十二生肖(Twelve Chinese Zodiac Signs )是中国人习惯上用来表示出生年份的十二种动物，即鼠、牛、虎、兔、龙、蛇、马、羊、猴、鸡、狗、猪。每十二年循坏一次，每年都与一个属相对应。长期以来，人类与十二生肖有着一种特殊的关系。 据说这些动物所代表的年份能影响人的性格，这和西方文化中的十二星座(constellation)类似。
【参考译文】
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.
【翻译原文】
送礼在中国是种常见礼仪(etiquette)，人们借此表达对友谊、款待的感激或感谢。然而，中国送礼和收礼的礼节与其他文化大为不同。在很长一段历史时期里，当朋友送礼物或款待自己时，有礼貌的`人会回报朋友的关心和好意。他们会挑选一个合适的场合礼尚往来，因为他们认为这对加深关系很重要。礼物的选择取决于两人的关系，这与世界上大多数文化都相同。
【参考译文】
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.
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