедително, но да поискаме графика.
It does not sound convincing, but let us ask for the schedule.
Nikola, a neighbour
Да напиша ли в групата, че ни лъжат?
Shall I write in the group that they are lying to us?
По-добре попитай какво включват в този един ден.
Better ask what they include in that one day.
Nikola, a neighbour
Може да става дума само за боядисването. Ще попитам.
Perhaps they only mean the painting. I will ask.
Точно така; нека първо разберем плана.
Exactly; let us understand the plan first.
Grammar
Strong disbelief often adds "бил"
: "щели били да приключат"
, "били работели"
. Yet "бил направил"
may neutrally report an earlier action. Context and intonation matter. In a polite conversation, ask for a source.
Той бил направил всичко сам! А екипът му?
He supposedly did everything himself! What about his team?
Те щели били да приключат за един ден!
They supposedly were going to finish in a single day!
Билетите нямало било да струват нищо!
The tickets supposedly were not going to cost anything!
Examples
С цялото ми уважение, този разказ не ми звучи убедително.
With all due respect, I do not find that account convincing.
Не отхвърлям възможността, но искам доказателства.
I am not ruling it out, but I want evidence.
Нека не превръщаме съмнението в обвинение.
Let us not turn doubt into an accusation.
Били работели без почивка, а графикът показва друго.
They supposedly had been working without a break, but the schedule says otherwise.
Дали това не е преувеличение?
Could that be an exaggeration?
Преди да отхвърлим твърдението, да проверим часа.
Before rejecting the claim, let us check the time.
Бих помолил за източник, вместо да се присмивам.
I would ask for a source instead of mocking.