比如,中國人在餐廳或咖啡廳,會說:“我想要一個漢堡包”或者“我想要一杯咖啡”。但是,如果直接把這些話翻譯成英語“I want to have a hamburger.”或“I want to have a coffee.”老外們會覺得這樣說話很沒有禮貌,當(dāng)然他們也不會直接告訴你。而在西方國家,老外們一般會說:“Could I have a hamburger, please?”或“Can I have a coffee, please?”
再比如,中國人在拒絕別人邀請的午宴或晚宴時,會說:“抱歉,我不能去,我還有別的安排。”翻譯成英文就是“Sorry,I can’t. I have another appointment.”如果這樣說,那別人第二次也許不會再邀請你了。老外們一般會這樣說:“That is a good idea! I would like to join in but I have another appointment today.”