この発音は、「got」と「you」が連結されたときに、中間の「t」と「y」が弱くなり、「ch」と聞こえる現象です。これは「want you」「need you」「let you」などの場合にも起こります。例えば「I want you to do this.」は「アイワンチュートゥードゥース」と発音されます。
A: I need you to finish this report by tomorrow.(明日までにこのレポートを仕上げてほしい。)
B: Gotcha. I’ll do my best.(わかった。頑張るよ。)
A: Don’t forget to lock the door when you leave.(出かけるときにドアに鍵をかけるのを忘れないでね。)
B: Gotcha. Thanks for reminding me.(わかった。教えてくれてありがとう。)
捕まえた!
「gotcha」は「I have you」という意味で使われることがあります。相手を捕まえたり、追いついたりしたときに、勝ち誇ったり、安心したりする感情を表します。
A: You can’t catch me!(私は捕まらないよ!)
B: Gotcha! You’re it!(捕まえた!お前が鬼だ!)
A: Where have you been? I’ve been looking for you everywhere.(どこにいたの?あちこち探したよ。)
B: Gotcha! I was hiding behind the sofa.(捕まえた!ソファーの後ろに隠れてたんだ。)
A: I’m feeling a bit down today. I had a fight with my boyfriend.
B: Oh, no. What happened?
A: He forgot our anniversary and went out with his friends instead.
B: That’s terrible. I’m so sorry. Gotcha.
A: Thanks. You’re such a good friend.
A: I need you to prepare a proposal for the new project by next week. Can you handle that?
B: Yes, I can. Gotcha.
A: Great. And make sure you include the budget and the timeline in the proposal.
B: Gotcha. I’ll work on it right away.
A: Thank you for joining the meeting today. It was very productive and insightful.
B: Thank you for inviting me. I learned a lot from you.
A: I have a favor to ask you. Could you send me a summary of the main points we discussed today?
B: Sure, no problem. Gotcha.
A: Thank you very much. I appreciate your cooperation.
B: Gotcha. My pleasure.
A: Freeze! You’re under arrest!
B: What? Why? I didn’t do anything wrong!
A: Don’t play dumb with me. We have evidence that you’re the mastermind behind the bank robbery.
B: Evidence? What evidence?
A: This video footage of you planning the heist with your accomplices. Gotcha!
B: No… this can’t be…
A: Hey, I have a surprise for you.
B: Really? What is it?
A: Close your eyes and follow me.
B: OK, I’m curious.
A: All right, we’re here. Open your eyes.
B: Wow! You got me a new car! Thank you so much!
A: Gotcha!
B: You’re the best!