Dalam komunikasi sehari-hari, kita pasti sering banget kasih saran ke teman atau menawarkan bantuan ke orang lain, kan?
Nah, dalam bahasa Inggris, giving advice dan making offers punya expressions dan struktur tersendiri yang perlu kamu kuasai. Artikel ini bakal breakdown kedua skill komunikasi penting ini lengkap dengan contoh-contoh yang bisa langsung kamu praktikkan!
Apa Itu Giving Advice?
Giving advice adalah memberikan saran, pendapat, atau rekomendasi kepada seseorang tentang apa yang sebaiknya mereka lakukan dalam situasi tertentu. Advice biasanya diberikan ketika:
- Seseorang meminta saran kamu
- Kamu melihat seseorang menghadapi masalah
- Kamu punya pengalaman yang relevan untuk dibagikan
- Seseorang butuh guidance atau direction
Yang penting diingat: good advice should be helpful, not pushy atau judgmental. Kamu give suggestions, bukan commands.
Expressions untuk Giving Advice
Ada banyak cara untuk memberikan saran dalam bahasa Inggris, dari yang formal sampai casual. Let’s break them down:
1. Should / Shouldn’t
Ini adalah cara paling common untuk memberikan saran. “Should” menunjukkan recommendation yang cukup strong.
Structure: Subject + should/shouldn’t + verb (base form)
Contoh:
- “You should get more sleep.” (Kamu harus tidur lebih banyak.)
- “She shouldn’t skip breakfast.” (Dia tidak seharusnya skip sarapan.)
- “We should leave early to avoid traffic.” (Kita harus berangkat lebih awal untuk menghindari macet.)
- “You shouldn’t worry too much about it.” (Kamu tidak perlu terlalu khawatir tentang itu.)
2. Ought to
Lebih formal dari “should” dan memiliki meaning yang sama. Lebih jarang digunakan dalam casual conversation.
Structure: Subject + ought to + verb (base form)
Contoh:
- “You ought to see a doctor about that cough.” (Kamu sebaiknya periksa ke dokter tentang batukmu itu.)
- “He ought to apologize for his behavior.” (Dia seharusnya meminta maaf atas perilakunya.)
- “We ought to start saving money for the future.” (Kita harus mulai menabung untuk masa depan.)
3. If I Were You…
Expression ini digunakan untuk memberikan saran dengan menempatkan diri di posisi orang lain. Sangat common dan terdengar empathetic.
Structure: If I were you, I would/wouldn’t + verb (base form)
Contoh:
- “If I were you, I would accept the job offer.” (Kalau aku jadi kamu, aku akan terima tawaran pekerjaannya.)
- “If I were you, I wouldn’t trust him.” (Kalau aku jadi kamu, aku tidak akan percaya dia.)
- “If I were you, I’d talk to her directly.” (Kalau aku jadi kamu, aku akan bicara langsung dengannya.)
4. Why Don’t You…?
Cara yang lebih gentle dan less direct untuk memberikan saran. Terdengar seperti suggestion daripada command.
Structure: Why don’t you + verb (base form)?
Contoh:
- “Why don’t you take a break?” (Kenapa kamu tidak istirahat sebentar?)
- “Why don’t you ask for help?” (Kenapa kamu tidak minta bantuan?)
- “Why don’t you try the new restaurant downtown?” (Kenapa kamu tidak coba restoran baru di pusat kota?)
5. You’d Better / You’d Better Not
Memberikan strong advice atau warning. “Better” menunjukkan bahwa ada consequence kalau advice tidak diikuti.
Structure: Subject + had better (not) + verb (base form)
Contoh:
- “You’d better hurry or you’ll miss the train.” (Kamu lebih baik cepat atau kamu akan ketinggalan kereta.)
- “You’d better not tell anyone about this.” (Kamu lebih baik tidak memberitahu siapa-siapa tentang ini.)
- “We’d better bring an umbrella. It looks like rain.” (Kita lebih baik bawa payung. Sepertinya akan hujan.)
6. How About / What About…?
Cara casual untuk suggest something. Bisa diikuti dengan noun atau gerund (verb+ing).
Structure: How/What about + noun/gerund?
Contoh:
- “How about taking a vacation?” (Bagaimana kalau liburan?)
- “What about asking your teacher?” (Bagaimana kalau tanya gurumu?)
- “How about we meet at 7 PM?” (Bagaimana kalau kita ketemu jam 7 malam?)
7. You Could / You Might Want To
Memberikan suggestion yang soft dan less forceful. Memberikan options daripada instruction.
Contoh:
- “You could try studying in the library.” (Kamu bisa coba belajar di perpustakaan.)
- “You might want to bring a jacket. It’s cold outside.” (Kamu mungkin perlu bawa jaket. Dingin di luar.)
- “You could ask your parents for advice.” (Kamu bisa minta saran orang tuamu.)
8. I Think You Should / I Suggest / I Recommend
More formal way of giving advice, often used in professional settings.
