gaffe と faux pas

中国の胡錦涛・国家主席を迎える式典で、米中両国の国歌が演奏される前に、米国側のアナウンサーが中国のことを「中華民国」（台湾の正式名称）と呼んでしまったという記事からの抜粋です。



One gaffe during the elaborate arrival ceremony threatened the delicate balancing act. Before the playing of the two countries' national anthems, a White House announcer referred to China as the "Republic of China," the formal name of Taiwan.


gaffe = an embarrasing mistake made in a social situation or in public

= a mistake that a person makes in public or in a social situation, especially sth embarrassing.

= an embarrasing mistake, expecially in something you say, that is made in a social situation or in public

（社交上の）失言、失態、失敗、へま

make a gaffe で 失態をしでかす。

発音は ジャフ です。


例文：

○ He made some real gaffes early in his career.

○ In France, using the familiar form "tu" ("you") in a business setting would be a major gaffe.

○ The counsul's comments were a major diplomatic gaffe.



類語で faux pas というのがあります。フォウ・パー と発音します。複数形になると フォウ・パーズ となります。つづりは単数でも複数でも faux pas です。


faux pas = (from french) [C] an action or a remark that causes embarrasment because it is no socially correct

= an embarrasing mistake in a social situation


（社交上の）失敗、不作法、失言

make a faux pas で 失態をしでかす。


例文：

○ Talking business at dinner is a faux pas in France.