一個外賓想上廁所,便對翻譯說:“I wonder if I can go somewhere?”(我可以方便一下嗎?)而翻譯卻把somewhere誤解為“某處”,因而回答道“Yes, you can go anywhere in China.”(行,中國你哪兒都可以去。)外賓不禁愕然??梢?,如不了解英語中“廁所”的一些表達法是會誤事的。
1.Public lavatory意為“公廁”, 在公共場所,廁所門上都標有Gent’s(男廁),或Ladies’(女廁),有時也標有Men’s, Men’s room, Gentleman’s, Women’s Women’s room.如:Where is the Gent’s?(廁所在哪兒?)If you would like a wash, the Gentleman’s is just over there.(如果要上廁所,男廁就在那邊。)