Contoh:
- “I think you should reconsider your decision.” (Saya pikir kamu harus pertimbangkan ulang keputusanmu.)
- “I suggest taking a different approach.” (Saya sarankan mengambil pendekatan yang berbeda.)
- “I recommend applying for the scholarship.” (Saya rekomendasikan untuk melamar beasiswa tersebut.)
Responding to Advice
Ketika seseorang memberikan advice, penting untuk respond appropriately:
Accepting Advice:
- “That’s a good idea! Thanks!”
- “You’re right. I’ll do that.”
- “I’ll give it a try. Thanks for the suggestion.”
- “That makes sense. I appreciate your advice.”
Politely Declining:
- “Thanks for the advice, but I’ve already tried that.”
- “I appreciate your suggestion, but I think I’ll do it differently.”
- “That’s an interesting idea, but it might not work for me.”
- “Thanks, but I’m not sure that’s the right approach for me.”
Apa Itu Making Offers?
Making offers adalah menawarkan bantuan, layanan, atau sesuatu kepada orang lain. Offers biasanya dibuat ketika:
- Kamu melihat seseorang butuh bantuan
- Kamu ingin menunjukkan kebaikan atau hospitality
- Dalam customer service atau professional contexts
- Kamu ingin membantu mencapai suatu tujuan
Expressions untuk Making Offers
1. Can I / Could I…?
Cara polite untuk menawarkan bantuan atau sesuatu.
Contoh:
- “Can I help you with that?” (Bisa saya bantu?)
- “Could I get you something to drink?” (Boleh saya ambilkan minuman?)
- “Can I carry those bags for you?” (Bisa saya bawakan tas-tas itu?)
2. Would You Like…?
Very polite offer, often used in customer service atau formal situations.
Structure: Would you like + noun / to + verb?
Contoh:
- “Would you like some coffee?” (Mau kopi?)
- “Would you like me to help you?” (Mau saya bantu?)
- “Would you like to sit down?” (Mau duduk?)
3. Shall I…?
Formal dan polite way of offering. Lebih common dalam British English.
Contoh:
- “Shall I open the window?” (Haruskah saya buka jendelanya?)
- “Shall I call you a taxi?” (Haruskah saya panggilkan taksi?)
- “Shall I make us some tea?” (Haruskah saya buatkan teh untuk kita?)
4. Let Me…
Direct dan friendly offer. Menunjukkan willingness untuk help.
Contoh:
- “Let me help you with that.” (Biar saya bantu.)
- “Let me carry that for you.” (Biar saya bawakan itu untuk kamu.)
- “Let me show you how to do it.” (Biar saya tunjukkan cara melakukannya.)
5. I’ll… / I Can…
Volunteering untuk do something. Direct dan straightforward.
Contoh:
- “I’ll pick you up at 8.” (Aku akan jemput kamu jam 8.)
- “I can lend you my notes.” (Aku bisa pinjamkan catatanku.)
- “I’ll cook dinner tonight.” (Aku akan masak makan malam nanti.)
6. Do You Want Me To…?
Casual offer, asking if the person wants your help.
Contoh:
- “Do you want me to call her?” (Kamu mau aku telepon dia?)
- “Do you want me to explain it again?” (Kamu mau aku jelaskan lagi?)
- “Do you want me to come with you?” (Kamu mau aku ikut?)
Responding to Offers
Accepting Offers:
- “Yes, please. That would be great!”
- “Thank you! I’d appreciate that.”
- “That’s very kind of you. Thanks!”
- “Sure, thanks for offering!”
Declining Offers:
- “Thank you, but I’m fine.”
- “That’s okay, I can manage. But thanks!”
- “I appreciate it, but I’ve got it covered.”
- “Thanks for offering, but I’m good.”
Contoh Dialog 1: Giving Advice – Masalah Akademik
Student A: I’m really struggling with my math class. I think I’m going to fail.
Student B: You shouldn’t give up! Why don’t you ask the teacher for extra help after class?
Student A: I’ve thought about it, but I’m too embarrassed.
Student B: If I were you, I wouldn’t be embarrassed. Teachers are there to help. You could also join a study group.
Student A: That’s a good idea. Do you know any study groups I could join?
Student B: Yeah! I’m in one that meets every Tuesday. You should come!
Student A: Thanks! I really appreciate your advice. I’ll definitely join you guys.
Contoh Dialog 2: Making Offers – Di Kantor
Colleague A: Oh no, my computer just crashed and I have a presentation in an hour!
Colleague B: Don’t panic! Let me help you. Do you have a backup?
Colleague A: I think I saved it to the cloud, but I’m not sure.
Colleague B: I can check for you. Also, would you like to use my laptop for the presentation?
Colleague A: That would be amazing! Thank you so much!
Colleague B: No problem. I’ll also call IT to fix your computer. Shall I do that now?
Colleague A: Yes, please. You’re a lifesaver!
Contoh Dialog 3: Giving Advice – Relationship Problem
Friend A: I had a huge fight with my boyfriend yesterday. I don’t know what to do.
