十二生肖(Twelve Chinese Zodiac Signs )是中國人習慣上用來表示出生年份的十二種動物，即鼠、牛、虎、兔、龍、蛇、馬、羊、猴、雞、狗、豬。每十二年循壞一次，每年都與一個屬相對應。長期以來，人類與十二生肖有着一種特殊的關係。 據說這些動物所代表的年份能影響人的性格，這和西方文化中的.十二星座(constellation)類似。
【參考譯文】
Twelve Chinese Zodiac Signs are the twelve kinds of animals which Chinese people customarily use to mark the year in which a person was bom. They are Rat，Ox, Tiger，Rabbit，Dragon，Snake，Horse，Goat，Monkey，Rooster，Dog and Pig. It is based on a twelve-year cycle; each year in that cycle corresponds to an animal sign. For a long time there has been a special relationship between humans and the twelve zodiacal animals. It is believed that the year represented by the animal affects one’s character in the same manner as the constellation adopted by western culture.
【翻譯原文】
送禮在中國是種常見禮儀(etiquette)，人們藉此表達對友誼、款待的感激或感謝。然而，中國送禮和收禮的禮節與其他文化大爲不同。在很長一段歷史時期裏，當朋友送禮物或款待自己時，有禮貌的人會回報朋友的關心和好意。他們會挑選一個合適的場合禮尚往來，因爲他們認爲這對加深關係很重要。禮物的選擇取決於兩人的關係，這與世界上大多數文化都相同。
【參考譯文】
Giving gifts in China is a common etiquette used toexpress appreciation or gratitude for friendship orhospitality. However, Chinese etiquette of givingreceiving gifts differs a lot from that in othercultures. For a long time in history,people of goodmanners would return favors and kindness when receiving a treat from a friend. They wouldpick up a suitable occasion to offer back as they regard it important to strengthen theirrelationship. As it is the same with most cultures in the world, what to give depends on theirrelationship.
