Learning English

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Introduction

Rob has some good news – or so he thinks – and Feifei has an expression that we can use to show her joy at what she’s heard. Find out how you can use the saying happy days!

Transcript

Feifei
Hello and welcome to The English We Speak with me, Feifei…

Rob
And me, Rob. How are you, Feifei?

Feifei
Err, very good, Rob. Thank you for asking. And how are you?

Rob
Very happy, Feifei! Haven’t you heard? We’ve been given the day off tomorrow.

Feifei
Oh, nobody told me! Well, that’s good news – happy days!

Rob
No, just one day, Feifei – one happy day.

Feifei
I know – it’s just an expression. When we say happy days we are responding to some information that is good to hear. In short, it can mean ‘good times’! So, I’m saying it’s great news about the extra day off – although I still don’t know why I haven’t heard about it.

Rob
Well, don’t worry about it! But I can say happy days because the weather’s going to be great tomorrow, so I’m off to the beach.

Feifei
OK, Rob. Enjoy! Let’s hear some other examples of happy days ...

Examples
A: Have you heard? Everyone in the team is getting a bonus.
B: Happy days!

Happy days – the school holidays are here!

A: We’ve saved enough money to go on holiday!
B: Happy days!

Feifei
You’re listening to The English We Speak from BBC Learning English, and we’re hearing about the expression happy days, which we use informally to respond to good or happy news. And happy days – we have a day off tomorrow…

Rob
Yep, and I’m off to the beach.

Feifei
But, Rob… are you sure we have a day off tomorrow?

Rob
Yeah, it says so in this email – look!

Feifei
Oh, you’ve got the wrong date – it’s not tomorrow, it’s next month.

Rob
Oh!

Feifei
It looks like we’ll have to come to work tomorrow after all. But look on the bright side – you’ll have a whole day working with me!

Rob
Happy days!

Feifei
See you then.

Rob
Bye bye.

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