Sometimes something is so amazing because it’s different – really unique. Learn how you can talk about something special in English!
Jiaying
Welcome to The English We Speak with me, Jiaying…
Neil
… and me, Neil. What are you doing?
Jiaying
I’m just listening to the latest song by the ‘Parrots with Banjos’.
Neil
Wow – it must be really good – you’re really nodding your head!
Jiaying
Yes – it’s amazing – it really hits different.
Neil
I’m sorry – what? You got hit by a parrot with a banjo? I would agree – that does hit differently.
Jiaying
No, Neil. We use the expression ‘hits different’ to say it appeals to you in a unique way – something that is special.
Neil
Ahhh – I get you – so you really like the song because it hits different?
Jiaying
Exactly! You need to check it out while I listen to these examples.
Examples
His new art exhibition really hits different. There’s something so special about the way he paints.
What Debora says always hits different. She is so wise.
That new novel hits different. It deals with some serious issues and I found it really interesting.
Jiaying
You’re listening to The English We Speak from BBC Learning English, and we’re talking about the expression ‘hits different’. If something ‘hits different’, it means that thing is a special or unique example of something.
Neil
Yes! So you can use it to talk about your favourite thing – a song or film for example.
Jiaying
It you can also say why it hits different – maybe it changes your mood. For example, that love song was amazing – it really hits different, it makes me feel a bit sentimental.
Neil
And sometimes we can use it to be a bit negative – but we show that through the tone of our voice.
Jiaying
So, did you like that song I was listening to?
Neil
Honestly, no. It’s really weird – certainly hits different. It doesn’t sound like a professional band at all!
Jiaying
That’s because it’s not. Parrots with banjos isn’t the name of a band – it really is a flock of parrots that found some banjos and made some music.
Neil
Wow. I stand corrected – that is pretty amazing.
Jiaying
Yes – it hits different! Bye, Neil.
Neil
Bye.
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