第一篇:英語諺語及其翻譯技巧
英語諺語及其翻譯技巧
公元前55年,古羅馬統帥愷撒征服不列顛島,而英國歷史上真正的“羅馬人的征服”(Roman Conquest)是在公元43年開始的。從此羅馬人占領不列顛400年之久。羅馬人的文化對不列顛的影響仍留在島上,在今天的英語諺語中仍然可以找到歷史的痕跡。
BC, the Roman commander in chief Kai Caesar conquered the British Isles, British history, real Romans conquered the Roman, of Conquest in 43 AD.Since then, the Roman occupation of Britain 400 years.Romans cultural impact on Britain to remain on the island, you can still find traces of history in today's English proverbs
例如:
Do in Rome as the Romans do.在羅馬就要過羅馬人的生活。(喻:入鄉隨俗。)
Rome was not built in a day.羅馬不是一天建成的。(喻:偉業非一日之功。)
All roads lead to Rome.條條道路通羅馬.(喻:殊途同歸。)
諺語的產生與人們生活和勞動的地理環境習習相關。英國是一個島國,位于歐洲西部大西洋中的不列顛諸島上,南面有英吉利海峽(the English Channel),多拂爾海峽(the straits of Dover),東面隔北海(the North Sea)。這里的海上運輸業和漁業特別發達,因此留下了不少與航海業和漁業有關的諺語。
Proverb generation and people's lives and labor of the geographical environment breeze.Britain is an island, located in western Europe in the Atlantic Ocean on the British Isles, the south the English Channel(the English Channel), and more brush Seoul Strait(the straits of Dover), the east separated from the North Sea(the North Sea).Of maritime transport and fisheries developed, thus leaving a lot of proverbs related to the maritime industry and fisheries
例如:
All is fish that comes to his net.進到網里的都是魚。
這條諺語的比喻意義是“任何有用的東西或有好處的東西都來者不拒”,含有貶義。
Never offer to teach fish to swim.不要教魚兒游泳。
這條諺語的比喻意義是“不要在行人面前賣弄自己”。相當于漢語諺語“不要班們弄斧”。
He who would catch fish must not mind getting wet.要想抓魚就不能怕弄濕衣。
這條諺語的比喻意義與漢語諺語“要吃龍肉,就得親自下海”的比喻意義相似。
The great fish eat up the small.大魚吃小魚。
這條諺語形象的描繪出自然界和人類社會的激烈斗爭,相互傾軋的狀況。
He that would sail without danger must never come on the main sea.誰在航行時不冒險,他就永遠不要來到大海上。
這條諺語比喻“不付出就沒有收獲”,相當于漢語諺語“不入虎穴,焉得虎子”。
大不列顛島是典型的溫帶海洋性氣候,雨量充沛,風大霧多,降雨量特別大。因此產生了一條諺語:It never rains but it pours.(不雨則己,一雨傾盆)。
這條諺語的比喻意義是“倒霉的事情總是一起發生的”,相當于漢語成語“禍不單行”的意思。
風俗習慣是一個地區的人的生活方式,包括的東西很多,涉及生活的各個地域。它既受到一個民族的政治、經濟、宗教、文學等方面的影響,又必然反映出該民族的風俗習慣,諺語更是與風俗習慣緊密相關,英語諺語的翻譯離不開對英美風俗習慣的了解。The customs of the lifestyle of a region, including a lot of things involving the life of the various geographical.It necessarily reflect the customs of the nation by a nation's political, economic, religious, literary and other aspects of Proverbs more closely related with the customs of English proverbs and their translation is inseparable from the understanding of the Anglo-American customs.任何一個民族都有自己喜歡的動物,因此寵物文化有鮮明的地域性。中國人一般都鄙視狗,常用狗來比喻壞人壞事。但英美國家大都對狗有好感,認為狗是忠實可靠的朋友,其中一部分受到外來文化的影響而含有貶義外,大部分沒有貶義。在英美文化中,“狗”經常用來比喻人的生活,派生出許多諺語。
Any other people have their favorite animals, pet culture distinct regional.Chinese people generally despise dogs, used dogs to describe the bad guys a bad thing.But the Anglo-American countries, mostly the dog a good impression, that a dog is a loyal and reliable friends, some of which by the influence of foreign cultures which contain derogatory, no negative connotation.Anglo-American culture, “dog” is often used to describe the person's life, derived from the many proverbs.Every dog has his own day.(每只狗都有他的好時光。)
這條諺語比喻“人人都有得意的一天。”
An old dog barks not in rain.(老狗不亂吠。)
這條諺語比喻“老年人做事有經驗。”
Dog does not eat dog.(狗不吃狗。)
這條諺語比喻“一個人不應該攻擊或傷害同伙,或賺他的錢。”與這條英語習語相近的漢語有:“同室不操戈,同類不相殘。”
Love me, love my dog.(喜歡我,也要喜歡我的狗。)He that lies down with dogs must rise up with fleas.(與狗同眠的人身上必然有跳蚤。)這條諺語的比喻意義近似與漢語諺語“近朱者赤,近墨者黑。”
貓也是英美文化的寵物,多用來比喻女人,貓和狗一樣,常被比喻成人,自然也引出不少諺語。
All cats are grey in the dark.(所有的貓在黑暗中都是灰色的。)
這條諺語比喻“人在未成名時,很難看出有什么區別”。
A cat has nine lives.(貓有九命。)
在英美文化習俗中,傳說貓天資聰明,動作靈敏,在很多其他動物會被傷害的情況下,貓都能逃脫劫難。這條諺語比喻“生命力極強”。
A cat in gloves catches no mice.(戴手套的貓捉不到老鼠。)
這條諺語比喻“四肢不勤的人,什么事也做不出來”。
宗教是一種文化現象,諺語與文化的關系極為密切。更能折射出宗教對諺語的影響。英美國家,基督教起著特別重要的作用,所以很多諺語源自《圣經》,或與基督教有關。了解英美人的信仰對翻譯相關諺語起重要作用。
Religion is a cultural phenomenon, the relationship between proverbs and culture are very close.More a reflection of the religious proverbs.Anglo-American countries, Christianity plays a particularly important role, so a lot of proverbs from the Bible, or related to Christianity.Anglo-American faith plays an important role of translation-related proverbs
The heart knows his own bitterness.《圣經?箴言》
一顆心知道它自己的痛苦。
Every man must carry his own cross.(每個人必須背他自己的十字架。)
這條諺語來自《圣經》,cross(十字架)是耶穌走向死亡之地所帶的十字架,釘上十字架而死。cross一詞就有了“苦難”的轉義。這條諺語的意思是,人人都要忍受生活中的苦難,承擔自己的生活負擔。
Forbidden fruit(禁果)一語也出自《圣經》,并為眾人所周知。在《創世紀》中,亞當在伊甸園所吃的蘋果是禁果,這個典故使“Forbidden fruit”一語獲得“因被禁止反而想弄到手的東西”的轉義。從而產生:
Forbidden fruit is sweet.禁果是甜的。這句諺語表示“不讓得到的東西格外有誘惑力”。
在英語諺語翻譯的過程中,除了以上四個主要的因素需要認真考慮外,我們還要考慮到寓言神話、文學藝術和體育美術等因素還會影響到我們對英語諺語的翻譯和理解。
In addition to these four major factors that need to be carefully considered in the process of English proverbs, we have to take into account the allegorical myth, literature and art and sports art and other factors will also affect to our translation of English proverbs and understanding
英語翻譯之英語諺語的譯法
《辭海》說:諺語是“熟語的一種,流傳于民間的簡練通俗而富有意義的語句,大多反映人民生活和斗爭的經驗。《現代漢語詞典》說:諺語是”“在群眾中間流傳的固定語句,用簡單通俗的話反映出深刻的道理。”澤爾巴赫說:“諺語是凝結的群眾智慧。”英國政治家約翰·羅素說:“諺語是一個人的才智,也是許多人的才智。”
Said: “Ci Hai” proverb “Sayings of a spread in the community's concise popular and meaningful statement, most of them reflect the experience of people's lives and struggles.” Modern Chinese Dictionary “says: Proverbs are spread among the massesfixed statement to reflect the profound truth, with a simple and popular.”Zell Bach said:“ the proverb is a condensation of the wisdom of the masses.”British statesman John Russell said:“ Proverbs are the daughters of a person's intelligence, the talents of many people.”
