What Does It Really Mean? British Politeness

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.]

Score: 0 / 25

1. That might be a bit difficult. ______
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. ______
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. ______
a) I completely agree.
b) I disagree.
c) I did not hear you.
[Ich bin nicht ganz überzeugt.]

4. That timeline seems rather ambitious. ______
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. ______
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. ______
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. ______
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. ______
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. ______
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. ______
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. ______
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. ______
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. ______
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. ______
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. ______
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. ______
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. ______
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. ______
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. ______
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. ______
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? ______
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. ______
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. ______
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. ______
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. ______
a) That was handled very well.
b) That was handled badly.
c) That was handled quickly.
[Das hätte besser gehandhabt werden können.]

Score: 0 / 25