Abstract:Language communication is an important way to maintain social relationship, so people often choose appropriate expressions to achieve agreeable conversation. Euphemism is a kind of polite and roundabout mode of expression, using the indirect or pleasant words to replace those unpleasant, rude or offensive ones in communication. Euphemism is not only a linguistic phenomenon, but also a cultural phenomenon. It discloses some corresponding cultural traditions. This paper analyzes the differences between English euphemism and Chinese euphemism from the aspects of their respective culture and formation. What is more, a variety of typical examples are listed for a better understanding. The goal of this thesis is to help people to employ euphemism properly in everyday life.

Key words: euphemism; culture; difference

摘要:语言交际是维持社会关系的重要手段，人们经常采用合适的措辞来达到愉快的交谈。委婉语是一种礼貌和迂回的表达方式，它使用含蓄的，使人感到愉快的含糊词汇来代替交际中令人不悦、粗俗或带有冒犯意味的措辞。委婉语不但是一种语言现象，它还是一种文化现象。委婉语可以显示出一些相应的文化传统。本文从文化和委婉语的构成方式两方面对英汉委婉语进行了对比分析，并且为了读者更好地理解英汉委婉语之间的差异列举了大量的例子进行说明。本文旨在帮助人们在日常生活中恰当地运用委婉语。

关键词：委婉语；文化；差异