英語(論壇)的maxim意為:格言、箴言;諺語;原理、主義;行為準則等。proverb意為:諺語、古話;俗語、箴言等。quotation意為語錄、名言、諺語。學好諺語,對于英語的提高非常有幫助,一些諺語如果能夠做到信手拈來,會讓你的文采增色不少。比較諺語的中文和英文,也會讓你體會到不同文化之間很多道理都是相同的。有的智慧是如此的相似,簡直如出一轍。不得不感慨人類之偉大。希望大家真正學好諺語,并提高自己的英語水平。
English(Forum)maxim means: maxims, proverbs;proverb;principle, doctrine;Code of Conduct.The proverb means: proverbs, an old saying;saying, Proverbs.quotation word for quotations, sayings, and proverbs.Learn proverbs, very helpful for the improvement of English proverbs do come in handy, make your literary talent considerably.Compare proverbs in Chinese and English, but also make you feel a lot of sense between the different cultures are the same.Some wisdom is so similar, almost identical.But feeling the greatness of mankind.I hope we truly learn proverbs, and to improve their English language proficiency.1、Rome was not built in a day
羅馬不是一天建成的。
2、Dripping water wears away stone.水滴石穿
3、Where there’s a will, there’s a way.有志者事竟成。
4、A good beginning is half done.好的開始是成功的一半。
5、Actions speak louder than words.事實勝于雄辯。
6、A fall into a pit, a gain in your wit.吃一塹,長一智。
7、A hedge between keeps friendship green.君子之交淡如水。
8、A good book is the best of friend, the same today and forever.好書正如良友,會讓你受益終生。
9、A good conscience is a soft pillow.不做虧心事,不怕鬼敲門。
10、Let bygones be bygones.既往不咎。
11、Fear always springs from ignorance.恐懼源于無知。
12、He who risks nothing gains nothing.收獲與風險并存。
13、Necessity is the mother of invention.需求是發明的動力。
14、There is no general rule without some exception.任何規則均有例外。
不善始者不善終。2.A bad thing never dies.遺臭萬年。
4.A bird in the hand is worth than two in the bush.一鳥在手勝過雙鳥在林。
5.A boaster and a liar are cousins-german.吹牛與說謊本是同宗。
6.A bully is always a coward.色厲內荏。
7.A burden of one's choice is not felt.愛挑的擔子不嫌重。
8.A candle lights others and consumes itself.蠟燭照亮別人,卻毀滅了自己。9.A cat has 9 lives.貓有九條命。
10.A cat may look at a king.人人平等。
11.A close mouth catches no flies.病從口入。
12.A constant guest is never welcome.常客令人厭。13.Actions speak louder than words.事實勝于雄辯。14.Adversity leads to prosperity.窮則思變。
15.Adversity makes a man wise, not rich.逆境出人才。
16.A fair death honors the whole life.死得其所,流芳百世。17.A faithful friend is hard to find.知音難覓。
18.A fall into a pit, a gain in your wit.吃一塹,長一智。
19.A fox may grow gray, but never good.江山易改,本性難移。20.A friend in need is a friend indeed.患難見真情。
21.A friend is easier lost than found.得朋友難,失朋友易。
22.A friend is never known till a man has need.需要之時方知友。23.A friend without faults will never be found.沒有十全十美的朋友。
24.“After you” is good manners.“您先請”是禮貌。
25.A good beginning is half done.良好的開端是成功的一半。26.A good beginning is half done.善始者善終。
27.A good book is a good friend.好書如摯友。
28.A good book is the best of friends, the same today and forever.一本好書,相伴一生。
29.A good conscience is a soft pillow.不做虧心事,不怕鬼叫門。30.A good fame is better than a good face.美名勝過美貌。
31.A good husband makes a good wife.夫善則妻賢。
32.A good medicine tastes bitter.良藥苦口。
33.A good wife health is a man's best wealth.妻賢身體好是男人最大的財富。34.A great talker is a great liar.說大話者多謊言。
35.A hedge between keeps friendship green.君子之交淡如水。
第二篇:英語諺語翻譯初探
英語諺語翻譯初探
英語諺語翻譯初探
一 引言
德國學者賽勒爾在《德國諺語(proverb)學》中認為“諺語(proverb)是在民間流傳的、具有誨人傾向和高雅形式的獨立語句。”作為英國人民長期的生產和生活經驗教訓的總結,英語(English)諺語(proverb)早已成為英語(English)語言文化的一個重要組成部分。這些諺語(proverb),有的寓意深刻、充滿智慧;有的短小精悍、生動活潑;有的瑯瑯上口、易誦易記。的確,英語(English)諺語(proverb)具有深刻的哲理、簡潔的用詞、和諧的語調及鮮明的形象等諸多特征,充滿思想智慧和語言藝術的光彩,具有深厚的文化積淀。翻譯是科學,因為它涉及思維和語言,反映了存在與認識、主體與客體的關系;翻譯是藝術,因為它是譯者對原文進行再創造的過程;翻譯是技能,因為譯文的信息需用譯語以恰當的方式再現(陳宏薇,1998)。對英語(English)諺語(proverb)比喻結構的研究和翻譯恰恰是翻譯的科學性、藝術性和技能性的結合與體現。
英語(English)和漢語(Chinese)中存在大量的諺語(proverb)。諺語(proverb)一般是民間流傳于口頭的語言,一般短小 精悍,是人們生活經驗,生活智慧的結晶。寓意深刻,生動活潑,朗朗上口,是語言中的精華,是歷史文化的積淀。在翻譯英語(English)諺語(proverb)的時候要表達出英語(English)諺語(proverb)的修辭,意思以及韻律,實為不易。
二 實證研究
