一个外宾想上厕所,便对翻译说:“I wonder if I can go somewhere?”(我可以方便一下吗?)而翻译却把somewhere误解为“某处”,因而回答道“Yes, you can go anywhere in China.”(行,中国你哪儿都可以去。)外宾不禁愕然。可见,如不了解英语中“厕所”的一些表达法是会误事的。
1.Public lavatory意为“公厕”, 在公共场所,厕所门上都标有Gent’s(男厕),或Ladies’(女厕),有时也标有Men’s, Men’s room, Gentleman’s, Women’s Women’s room.如:Where is the Gent’s?(厕所在哪儿?)If you would like a wash, the Gentleman’s is just over there.(如果要上厕所,男厕就在那边。)