What Does It Really Mean? British Politeness
British business English is often polite, indirect and softened.
A sentence may sound friendly and mild, but the real meaning is often stronger.
[Ein Satz kann freundlich und mild klingen, aber die eigentliche Bedeutung ist oft stärker.]
In these exercises, choose the real meaning behind the polite British sentence.
[Wähle in diesen Übungen die eigentliche Bedeutung hinter dem höflichen britischen Satz.]
Example:
That might be a bit difficult.
[Das könnte etwas schwierig sein.]
Real meaning:
It will probably not work.
[Es wird wahrscheinlich nicht funktionieren.]
1. That might be a bit difficult.
______
It will not work.
a) It is slightly complicated.
b) It will not work.
c) It is easy.
[Das könnte etwas schwierig sein.]
2. We may need to revisit the pricing.
______
The price is too high.
a) The price is too high.
b) The price is perfect.
c) There is no price yet.
[Wir müssen die Preisgestaltung möglicherweise noch einmal prüfen.]
3. I’m not entirely convinced.
______
I disagree.
a) I completely agree.
b) I disagree.
c) I did not hear you.
[Ich bin nicht ganz überzeugt.]
4. That timeline seems rather ambitious.
______
The timeline is unrealistic.
a) The timeline is excellent.
b) The timeline is flexible.
c) The timeline is unrealistic.
[Dieser Zeitplan wirkt eher ambitioniert.]
5. Perhaps we could look at another option.
______
I do not want this option.
a) I do not want this option.
b) This option is perfect.
c) I have no opinion.
[Vielleicht könnten wir uns eine andere Option ansehen.]
6. I’m not sure that would work for us.
______
We cannot agree to that.
a) We might agree later.
b) We cannot agree to that.
c) We love the idea.
[Ich bin mir nicht sicher, ob das für uns funktionieren würde.]
7. There seems to be a small issue.
______
There is a problem.
a) Everything is fine.
b) There is a problem.
c) The issue is already solved.
[Es scheint ein kleines Problem zu geben.]
8. That’s not ideal.
______
That is a serious problem.
a) That is acceptable.
b) That is wonderful.
c) That is a serious problem.
[Das ist nicht ideal.]
9. We might want to adjust the figures.
______
The figures are wrong.
a) The figures are wrong.
b) The figures are final.
c) The figures are not important.
[Wir sollten die Zahlen vielleicht anpassen.]
10. That could be tricky.
______
That may not be possible.
a) That is very easy.
b) That may not be possible.
c) That is already arranged.
[Das könnte schwierig sein.]
11. It might be worth reviewing this section.
______
This section needs improvement.
a) This section is excellent.
b) This section needs improvement.
c) This section should be deleted immediately.
[Es könnte sinnvoll sein, diesen Abschnitt zu überprüfen.]
12. I was wondering if you could send that today.
______
Please send it today.
a) Send it next week.
b) You do not need to send it.
c) Please send it today.
[Ich habe mich gefragt, ob Sie das heute schicken könnten.]
13. That’s quite a significant increase.
______
The increase is too high.
a) The increase is too high.
b) The increase is very small.
c) The increase is unimportant.
[Das ist ein ziemlich deutlicher Anstieg.]
14. We may need a little more time.
______
We cannot finish on time.
a) We are already finished.
b) We cannot finish on time.
c) We want to stop the project.
[Wir brauchen möglicherweise etwas mehr Zeit.]
15. I’m afraid Friday may be a bit difficult.
______
Friday is not possible.
a) Friday is the best day.
b) Friday is not possible.
c) Friday is not confirmed yet, but probably yes.
[Ich fürchte, Freitag könnte etwas schwierig sein.]
16. We may have slightly different priorities.
______
We do not agree on this.
a) We agree completely.
b) We have the same priorities.
c) We do not agree on this.
[Wir haben möglicherweise leicht unterschiedliche Prioritäten.]
17. That’s an interesting suggestion.
______
I am not convinced by your idea.
a) I am not convinced by your idea.
b) I definitely support your idea.
c) I did not understand your idea.
[Das ist ein interessanter Vorschlag.]
18. We might need to think about that again.
______
We should change the plan.
a) The plan is final.
b) We should change the plan.
c) We should ignore the plan.
[Wir sollten darüber vielleicht noch einmal nachdenken.]
19. This is perhaps a little unclear.
______
This needs to be clearer.
a) This is very clear.
b) This needs to be clearer.
c) This should be removed.
[Das ist vielleicht etwas unklar.]
20. That may be slightly optimistic.
______
That is unrealistic.
a) That is achievable.
b) That is nearly finished.
c) That is unrealistic.
[Das ist möglicherweise etwas optimistisch.]
21. Would you mind sending the revised version?
______
Please send the revised version.
a) Please send the revised version.
b) Keep the old version.
c) Delete the document.
[Würden Sie bitte die überarbeitete Version schicken?]
22. We’re not quite there yet.
______
The work is not finished.
a) The work is almost perfect and complete.
b) The work is not finished.
c) The work has failed completely.
[Wir sind noch nicht ganz am Ziel.]
23. I’m not sure the client would be keen on that.
______
The client probably will not like it.
a) The client definitely loves it.
b) The client has no opinion.
c) The client probably will not like it.
[Ich bin nicht sicher, ob der Kunde davon begeistert wäre.]
24. We might have to leave that for now.
______
We will not deal with it now.
a) We will not deal with it now.
b) We will finish it immediately.
c) We will cancel everything.
[Wir müssen das vielleicht erst einmal so stehen lassen.]
25. That could have been handled better.
______
That was handled badly.
a) That was handled very well.
b) That was handled badly.
c) That was handled quickly.
[Das hätte besser gehandhabt werden können.]