廣義地說,英語(English)的比喻結構包括明喻、暗喻、換喻、換喻和擬人等。本文從比喻這一修辭格的角度,再結合翻譯理論從五個方面來研究英語(English)諺語(proverb)諸多特點。
1、明喻(Simile),就是把本體(tenor)和喻體(vehicle)通過比喻詞(like , as , than , and , the same 等)聯系起來。亦即把甲事物直接比作乙事物,以便使事物的形象更加生動、逼真說理更加透徹,更加具有說服力。
一般說來,英語(English)諺語(proverb)的明喻結構最好的翻譯方法是直譯(wordword translation),即在不違背譯文語言規范以及不引起錯誤的聯想的條件下,在譯文中保留英語(English)諺語(proverb)原有的色彩與形象。這是英語(English)諺語(proverb)漢譯的最常用方法。一般用“如同,就象”或直接用“是”之類的漢語(Chinese)句式翻譯。例如:
A man of words and not of deeds is like a garden full ofweeds.只說不做的人,猶如光長野草的花園。
Living without an aim is like sailing without a compass.無目標的生活,就象無羅盤的航行。
An honest man’s word is as good as his bond.誠實人的諾言,如同他立下的契約一樣可靠。
A home without love is no more than a body without asoul.沒有愛的家庭就象一個沒有靈魂的軀體。
Truth and rose have thorns about them.真理象玫瑰那樣多刺。
值得注意的是,有些英語(English)諺語(proverb)的明喻結構既可直譯, 又可意譯(free translation),即在不可能或沒必要保留原有表達形式時,擺脫字面意義或形式的方法。這些諺語(proverb)譯成漢語(Chinese)時可用漢語(Chinese)的并列結構表示。例如:
Lovers live by love as larks live by leeks.云雀靠韭蔥生活,情侶靠愛情生活。
Old friends and old wine are best.陳酒味醇,老友情深。
A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches.寧要美名,不要巨富。
另外,有些英語(English)諺語(proverb)的明喻結構在翻譯時還可以套用漢語(Chinese)諺語(proverb)。盡管英漢兩種語言文化有很大差異,但人們對有些事物的理解和看法往往有相同、甚至是不謀而合的,因此,英漢兩種語言有著大致相同的比喻和形象,表達的意義幾乎相同。如果直譯,用“猶如,就象”之類的漢語(Chinese)句式,反而顯得羅嗦。再者,受“中庸”哲學思想的影響,中國人的美學觀念中特別強調平衡美,除了極為頻繁地使用對仗這一修辭格,還大量使用四字詞組。例如:
Too swift arrives as tardy as too slow.欲速則不達。
A word and a stone let go cannot be recalled.一言既出,駟馬難追。
A miss is as good as a mile.差之毫厘,失之千里。
The water that bears the boat is the same that swallows itup.水能載舟,亦能覆舟。、暗喻(Metaphor),也叫隱喻,是一種含蓄的比較。它與明喻稍有不同,就是說本體與喻體無需比喻詞而直接聯系起來,即把本體直接說成喻體。
通常,英語(English)諺語(proverb)的暗喻結構最好的翻譯方法是直譯,用“如同,就象”或直接用“是”之類的漢語(Chinese)句式翻譯。例如:
Zeal without knowledge is fire without light.沒有知識的熱心,如同沒有光的火。
Deeds are fruits , words are leaves.行動是果實,言語是葉子。
Life is not a bed of roses.生活并非玫瑰花床。(人生并非一帆風順。)
All that glitters is not gold.所有閃閃發光的未必都是黃金。
Speech silver , silence is golden.雄辯是銀,沉默是金。
Plain dealing is a jewel.光明磊落是瑰寶。
Time is money.時間就是金錢。(一寸光陰一寸金。)
暗喻的使用,使得英語(English)諺語(proverb)具體生動,形象鮮明;其論理恰到好處,論事明白易懂,起到了警醒人、教育人的功效。有趣的是,前輩在翻譯Time is money 時,不主張套用“一寸光陰一寸金”。理由是諺語(proverb)Time is money.“ ??宣揚功利主義,帶有資產階級的銅臭味”(曾自立,1983)。而今天,人們不再持此態度了,足見英語(English)諺語(proverb)翻譯時的語用意義的變遷,地方文化色彩轉變。
3、換喻(Metonymy)
換喻指某一事物改由屬性或與之有密切關系的事物來表示。也叫轉喻,即對某一事物不直呼其名,而用另一與之有密切關聯的事物來代替它。也有的書本稱“換喻”為“借代”。換喻的一個重要特征是其聯想意義。
這類諺語(proverb)翻譯時既可直譯,又可意譯,還可以套用漢語(Chinese)諺語(proverb),但要加注或加以解釋,否則譯語的讀者因為語言文化的巨大差異,難以理解,無法產生聯想。例如:
Caesar’s wife must be above suspicious.身為愷撒妻,務必無可疑。(愷撒是古羅馬著名將軍,其妻與某一案件有牽連,遭其遺棄,以證明自己與犯罪無關。
Caesar’s wife 被用來比喻a person who has close relationshipwith a great man 與偉人關系很近人。)
Who keeps company with the wolf , will learn to howl.跟狼在一起,就會學會狼叫。(這里的wolf 狼在英語(English)中代指an evil person 壞人)。
No cross , no crown.不經苦難,哪來勝利?(cross 在基督教里代表十字架,也代表耶酥基督, 《圣經》中記載耶酥基督力經磨難,釘死在十字架上。crown 在英語(English)里代表王冠,是勝利的象征。)
If a donkey brag at you , don’t brag at him.別和蠢人一般見識。(這里的donkey 驢子在英語(English)中暗含a foolish person 愚蠢的人之意,因此,一提到donkey 就會使人聯想到fool 蠢人。該諺語(proverb)就是借用donkey 來代指fool。)
Homer sometimes nods.智者千慮,必有一失。(我們知道,Homer 荷馬是古希臘著名詩人,也是wise man 智者的代名詞,這里借用Homer 來代指wise man ,生動地說明了“人有失錯,馬有失蹄”這一道理。)
Rome was not built in a day.冰凍三尺,非一日之寒。(該諺語(proverb)也經常直譯為“羅馬不是一天建成的”, 其中Rome 代指宏偉事業、偉大成就。這句諺語(proverb)教導我們:要成就大業,既需要時間,又需要有鍥而不舍的精神。)、代喻(Synecdoche)又稱舉偶,它是以部分代替全部或全體代替部分的一種修辭手法。
這類諺語(proverb)翻譯時,往往采用意譯的方法。例如:
Many hands make light work.人多好辦事。
Many hands make quick work.人多辦事快。
Two heads are better than one.二人智慧勝一人。
Great minds think alike.英雄所見略同。
這些在英語(English)中表示人體某一部分的單詞:hands 手,heads頭,和minds 大腦,都被用來代替people 人,就是用部分來代替全部。翻譯的時候一定要注意譯語(target language)和原語(source language)使用的語言的不同之處,采用漢語(Chinese)常用的表達方式,以便翻譯得恰如其分,為漢語(Chinese)讀者所理解和接受。5、擬人(Personification)
