“你会讲中文吗”千万不能说“Can you speak Chinese”！太尴尬
Don’t Say : Can you speak Chinese
Say:Do you speak Chinese?
Or (当你已知某人是会中文的): Would/Could you speak Chinese，please？
我们都知道can是“能”的意思，所以用can提问就多少有点询问对方是否有某些能力的意思，但其实你并不想知道对方有没有掌握中文的能力，只是简单问会不会说。这么看来，这个问句就带有些许质疑别人能力的意味，老外多少会觉得不舒服。而用do则语气上缓和了许多。
Don’t Say: I Want A Hamburger.
Say: I’d Like A Hamburger.
Or: I’ll Have A Hamburger, Please.
“I want” sounds like a demand, as if you are commanding the other person to fulfill your desires. “I’d like” is a more polite and diplomatic phrase. When ordering food and drinks, we often use “I’ll have…”
“I want”听起来就像是命令，好像你在要求别人满足你的需求一样。“I’d like”则是一种更礼貌的交往用语。当点餐时，我们经常用“I’ll have…”。
Don’t Say: Send Me The Report.
Say: Could You Send Me The Report?
To maintain good relationships with coworkers, it’s best not to use imperatives (that's starting a sentence directly with a verb like “Reply to my e-mail,” “Go to the bank,” “Finish this project.”)
为了和同事保持良好的关系，最好不要使用祈使句（以动词开头，像是“回复我的邮件”“去银行”“完成项目”）
Instead, make requests with the qustions starting with Could you…? and Could you please…?
而是应该用Could you…?或者Could you please…?来提出请求。
Don’t Say: Go Away. / Leave Me Alone.
Say: Could You Give Me A Minute?
Or: Sorry – I’m A Bit Busy Right Now.
If a colleague approaches you at a bad time and you want the person to leave, don's say 'go away'. The phrases“Could you give me a minute?” is for when you just need a few moments to finish up what you’re working on, and then you’ll talk with the person.
如果你的同事在一个非常不好的时机来找你，你想让他离开，用一些平和的短语。“Could you give me a minute?”用在当你需要一些时间去完成你手头的活儿，之后你会去找你的同事谈话时。
You can use the other phrase, “Sorry – I’m a bit busy right now” when you’re in the middle of work that can’t be interrupted. You can follow up with the phrase“Can we talk a little later?” and agree on a time when you’re both available.
你也可以用“Sorry – I’m a bit busy right now”，当你正处于工作中不能被打扰时。接着说一句“Can we talk a little later?”，然后约一个你们俩都有空的时间。
Don’t Say: Tell Me When You’re Available.
Say: Let Me Know When You’re Available.
“Let me know” is a nicer and more indirect way to say “tell me.” It’s a casual way to ask for some information. Alternatively, you could simply ask the question, “When are you available?”
“Let me know”是一个说“tell me”的更友善不那么直接的方式。这是一种随意舒适的询问信息的方式。或者，你可以更简单的问：“When are you available?”。
今天的内容都学会了么？