Asking if someone is pregnant
Informal Can sound rude
What it really means
Never ask, and never offer congratulations, unless the person has told you themselves. If you're wrong, it's one of the most embarrassing mistakes possible in Britain. Even offering a seat to someone who might be pregnant is done carefully — "Would you like to sit down?" without giving a reason.
Chinese explanation
除非对方亲口告诉你，否则永远不要问别人是否怀孕，也不要道喜。万一猜错，这在英国是最尴尬的失误之一。就连给疑似孕妇让座也要讲究方式——只说"您要坐吗？"，不说原因。
Example conversation
A: Should I congratulate Emma? She looks like she might be expecting.
B: Don't! Never ask if someone is pregnant. Wait until she tells you herself.
A：我该恭喜Emma吗？她看起来像是怀孕了。
B：千万别！永远不要问别人是不是怀孕了。等她自己说。
What you could say back
No spoken reply needed for this one.
Related phrases
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Reviewed by the UK Decoded editorial team
· Last checked 24 July 2026 · Report a mistake