實際上,擬人也是一種比喻,即把無生命的事物或抽象概念看成有生命的東西來加以談論。在翻譯時一般可以套用漢語(Chinese)諺語(proverb),沒有合適的同義習語套用時,則采取直譯或意譯的方法。例如:
Money talks.(有錢能使鬼推磨);
Money is a good servant but a bad master.(要做金錢的主人,不要做金錢的奴隸);
The pot calls the kettle black.(五十步笑百步)。
這些諺語(proverb)中無生命的東西money ,pot 都被人格化了。
又如:
Failure is the mother of success.(失敗乃成功之母);
Industry is the father of success.(勤勉乃成功之父);
Necessity is the mother of invention.(需要是發明之母);
Truth is the daughter of time.(真理是時間的女兒),這些諺語(proverb)中的抽象概念failure , industry , necessity , truth與success , invention , time 之間被以親屬關系(mother , father , daughter)聯系起來。運用擬人這一修辭手法,英語(English)諺語(proverb)中的抽象事物就具有人的五官、四肢的功能,會說會笑、能跑能跳,產生了生動有趣的具體形象。譯語同樣具有原語形象和色彩,既注意了語言的藝術性,有兼顧了其民族性。
結 語
奈達(E.A.Nida ,1993)說過:“就真正成功的翻譯而言,譯者的雙文化(Biculture)功底甚至比雙語(bilingualism)功底更重要,因為詞語只有在其起作用的文化語境中才富有意義”。作為文化載體的語言,必定有著豐富的文化深蘊。翻譯的實踐過程,是對原語文字的深刻剖析, 對原語文化的傳達。英語(English)諺語(proverb)的翻譯就更難了,不但要求譯者忠實地表達原文的思想內容,還要求譯者保持原文的比喻形象,修辭效果,同時譯文語言要有諺語(proverb)的味道。的確,英語(English)諺語(proverb)是英國人民在特定的歷史、地理環境、風俗習慣、宗教信仰、經濟、文化和社會生活中產生的,具有鮮明的民族性、思想性和藝術性。而翻譯又是跨語言,跨文化、跨社會的交際活動,既具有科學性,又具有藝術性。我們可以把二者完美地結合起來,運用到英語(English)諺語(proverb)的比喻結構的翻譯中去,既能讓中國人民了解英漢兩種語言和文化的差異,又能豐富漢語(Chinese)語言文化,促進兩種文化的交流和繁榮。同時,對英語(English)諺語(proverb)的學習和掌握,可以提高我們的英語(English)表達能力,加強個人的修養,提高自己的情操。
英語(English)諺語(proverb)有很多在漢語(Chinese)中可以找到對應的諺語(proverb),具有相似的意思,在翻譯中有時可以替換。但是在直接替換時一定注意語境,因為諺語(proverb)背后蘊含了很深的文化因素,再加上語境因素的干擾,諺語(proverb)的引申義可能稍有差別,所以翻譯中不能統統照搬對應的諺語(proverb),有的時候只能解釋出來英語(English)諺語(proverb)的意思。
第三篇:諺語翻譯技巧
英漢諺語的區別與翻譯原則
諺語是通俗簡練、生動活潑的韻語或短句,它經常以口語的形式在人民中間廣泛地沿用和流傳,是人民群眾表現實際生活經驗或感受的一種“現成話”。本文主要介紹英漢諺語英漢諺語的特點與區別,并對翻譯過程中應掌握的基本技巧作了大致概括。
一、英漢諺語的特征
(一)用詞精煉、句式整齊
經過長期的實踐,諺語的用詞十分講究,單句間接凝練、言簡意賅,雙句大多采用對仗,結構整齊、對稱。
漢諺:
1、滴水穿石
Constant dropping wears the stone
2、路遙知馬力,日久見人心。
As distance tests a horse's strength.sotime reveals a person's heart.英諺:
1、Out of sight,out of mind.眼不見,心不煩。
2、Like father,like son,有其父,必有其子。
(二)音韻和諧、易于上口
諺語經過人們長期的使用流傳,具有很強的口語化特點,單句講究韻律,雙句講究對仗,因此說起來朗朗上口,聽起來悅耳動聽。
漢諺:
1、嘴上無毛,說話不牢。
Downy lips make thoughtless slips.2、失之東隅,收之桑隅。
What one loses on the swings one gets back on theroundabouts.英諺:
1、Aeeidents will happen in the best-regu-lated families.家規再嚴,丑事難免。
2、Empty vessels make the most noise.滴瓶不響,半瓶叮當。
(三)比喻生動,寓意深刻
諺語來源于生活又反映生活,包含著許多生動形象的比喻,往往蘊含著深刻的人生哲理。漢諺:
1、留得青山在,不怕沒柴燒。
As long as green hills remains,there'll never be a shortage of firewood,2、寧為雞頭,毋為牛后。
Better bethe head 0fadogthanthetail of alion.英諺:
1、Great minds think alike.英雄所見略同。
2、A contented mind is a perpetual feast.知足者常樂。
二、英漢諺語中所反映的文化差異
英漢諺語所反映的文化差異主要表現在以下幾個方面:
(一)、起源差異
首先,英漢諺語都受到宗教思想的 影響,英諺受基督教的影響,反映了基督教的倫理道德和行為規范,如:No respecter of persons.(一視同仁);而漢諺則受到“儒”、“釋”、“道”三教的影響,如:“養兒防老,積谷防饑”是儒家的思想;
(二)、地理環境的差異
諺語的產生與人們的生活密切相關。英國是一個四面環海的島國,因此英國歷史上航海業曾一度領先于世界,這對英諺的形成有很大的影響。英語中就有許多與航海有關的諺語,如:to take the wind out of one’s sail(先發制人,搶占上風),to go with the stream/tide(隨波逐流、順應時勢)。而 中國 是一個內陸國家,千百年來以農業為主,人與土地有著不可分割的聯系。因此漢語中就有許多與河流、土地和農業有關的諺語如:一帆風順、過河拆橋、隔岸觀火、拔苗助長、五谷豐登、瓜熟蒂落、春華秋實、根深蒂固、滄海桑田等。[7]
(三)、習俗差異
英漢習俗差異是英漢文化差異的一個重要方面,最典型的莫過于在對狗的態度上。狗在漢語中是一種卑微的動物。漢語中與狗有關的詞語大都含有貶意:狐朋狗黨、狗急跳墻、狼心狗肺、狗腿子等。而在西方英語國家,狗被認為是人類最忠誠的朋友,所以西方人不吃狗肉。英語中有關狗的諺語除了一部分因受其他語言的影響而含有貶義外,大部分都有褒義。如:Every dog has his day.(人皆有出頭日);Love me, love my dog.(愛屋及烏)等。
(四)、三、英漢諺語的翻譯方法
由于具有鮮明的民族性,同一內容的諺語,由于各民族的生活環境和生活習慣不同,有不同的說法,因此諺語的翻譯需靈活處理。一般來說,諺語的翻譯有以下幾種方法。
(一)同義諺語借用法
同義諺語借用法就是運用相同意思的諺語相互翻譯的方法。雖然英語與漢語在語言習慣、民族特色、地方風情等方面有著極大的差別。但是在某些諺語無論內容、形式都有相似之處,其中運用的對仗、比喻等修辭手法也大致相同,且表達的意義也相同。對這些諺語采用同義諺語借用法,一方面可使譯文更加通順,另一方面更容易為譯文讀者理解和接受。漢諺:
1、一次被火燒,二次避火苗。
A burnt child dreads the fire.2、失敗是成功之母。
Failure is the mother of Success.英諺:
1、Like begets like.龍生龍,鳳生鳳。
2、Wall have ears.隔墻有耳。
(二)直譯法
采取直譯法翻譯諺語,指在翻譯時盡量保持源語諺語的語言形式,包括用詞、句子結構、比喻手段等,把原來的內容、形式、精神都輸入到譯文中,保留形象,努力減少翻譯中的損失。張培基在《習語漢譯英研究》中指出直譯法的重要性,“由于一國語言中的習語最能集中反映該國的民族文化、傳統等各種特點,民族色彩很濃,習語的直譯就有了它的特殊重要性。”
