Abstract: This thesis aims to make further exploration and study on the discrepancies between Chinese and American taboo and improve the ability of cross-cultural communication. First, the thesis introduces the definition and features of taboo. Then, the differences between Chinese and American taboo are analyzed from four aspects, namely, death, appellations, private matters and figures. Next, the causes of differences are analyzed in the aspects of traditions, histories and religious beliefs between China and America. At last, it proposes two ways to promote cross-cultural communication, namely, accumulating taboo cultures between China and America and using euphemism. 

Key words: taboo; discrepancies; cross-cultural communication

摘要：本文旨在进一步探索与研究中美禁忌语的差异，从而提高跨文化交际的能力。首先介绍了禁忌语的定义及特征，然后从死亡、称呼、个人隐私及数字四方面分析了中美禁忌语的差异，并从中美两国不同的传统、历史和宗教信仰三个方面分析其差异原因，最后指出了促进跨文化交际的两种途径，即积累中美禁忌文化和使用委婉语。

关键词：禁忌语；差异；跨文化交际