Whether you call it an excuse or a white lie, everyone has said something untrue at some point in their lives. White lies are the little lies we tell others when we want to avoid hurting their feelings or causing offense. The word “white” is used because many people associate the color with purity and goodness.
The main difference between a white lie and a serious lie is the intent. When people tell a white lie, it is usually because they don’t want to hurt the other person’s feelings. It is also often based on something that is partially true. In contrast, a serious lie is one that is meant to mislead another person or has no truth in it.
無論你稱之為藉口還是善意的謊言，每個人一生中都在某些時刻說過一些不實之言。善意的謊言指的是我們為了避免傷他人的心或冒犯他人而說的小謊言。之所以用「white（白色）」這個字，是因為許多人將這個顏色與純潔和善良聯想在一起。
善意的謊言和嚴重的謊言之間的主要區別在於意圖。當人們說善意的謊言時，通常是因為不想傷對方的心。它也常常是基於部分事實。相較之下，嚴重的謊言則是一種有意誤導他人或完全沒有事實根據的謊言。
生活必備字詞：
offense n. 冒犯
associate A with B 將 A 和 B 聯想在一起
associate vt. 把……聯想在一起
be meant to V 目的∕用意是要……
mislead vt. 誤導
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本文節錄自《常春藤生活英語》雜誌，完整內容請見三月號。
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