漢諺:
1、明槍易躲,暗箭難防。
It is easy to dodge a spear in the open.but hard to guard against an arrow shot from hiding.2、城門失火,殃及池魚。
Afire on the city hall brings disaster to the fish in the moat.英諺:
1、Forbidden fruit is sweet.禁果分外甜。
2、Half a loaf is better than no bread.有半塊面包總比沒有好。
(三)意譯法
由于語言結構和文化背景的緣故,有一部分諺語無法進行直譯。這部分諺語一般沒有很強的比喻,或者根本沒有比喻,且這類諺語的特點是寓意較深且隱含于較淺顯的字面下,帶有濃厚民族色彩且多來源于歷史典故,我們就沒有必要去追求原文的形式了,而應選用意譯法表達出來。意譯主要是指在翻譯時抓住內容和喻義這一重要方面,犧牲形象,結合上下文靈活地傳達原意,幫助譯文讀者更好地理解原文。
漢諺:
1、塞翁失馬,安知非福?A loss may turn out to be a gain.由于譯文讀者不了解該諺語的背景,無法理解它的直譯“When the old man on the frontier lost his mare.who could have suggested it was a blessing in disguise?”
2、天有不測風云。
Something unexpected may happen any time.“天有不測風云”,若把它的字面意義和形象意義毫無保留地譯成英語。會使英文讀者不知所云,因為漢語中“風云”的文化含義一般的西方人很難理解,若把它的隱含意義譯出,就一目了然了。
類似的,在英語當中也有很多只宜意譯的諺語,如:When Greek meets Greek.then comes the tug of war.兩雄相爭,其斗必烈。(不宜直譯成“希臘人遇上希臘人。定有一場好斗。”)
(四)直譯和意譯兼用
由于漢英兩個民族在文化傳承、語言結構、表達習慣等方面存在諸多差異,在許多情況下,單獨使用直譯或意譯不能達到目的,因此要將兩種方法結合起來。采用直譯保留原文比喻形象,兼用意譯作適當補充,不給讀者造成錯誤聯想。
對一些喻在言外的漢語諺語可以采用這種翻譯方法,例如:一個碗不響,兩個碗丁當。One bowl is quiet,tWO bowls make a row.(譯文中的前半句采用直譯法,后半句中的“丁當”意譯為吵架,不僅彌補了直譯的不足,將含義譯出,而且收到了畫龍點睛的效果。)同樣的,司馬昭之心,路人皆知。可以翻譯為:Sima Zhao's intent is known to all.the villain's desire is obvious.總之,在翻譯過程中對諺語的處理一定要謹慎而又靈活,不可機械地死譯硬譯,更不可望文生義。而應盡可能全面地考慮涉及的各種因素,充分考慮到諺語的語言特點和文化背景,根據具體的情況仔細斟酌,運用合適的翻譯方法,力求做到形式與內容兼顧,才能將諺語所表達的信息成功地移植到目的語中去。參考 文獻 :
[3]武占坤、馬國凡.諺語[M].第二版.內蒙古:內蒙古人民出版社,1997年.p.3。[4]方夢之.譯學辭典[M].上海:上海外語 教育 出版社,2004年.p.186。
[6]周淑萍.英漢諺語淵源比較 分析 [J].南平師專學報,2003年,第22卷:p.92。
[7]陳麗英.英漢習語的語用意義對比及翻譯[J].龍巖師專學報,2003年,第21卷:p.107。[1]張寧.英漢習語的文化差異與翻譯[J].中國翻譯,1999年,第3期:p.23。
[11]陳雯.英語習語文化內涵探微[J].廣西教育學院學報,2003年,第5期:p.45。[15]梁茂成.英漢諺語的理解與翻譯[J].中國翻譯,1995年,第6期:p.36。
[16]邱凱端.論英漢習語翻譯的異同[J].漳州師范學院學報,2003年,第1期:p.99。[19]包惠南.文化語境與語言翻譯[M].北京:中國對外翻譯出版公司,2001年.p.165。
第四篇:英語諺語俗語翻譯
Part One ? I had only recently seen John in a restaurant.The news of his death came as a bolt from the blue ? She found the keys she had lost last month, which was like a bolt from the blue A bolt from the blue ? Meaning:A complete surprise, like a bolt of lightning from a blue sky.? Origin:This has the feel of a Shakespearian or Biblical phrase, but it isn't as old as it sounds.There are several forms of it: 'out of the blue', 'a bolt out of the blue', etc.The earliest citation is Thomas Carlyle, in The French Revolution, 1837: “Arrestment, sudden really as a bolt out of the Blue, has hit strange victims.” ? It is unpleasant to hear him speak on national topics, for he is a bird of ill omen.? 叫他談論國事是不愉快的,因為他常出不吉之言。
a bird of ill omen ? 中國有句老話:“夜貓子進宅,無事不來”,可見貓頭鷹是種不吉利的象征。它往往和黑暗、神秘甚至死亡聯系起來。然而在日本,貓頭鷹卻是吉利和幸福的代表。? 奧運會的吉祥物
? 雕像、掛鐘、水壺、牙簽盒,甚至還有女士佩戴的胸針
? They were only crying crocodile tears at the old man's funeral because nobody had really liked him.? 在老人的葬禮上,他們在假裝慈悲,因為他們之中沒有誰喜歡過他。
? We need not hope for lower taxes in the future ─ that would be crying for the moon.? 我們不應抱任何希望將來會降低稅收,這是根本不可能的事。
“不可能”,“沒門”的譯法 ? No way/There is no way!? Impossible!? Out of the question/That's out of the question!? Not a chance!? Hopeless!? Pigs might fly!? The sun might rise in the west!? Never/Never ever ever!? You are crying for the moon!Street Arabs are produced by slums and not by original sin.? 流浪兒是貧民窟的產物,而不是原始罪惡的產物。
John is ashamed of his humble background.That is his Achilles' heel.? 約翰因出身卑賤而自慚形穢,這是他的致命弱點。
? Every atom of your flesh is as dear to me as my own;in pain and sickness it would still be dear.? 在我看來,你身上的每一個細胞都像我自己的細胞一樣親,即使你痛苦你有病,也還是一樣親。? I'll play old Gooseberry with the office, and make you glad to buy me out at a good high figure.? 我要在工作上故意搗蛋,使你不得不付出高價收買我。? play gooseberry(British humorous)? to be with two people who are having a romantic relationship and who would prefer to be alone.? “Best be off to bed, my boy ─ ho, ho!” “No, no.We know a trick worth two of that.We won’t go home till morning, till day light does appear!”
