比如,中國(guó)人在餐廳或咖啡廳,會(huì)說(shuō):“我想要一個(gè)漢堡包”或者“我想要一杯咖啡”。但是,如果直接把這些話(huà)翻譯成英語(yǔ)“I want to have a hamburger.”或“I want to have a coffee.”老外們會(huì)覺(jué)得這樣說(shuō)話(huà)很沒(méi)有禮貌,當(dāng)然他們也不會(huì)直接告訴你。而在西方國(guó)家,老外們一般會(huì)說(shuō):“Could I have a hamburger, please?”或“Can I have a coffee, please?”
再比如,中國(guó)人在拒絕別人邀請(qǐng)的午宴或晚宴時(shí),會(huì)說(shuō):“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(shuō),那別人第二次也許不會(huì)再邀請(qǐng)你了。老外們一般會(huì)這樣說(shuō):“That is a good idea! I would like to join in but I have another appointment today.”