Friend B: I’m sorry to hear that. What was the fight about?
Friend A: It was about something stupid, really. But now neither of us wants to apologize first.
Friend B: If I were you, I’d just call him and talk it out. Life’s too short to stay mad over small things.
Friend A: You’re right, but what if he’s still angry?
Friend B: You should at least try. Why don’t you send him a message first to break the ice?
Friend A: That’s actually a good idea. I think I’ll do that. Thanks for listening.
Friend B: Anytime! I hope things work out for you two.
Contoh Dialog 4: Making Offers – Helping a Neighbor
Neighbor A: Hi! I noticed you’re carrying a lot of groceries. Can I help you?
Neighbor B: Oh, that would be wonderful! Thank you!
Neighbor A: Let me take some of those bags. Which floor do you live on?
Neighbor B: I’m on the third floor. You’re very kind.
Neighbor A: No problem at all. Would you like me to help you put these away too?
Neighbor B: That’s okay, I can manage from here. But thank you so much for your help!
Neighbor A: Anytime! If you ever need help with anything, just let me know.
Contoh Dialog 5: Giving Advice – Career Choices
Person A: I got two job offers and I don’t know which one to choose. One pays more, but the other seems more interesting.
Person B: That’s a tough decision. What are your priorities right now?
Person A: I need money, but I also don’t want to hate my job.
Person B: I think you should consider the long-term prospects. Which job offers better growth opportunities?
Person A: The interesting one has more room for advancement.
Person B: Then I’d recommend taking that one. Money is important, but job satisfaction matters too. You could always negotiate a better salary later.
Person A: You’re right. I hadn’t thought about it that way. Thanks for the perspective!
Contoh Dialog 6: Making Offers – At a Restaurant
Waiter: Good evening! Would you like to see the menu?
Customer: Yes, please. And could I get some water?
Waiter: Of course! I’ll bring that right away. Can I get you something to drink while you decide?
Customer: I’ll have an iced tea, please.
Waiter: Excellent choice. Would you like me to recommend our specials for tonight?
Customer: Sure, that would be helpful.
Waiter: I’ll tell you about them when I bring your drinks. Shall I start you with some appetizers?
Customer: Not yet, but thank you.
Tips Memberikan Advice yang Baik
Be Empathetic: Tunjukkan bahwa kamu understand situasi mereka sebelum giving advice. “I know it’s tough, but…”
Don’t Be Pushy: Give suggestions, not commands. Let them make their own decisions.
Share Your Experience: Kalau relevant, share your own experience. “When I was in your situation, I…”
Consider Their Situation: Good advice takes into account the person’s specific circumstances.
Be Supportive: Even if they don’t follow your advice, be supportive of their decision.
Tips Menawarkan Bantuan yang Efektif
Be Specific: Daripada “Let me know if you need anything,” better say “I can help you move those boxes.”
Be Genuine: Only offer help yang actually bisa kamu provide.
Read the Situation: Sometimes people need space, not help. Be sensitive to that.
Don’t Make Them Feel Helpless: Offer assistance tanpa membuat mereka feel incapable.
Follow Through: Kalau kamu offer help, make sure you can actually deliver.
Untuk mempelajari lebih lanjut tentang cara komunikasi yang efektif dalam memberikan saran, kamu bisa cek artikel tentang dialog bahasa Inggris memberi saran yang membahas lebih detail berbagai situasi.
Common Mistakes yang Harus Dihindari
Dalam Giving Advice:
- Jangan terlalu forceful: “You MUST do this” sounds like command, not advice
- Jangan judgmental: “You should have known better” is not helpful
- Jangan give unsolicited advice terlalu sering: Wait until asked atau situasi yang appropriate
Dalam Making Offers:
- Jangan offer something you can’t deliver
- Jangan make people feel obligated: They should feel free to decline
- Jangan be offended kalau offer kamu declined
Kesimpulan
Giving Advice dan Making Offers adalah dua skill komunikasi yang bisa significantly improve interaksi sosial kamu dalam bahasa Inggris. Keduanya butuh sensitivity, empathy, dan pemahaman terhadap konteks sosial.
Yang paling penting adalah being genuine dan respectful dalam setiap approach kamu.
Ingat, good advice itu membantu orang lain untuk membuat keputusan mereka sendiri, sedangkan good offers membuat orang merasa didukung tanpa merasa tidak berdaya. Latihlah ekspresi-ekspresi ini secara rutin dalam percakapan sehari-hari,
dan kamu akan mulai merasakan bagaimana komunikasi kamu terasa lebih natural dan effective dalam bahasa Inggris.
Kuncinya adalah selalu sincere, considerate, dan respectful di setiap interaksi!
Mau makin mahir berkomunikasi dalam bahasa Inggris dengan berbagai expressions dan situasi? Yuk, ikuti Program Liburan Sekolah di Kampung Inggris Plus!
Dengan intensive practice dan experienced tutors, kamu akan lebih confident dalam giving advice, making offers, dan berbagai aspek komunikasi lainnya.