? “孩子,最好上床睡吧——嗬,嗬!”“不,不,你不必跟我們玩那一套。不到明天,不到天大亮我們不歸家。? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?
? ? ? ? know a trick worth two of that: 有更好的辦法
What you suggest is very good.But listen to me.I know a trick worth two of that.When the well's dry, we know the worth of water.We'll never know the worth of water till the well go dry.We never know the worth of water till the well is dry.She gave her heart to one who could not know its worth.No one know the worth of woman's love till he sue for alienation.You know a trick or two after twenty years in business.Your class made him monitor, which amounts to setting the fox to keep the geese.你們班推選他當班長,這等于是引狼人室 set a fox to keep one's geese: 引狼人室
Yes, I went there the night before last, but she was quite on the high ropes about something, and was so grand and mysterious that I couldn’t make anything of her.不錯,前天晚上我到那兒去過,也不知道她為何異常得意洋洋,又威風 又神秘,弄得我莫名其妙 be on the high ropes:興高采烈, 得意 The Squire broke in, “Don’t think that I’ll have any humble pie eaten to that fellow Bellew!“ 鄉紳插嘴道:“別以為我會向貝魯這種人低聲下氣。”
Eat humble pie(British, American & Australian)also eat crow(American):Act submissively and apologetically, especially in admitting an error.忍氣吞生,賠禮道歉 我們原打算在媽媽生日那天給她意外驚喜,可他卻泄露了秘密。
We had planned to give Mum a pleasant surprise on her birthday, but let the cat out of the bag To look like the cat that ate the canary形容一個人顯得非常滿足的樣子。rain cats and dogs傾盆大雨
All cats are(或look)black(或gray)in the dark./We are in the same boat.五十步笑百步或烏鴉笑豬黑。
西方人也喜歡貓,并將貓養為寵物。但是黑貓卻讓西方人心生恐懼,尤其是英國人,他們將黑貓與女巫聯系在上起。如果是漆黑的星期五晚上碰上一只黑貓,便預示著此人會遭厄運。在英國古代的傳說中,人們認為妖魔常變成黑色的動物,尤其是黑貓,還有人說黑貓就是巫婆變的。黑貓有九命,巫婆有變九次的魔法。殺死一只黑貓,她還可以再變八次。所以英語的貓還含有”心地惡毒的女人,愛說人壞話的女人“等意思。
? She is a cat(她是個包藏禍心的女人)
? Mrs Smith is a perfect cat(史密斯太太是個地地道道的長舌婦)
? The man and his wife live a cat and dog life, and both are miserable(他們夫妻倆經常吵架,兩人都感到痛苦)? It‘s difficult to get a man to bell the cat(敢于在危險中挺身而出的人不容易找到)? A cat has nine lives(貓有九命/自有天相)
? Cats hide their claws(貓總是藏起自己的爪子/知人知面不知心)
? All cats are grey in the dark(黑暗處的貓都是灰色的/人未出名時看起來都差不多)? A gloved cat catches no mice(戴手套的貓抓不到老鼠/不愿吃苦的人成不了大事業)? The cat shuts its eyes when stealing cream(掩耳盜鈴,自欺欺人)? There‘s more ways than one to kill a cat(有的是辦法)? like a cat on hot bricks(焦躁不安,如熱鍋上的螞蟻)
? 他決定不了究竟是上大學還是去找工作,可事實上他只能干一件,兩者不能兼得。
? He can’t make up his mind whether to go to college or get a job.You can't eat your cake and have it, too.? To have one’s cake and eat it too : ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?
? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?(eat one’s cake and have it too or simply have one’s cake and eat it)”you can't have it both ways“ and ”you can't have the best of both worlds.“ 如果你在數學課堂上準備英語考試,那就好比是挖肉補瘡
It is just like robbing Peter to pay Paul if you try to prepare for the English exam during a maths class rob Peter to pay Paul(拆東墻補西墻)Fig.to take or borrow from one in order to give or pay something owed to another For example By borrowing money to meet the debt, you are just robbing Peter to pay Paul You borrow money from me to pay the bank loan.It is like robbing Peter to pay Paul.害群之馬,無處不有。
There is a black sheep in every flock 餓了糠也甜,飽了蜜也咸。
Hungry dogs will eat dirty puddings 我剛來,真是“丈二和尚——摸不著頭腦”!你的估計怎樣?
Being new here, I'm very much in the dark myself!Let’s hear your assessment of it.那二鬼子被村子里的人打得鼻青臉腫。
The puppet soldier was beaten black and blue by the villagers 我看見火車朝他們開來,還沒來得及喊,它已經撞上了其中一人。
I saw the train coming towards them.Before I could say Jack Robinson,it had hit on one of them.He ran off before I could say Jack Robinson.
