Doing things in a practical, organised way, without wasting time and without a lot of feeling mixed in.

Doing things in a practical, organised way做事務實又有條理, without wasting time不浪費時間, and without a lot of feeling mixed in也不摻太多情緒

A businesslike person gets straight to the point, is clear about what needs to happen, and does not chat much. It can describe a person, but just as often it describes a manner, a tone, a meeting, or a letter: 'a businesslike tone', 'a short businesslike email'.

A businesslike person一個businesslike的人 gets straight to the point會直接切入重點, is clear about what needs to happen清楚知道該做什麼, and does not chat much也不太閒聊. It can describe a person它可以形容一個人, but just as often但也常常 it describes a manner是形容一種態度, a tone語氣, a meeting會議, or a letter或一封信: 'a businesslike tone'『a businesslike tone』, 'a short businesslike email'『a short businesslike email』

Note that it does not really mean 'good at business' — you can be businesslike while cooking dinner or clearing a classroom. The word is about STYLE, not about work in an office.

Note that要注意, it does not really mean 'good at business'它不是真的指「很會做生意」 — you can be businesslike你可以businesslike地 while cooking dinner煮晚餐 or clearing a classroom或整理教室. The word is about STYLE這個詞講的是做事的風格, not about work in an office不是指在辦公室工作

The feeling behind it is usually positive, or at least neutral: it is a compliment when you want someone competent and quick. But it has a cool edge.

The feeling behind it背後的感覺 is usually positive通常是正面的, or at least neutral或至少是中性的: it is a compliment這是一種稱讚 when you want someone competent and quick當你希望對方能幹又俐落的時候. But it has a cool edge不過它帶著一點冷冷的感覺

If a friend comforts you in a businesslike way, something is missing — you wanted warmth and got efficiency. So in English people often use it to say, quietly, that someone was efficient AND a little distant. Which one is meant depends on what the situation called for.

If a friend comforts you in a businesslike way如果朋友用businesslike的方式安慰你, something is missing就少了點什麼 — you wanted warmth and got efficiency你想要的是溫暖，得到的卻是效率. So in English people often use it所以英文裡人們常用這個詞, to say, quietly悄悄地說, that someone was efficient AND a little distant某人做事有效率但也有點疏離. Which one is meant哪個意思才對, depends on what the situation called for要看當時情境需要什麼