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A same phrase in different cultures
Message from sarah199023 posted on 20-03-2009 at 16:03:25 (D | E | F)
We know that the same phrase in different culture has different meanings, take "a moment" for example, How much time exactly does "a moment" means to you, when you say "a moment please to people"?
A. Instantly
B.5 mins later
C. 10 mins later
D. 30 mins later
E. or more, please post it
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Edited by lucile83 on 20-03-2009 20:56
English Only forum
Message from sarah199023 posted on 20-03-2009 at 16:03:25 (D | E | F)
We know that the same phrase in different culture has different meanings, take "a moment" for example, How much time exactly does "a moment" means to you, when you say "a moment please to people"?
A. Instantly
B.5 mins later
C. 10 mins later
D. 30 mins later
E. or more, please post it
-------------------
Edited by lucile83 on 20-03-2009 20:56
English Only forum
Re: A same phrase in different cultures from sarah199023, posted on 20-03-2009 at 16:12:56 (D | E)
I forgot to say that please post your nationality together~
Re: A same phrase in different cultures from brettdallen, posted on 20-03-2009 at 20:28:27 (D | E)
Good evening,
In France, the equivalent of "a moment" can be something like "a few seconds" or "a few minutes". Now we also use "un moment" to mean "a quite long time"(here, it works in a similar way as the English "while").
I hope it helps. Bye.
Re: A same phrase in different cultures from TravisKidd, posted on 20-03-2009 at 20:48:56 (D | E)
In America, a "moment" is, literally, synonymous with an "instant", but in practice it can be used for any short period of time (several minutes at most).
Re: A same phrase in different cultures from jonquille, posted on 20-03-2009 at 21:32:00 (D | E)
...and here in New England (northeast USA), a moment is totally dependent on what you are doing!
It can be anywhere from a minute...to up to 10 minutes. But then, if you forget....those minutes become even longer! In the same way that "down the road apiece" can be anywhere from just around the corner, to several km away!
Re: A same phrase in different cultures from , posted on 16-04-2009 at 07:07:32 (D | E)
In China,means about 5-10 minutes
Re: A same phrase in different cultures from paz1104, posted on 26-04-2009 at 18:05:33 (D | E)
In Brazil it means about 5 minutes.
Re: A same phrase in different cultures from , posted on 26-04-2009 at 22:39:38 (D | E)
In my country it means wait for me as long as you can!
Re: A same phrase in different cultures from dxwno1, posted on 27-04-2009 at 07:13:36 (D | E)
I think in Chinese restaurant when the waiter says in a moment,they usually means you have to wait patient,so I think i choose D
Re: A same phrase in different cultures from jmarcel, posted on 28-04-2009 at 16:47:23 (D | E)
For me (in France) "un moment" or "un instant" mean "I can't do it immediatly I'll do it when I will have time"
Re: A same phrase in different cultures from selma, posted on 28-04-2009 at 17:15:43 (D | E)
It means instantly, but sometimes, that is said to catch the attention of the other, or to say, : can i take a moment from your time
Hope this help
Re: A same phrase in different cultures from leacherlee, posted on 29-04-2009 at 11:01:19 (D | E)
In my opinion,in China,the "a moment" generally means "wait until I finish the things I was doing".Therefor,if a Chinese tell you "a moment please",you must sit down and look at him/her.If he or she has finished the things,he or she will smile to you and says "may I help you?"
Re: A same phrase in different cultures from morteza-0207, posted on 29-04-2009 at 11:34:13 (D | E)
I think a moment means Instantly I choose A
Re: A same phrase in different cultures from , posted on 29-04-2009 at 14:05:05 (D | E)
It depends. Sometimes when the speaker says "a moment," maybe he or she is not sure how long the moment may take. Maybe it is just an excuse or an indication of hesistation to do something. So "a moment" could be as short as a few seconds and as long as God knows when.
Re: A same phrase in different cultures from ingayka, posted on 29-05-2009 at 21:20:59 (D | E)
In Azerbaijan,it's the same as Lucy916 said.that's it takes just few second to overcome the problem that occured,or something like this......
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Edited by lucile83 le 29-05-2009 21:30
Colour of the text.
Re: A same phrase in different cultures from phamtoan, posted on 06-06-2009 at 09:12:05 (D | E)
In Viet Nam, it means 5 minutes. I chose A
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Edited by phamtoan le 06-06-2009 09:13
Re: A same phrase in different cultures from , posted on 06-06-2009 at 14:31:05 (D | E)
in Morocco that means 5 minutes or less. perhaps a few seconds.
Re: A same phrase in different cultures from xu_sindy, posted on 16-06-2009 at 19:49:54 (D | E)
In China, it means just a little time, like 5 to 10 minute.
Re: A same phrase in different cultures from ismailus, posted on 16-06-2009 at 21:24:53 (D | E)
it depend on the context and the
current action
Re: A same phrase in different cultures from myle, posted on 21-06-2009 at 00:11:10 (D | E)
Hi! ' a moment' means for us like ' some seconds' or ' a few minutes - but not much time, perhaps it is until 5 minutes. Not more.
Re: A same phrase in different cultures from averysupergirl, posted on 21-06-2009 at 00:22:09 (D | E)
In Tunisia 'a moment' means not much time but it can be a few minutes.
Re: A same phrase in different cultures from samanda, posted on 01-07-2009 at 15:30:04 (D | E)
In Canada un moment means like I am rigt back can be dy sec ,one min dosent mener .I mean depend at you doing and how much time it gets to you to finish
Re: A same phrase in different cultures from carlla, posted on 16-07-2009 at 15:25:12 (D | E)
Almost in every country "a moment" is assimilated to a few seconds, or some minutes. I depends on the train of moments in which it is used. So, it's not about the fact that 'a moment' has a different meaning from country to country, but the sequence it refers to which varies according to the situation
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