Abstract：
International business activity is one of the important factors influencing international relationship. English business negotiations are more frequently appeared in economic activities because of the development of our country’s economy and extendedness of opening to the outside world. But there may be some problems out of expectation in the process of negotiations. At this time, flexible language usually takes effect—euphemism. Euphemisms are usually politely and indirectly applied to state one’s viewpoints and make requirements and suggestions so as to establish harmonious business environment and gain success in international competition. In English business negotiations, there are many ways to show the applications of euphemism, such as adopting softened verbalism, empathic technique and giving partners an out in this paper. And the expressive techniques of euphemism in English business negotiation are flexible and abundant, such as: passive voice, subjunctive mood, negative voice and tense backwards. Euphemism in English business negotiation can alleviate the atmosphere of negotiation, uphold the faces of negotiating parties as well as establish business relationships on a regular basis. This paper points out mastering and appropriately adopting the euphemism could help to obtain the aim of negotiation. And a good business relation after achieving a negotiation is one of negotiation results needed by both parties. Therefore, amicable trade relations are one of the key factors which are used to evaluate the success of a negotiation. The importance of application of euphemism in an English business negotiation just lies in the fact that it can help establish such relations between both parties.

Key words: euphemism; English business negotiation; applications of euphemism; expressive techniques of euphemism; functions of euphemism

摘  要：
国际商务活动是国际关系的一个重要内容。由于我国经济的发展和对外开放的进一步扩大，英语商务谈判已越来越多的在经济中出现，但有时谈判中会出现许多意想不到的问题。此时，灵活的语言往往能起到化险为夷的作用，如委婉语。在商务英语中，常借助委婉语礼貌、间接地陈述自己的观点，提出要求或建议，以便建立良好的商务环境，在国际竞争中获取成功。商务英语中委婉语的应用比较多样，文中从温和言辞的应用、感情移入和为对方提供台阶三个方面来描述。而其表达技巧也比较灵活多彩，例如被动语态法、虚拟语气法、否定法和时态倒推法。委婉语在商务英语中能起到缓和谈判的氛围、维护谈判双方的面子和建立长期的业务关系的作用。本文提出掌握并熟练运用委婉语，有助于顺利达到谈判的目的。协议达成后，双方仍能保持良好的商务关系是谈判的结果之一。所以，评价一场谈判成功与否的标准之一就是融洽的合作关系。而在商务英语谈判中，委婉语应用的重要性则体现在它有利于谈判双方建立这种合作的关系。

关键词：委婉语；商务谈判；委婉语的运用；委婉语的表达技巧；委婉语的功能