Jen: Do you like going to the movies?
Jason: Yes, I do enjoy watching movies.
Jen: Oh, then you must go often then.
Jason: Not really. It’s because the movie tickets are quite expensive now so I only go every now and then.
Jen: I see.

제가 Jason에게 “Do you like going to the movies? 너 영화 보러 가는 거 좋아하니?” 라고 묻자 Jason이 “Yes, I do enjoy watching movies. 응, 아주 좋아하지.” 라고 하네요.

제가 “Oh, then you must go often then. 아, 그렇구나. 그럼 극장 자주 가겠다.” 라고 하자 Jason이 “Not really. It’s because the movie tickets are quite expensive now so I only go every now and then. 영화 표 값이 워낙 비싸져서 이제는 자주 못 가고 가금씩만 가.”라고 하더라고요. 이어 제가 “I see. 아, 그렇구나.” 라고 했습니다.

Now keep today’s expression ‘(every) now and then’ in mind and let’s hear the conversation again. 그럼 다시 한번 대화를 들어볼까요?

Jen: Do you like going to the movies?
Jason: Yes, I do enjoy watching movies.
Jen: Oh, then you must go often then.
Jason: Not really. It’s because the movie tickets are quite expensive now so I only go every now and then.
Jen: I see.

Today’s expression is (every) now and then. This expression means occasionally, from time to time. You can also say, every once in a while OR every so often.

(Every) now and then 은 ‘가끔, 때때로, 때로는’이라는 뜻입니다. Every once in a while이나 every so often도 같은 의미입니다. 오늘 본문에서 Jason이 영화 성인요금이 많이 비싸졌다고 극장에 가끔만 간다고 했죠. “I only go every now and then.” 라고요.

이렇게 now and then 또는 every now and then은 어떤 것을 띄엄띄엄할 때 쓸 수 있는 표현입니다. 예문을 통해 알아보겠습니다. “Randy would call me every now and then to see how I’m doing.”라고 하면 ‘랜디는 나한테 드문드문 안부 전화해.” 라는 뜻이 됩니다.

또 다른 예를 들어 보겠습니다. “Every now and then, I like to eat out at restaurants.” 라고 하면 “때때로 레스토랑에서 외식하는 걸 좋아해.” 라는 뜻이 됩니다. Now you know what today’s expression ‘(every) now and then’ means right? Then we will listen to the conversation for the last time.

Jen: Do you like going to the movies?
Jason: Yes, I do enjoy watching movies.
Jen: Oh, then you must go often then.
Jason: Not really. It’s because the movie tickets are quite expensive now so I only go every now and then.
Jen: I see.

Let’s review. (Every) now and then means occasionally, from time to time. (EVERY) NOW AND THEN. Now try using this expression on your own.