As I walked into the kitchen the cat jumped out of the window before you could say Jack Robinson.
她有一次解釋她為何嫁給比她矮小很多的人。她說:“他雖然矮一點, 但他不但仁慈而且精力充沛,工作又勤奮。所謂身小會文國家用,大漢空長做什么? ? She once explained why she married him so much shorter than her.“He may be a bit short,’’
she said,” but he's not only kind, but very energetic and hardworking.Better short and sweet than long and lax.”
short and sweet: brief and to the point;without de lay 簡短扼要;不拖延
The politician’s speech was surprisingly short and sweet;it only lasted ten minutes. The students appreciated the fact that the teacher made the exam short and sweet. 我平日和你說話,你全當耳邊風。
But let whatever I say go in one ear and out the other.How many times have I told you to get to work on time? But my words just go in one ear and out the other.So I don’t have any choice but to fire you.Whatever you say to him goes in at one ear and out at the other.The teacher's directions to the boy went in one ear and out the other.Since his mind was already made up, my arguments went in one ear and out the other.他認為這些美麗的中國畫是連城之璧。
He thinks that these beautiful traditional Chinese paintings are beyond price(rare and valuable)他是個不中用的貨,又不會種田,又不會作生意,坐吃山空,把些田地都弄得精光。
This fellow was a good-for-nothing; he could neither till the land nor trade.He just sat at home eating until he had eaten up all his property 現在國家正當多事之秋,那王公大臣只是恐怕耽處分,多一事不如少一事。Now the country is in peril, yet the nobles and high officials are only afraid of being punished, ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? and their policy is to let sleeping dogs lie.? It's better to save trouble.;the less trouble the better;avoid trouble whenever possible;don't meet trouble halfway ? If I were you, I would not tell Nellie you saw her husband having lunch with another woman.It might have been perfectly innocent, but I'd let sleeping dogs lie.? Better let sleeping dogs lie.The boss likes Peter so much, and you are just like fish in a big pond.Be smart and stay quiet until your chance comes.Practice 2 ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? Remain where you are till I return;be as still as a mouse.你呆在此處等到我回來,靜靜地不要弄出聲響。
John, a timid middle-aged mickey mouse who was afraid of crowds,people,anything.約翰,一個膽小的微不足道的中年人,他怕人多,怕同人接觸,什么都怕
If the mountain will not come to Mahomet,Mahomet must go to the mountain.(諺語〉事不將就人,人就得將就事。(他不遷就你,你就得遷就他)You needn't pay the bill.It's my turn to stand Sam.你不必付賬。這次輪到我做東。
He rose again and toured the dishevelled room.The man at the other table raised his head, ”You seem a bit on your toes.”
他又站起來在亂糟糟的房間里踱來踱去,在另一餐桌旁的那個人抬起 頭來說:“你看上去有些坐立不安。
on one's toes: stay alert and ready for action.Keep on your toes, lads, the attack is expected at any moment.It keeps your brain on its toes.A toadeater is one who eats somebody's toads.馬屁精是拍某人馬屁的人
If you do it, it means that you are setting the tortoise to catch the hare.你若做它,這意味著你在做不可能做到的事
He has an old head on young shoulders ; at one moment he is a scampish boy, and at another a resolute man.他少年老成:一會兒是個淘氣的小孩,一會兒是剛毅果斷的男子漢
He talks about nothing but money —— It's becoming a King Charles' head!他只談到了錢——錢成了他不離口的話題
當有人對我提出另一個工作時,我進退維谷,因為我仍然對我的老板懷有極大的忠心。
I was on the horns of a dilemma when I was offered another job because I still felt a great deal of loyalty to my boss.錢先生周歲時“抓周”,抓了一本書,因此得名“鐘書”。(舒展文《錢鐘書與楊絳》〉
When Qian was just one year old, he was told by his parents to choose one thing among many others, he picked up a book of all things.Thereupon his father very gladly gave him the name: Zhongshu(= book lover)諺曰:“桃李不言,下自成蹊”。此言雖小,可以喻大。
The peach and plum trees can not talk, yet a path is trodden out to them.This simple saying conveys a wealth of meaning.真是一說曹操,曹操就到!老無賴來了!杰克,你已經訂婚了,是不是?
Well, speak of the wolf(and he will appear)!Here is the old scoundrel!Is that right, you've gotten yourself engaged, Jack? 許多家長太溺愛孩子了,這樣反而害了他們。他們給孩子們太多的錢,太多的自由,這樣很容易導致少年犯罪。
A great many parents are killing their children with kindness by giving them too much money ? ? ? ? ? ? and freedom.This may lead to juvenile delinquency.Practice 3 ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? Guards knew when blue devils had seized the inmates of these cages, they couldn't eat.看守們知道,牢籠里的人憂郁沮喪時,飯就吃不下。
Being out of health, she was sorely afflicted with the blue devils.由于身體不好,她變得極為憂郁。blue coat警察 blue jacket水手 blue-blooded高貴的 blue stocking女才子 a bluemoon稀罕的事 in a bluemood情緒低落 blue baby天生蒼白的小孩 a blue blood出生高貴的人 blue talk色情言語、污言穢語 to have the blue憂傷、傷感 the blue moon千載難逢的機會
“ Where's the fire,dear boy?” he drawled,“ Do you really have to run for it?” “干嘛這么急,老弟?”他慢吞吞地說,“難道我們非跑步不可嗎?”
I can’t live this life of milk and water.I must get excited somehow — or I shall burst!我無法過這種毫無生氣的生活。我得設法興奮一下,否則我受不了!Each bit the thumb but neither dared say he bit it at the other.他倆互相瞧不起,卻又不敢公開承認。
It is much cry and little wool with him.To hear him talk you would think he was the world’s greatest artists;actually they're very mediocre.他說得好可做得差。聽他講話覺得他似乎是世界上最了不起的藝術 家,實際上乃平庸之輩也。A prophet is not without honour, save in his own country.先知在故鄉無人尊敬;本地姜不辣
The new chief justice, Sir Robert Wright was ignorant to a proverb.這位新任大法官羅伯特爵士的無知,是盡人皆知的。
Millions of people have lived near or below the breadline for almost two decades.差不多20年了,生活在貧困線以下或溫飽問題還沒有解決的人口仍有 幾百萬。John's letter doesn’t make sense ; it is neither rhyme nor reason.約翰的信寫得一點也不明白,簡直莫名其妙。
I has crossed the Rubicon,and refused to give him what he wanted.我巳采取斷然措施,拒絕給他所要的東西。
International pressure may be able to prevent the country crossing the Rubicon to authoritarian rule.It was a real feather in his cap for the new teacher when he was made head of the history department.對這位新老師來說,被任命為歷史系的系主任可是一件值得驕傲的事兒。
It was no use crying over spilt milk.No use building castles in the air.What was needed was a plan---lots of plans---serious, practical, sensible plans for the new life.覆水難收,徒悔無益。空中樓閣,也沒好處。需要的是規劃——許許多 多的規劃——為新生活而作的嚴肅、切實、明智的規劃。
She didn't expect too much of him ; they were birds of a different feather.她沒有對他指望太多;他們走不到一塊去。
I am from Missouri, you've got to show me.? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?
?
? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?
? ? ? ? ? ?
? Several art dealers got their fingers burned on old master paintings that later turned out to be fakes
? The donkey means one thing and the driver another.? 不同的人有不同的觀點;各人從自己的利益出發看問題。
? 仁者見仁,智者見智: the donkey means one thing, and the driver another./ the benevolent see benevolence and the wise see wisdom.? He had walked two miles through the pouring rain, and arrived at our house looking like something the cat's brought in.? 他在傾盆大雨中走了兩英里,到我們家時渾身沾滿泥漿,一副精疲力盡 的樣子。我要見到確實證據才相信;我是不見不信。
John can be relied on.He eats no fish and plays the game.約翰為人可靠,他既誠實又正直。
That is a tall story about the town's street.有關這城主街的說法實在令人難以置信
Listening to classical music is my cup of tea.古典音樂我最愛聽。? One’s cup of tea You could always get him to go for a walk.Hiking was just his cup of tea.Chemistry, not art, is my cup of tea.My uncle sent me a novel written by Balzac.That’s just my cup of tea.This is a fine kettle of fish!I forgot my book.真糟糕,我的書忘了帶了。
There I was, stuck on a lonely road 50 miles from home, after I was stupid enough to lock myself out of my car.It was dark and not a house in sight.A fine kettle of fish, I tell you!He left a fine kettle of fish behind.We couldn't find out what our money had been spent for;we couldn’t tell which members had paid their dues, and the rent wasn't paid.What a mess!To have other fish to fry.Honey, they want me to run for Congress, but I said no.I have other fish to fryyou look like something the cat dragged in!She is head and shoulders above the rest of the class in singing.在唱歌方面,她比班上其他人強得多
head and shoulders above someone or something This wine is head and shoulders above that one.John stands head and shoulders above Bob.If he were down in the mouth, one could feel sorry for him.But he looks as pleased as Punch with himself.他要是愁眉苦臉,人們倒會可憐他,可是他卻滿開心地自得其樂呢。down in the mouth :口語,“沮喪的”,“頹喪的”,“氣餒的” be as pleased as Punch ”gloomy at the thought of what he had to face“;”gloomy predictions“;”a gloomy silence“;”the darkening mood“;”lonely and blue in a strange city“;”depressed by the loss of his job“;”a dispirited and resigned expression on her face“;”downcast after his defeat“;”feeling discouraged and downhearted“ If he were seen it was dollars to doughnuts that he would be arrested.若當時他被人瞧見,十拿九穩他會被捕。
It’s dollars to doughnuts:相差懸殊,十有八九
I will bet you dollars to doughnuts there will be no rains tomorrow.It is dollars to doughnuts that Wang is not expecting us tonight Dollars to doughts they have forgotten about their appointment with us.two doughnuts and coffee ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?
? 賊臣董卓,將欲篡位;朝中文武,無計可施。
? Here is how matters stand : the traitor Dong Zhuo is preparing to seize the throne, and our civil military officials have no means to prevent him.? 雖然他非常有才能,但他非常謙虛不擺架子,故他樹敵不多,所謂大智若愚,大巧若拙。
? He has made few enemies, even though he's very brilliant,because he’s so modest and unassuming.It is a great talent to be able to conceal one's talents.? 大智若愚,大巧若拙:
? He knows most who speaks least.? It is wisdom sometimes to seem a fool.? Greatest genius often lies concealed.? A man of great wisdom often appears slow-witted [stupid].? Men of great wisdom often appear slow-witted.? Cats hide their paws.? Still waters run deep.? 假使你希望約翰工作愉快,你最好給他加薪;否則他將辭職;所謂三天不吃飯,什么事都敢干
? You should give John a raise in salary if you expect him to be happy at his work;otherwise, he might quit.A hungry man is an angry man.? “不到黃河心不死,哈哈哈!”李秘書突然大聲笑了。
? “ Won't quit until we drive them into the sea — Ha, Ha, Ha!” Commissioner Li burst into hearty laughter.? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? Until all is over ambition never dies.;
not to stop until one reaches the Huanghe River not stop until one reaches one's goal 你別狗仗人勢欺侮人,爭權奪利,勾心斗角的事我不干。
You don’t bully others on the strength of your boss;I won't scramble for power and profit and intrigue against others.狗仗人勢:be a bully with the backing of a powerful person 爭權奪利:to scramble for power and wealth 勾心斗角:intrigue against each other 兩雄相遇,必有一搏。
It will certainly be an exciting match when Greek meets Greek.他們的后臺總是靠不住的,一旦樹倒猢猻散,全局就改觀了。
Their wire-pulling bosses are not reliable ; once the tree falls, the monkeys on it will flee helter-skelter, and the whole situation will change.他們說連他放個屁都是香的。
They say a Russian fart is fragrant 這才是“知人知面不知心”呢。那里有這樣禽獸的人。
You can know a man’s face but not his heart.I’ll show the beast!We may know a man's exterior but not his heart.It is impossible to judge a man's heart from his face.One may know a person for a long time without understanding his true nature.You know a man or you recognize him when you see him, but you don't know what he is at heart.You may know a person's face, but not his heart.親身經歷,勝過旁人教誨。
Wit bought is better than wit taught.千里之堤,潰于蟻穴。
Slight negligence may lead to great disaster.A small leak will sink a great ship.(小漏水也會沉大船)不嘗黃連苦,哪知蜜糖甜。不要總以為天下烏鴉一般黑。
Who has never tasted bitter, knows not what is sweet.But don‘t always be thinking “in every country dogs bite.Evil people are samely bad all over the world.in every country dogs biteDogs bite in every country 人人負責,無人負責。艘公多了會翻船。
Everybody's business is nobody's business.Too many cooks may spoil the soup 有事只管來找我。
Come to see me whenever you need any help.不要以為它太貴了。(快來買呀,)過了這個村就沒這個店了。Please don't think it is too much.So it is now or never.子曰:“無欲速,無見小利。欲速則不達,見小 利則大事不成。”
Confucius said, “Don't wish for speed; don't see small advantages.If you wish for speed, you won't succeed ; if you see small advantages, great things will not be accomplished.” Haste makes waste fool's haste is no speed More haste, less speed.The more haste, the less speed.1.The hotels were all full,so we had to pig it in an old hut for the night.旅社均已客滿,我們不得不擠在一個又臟又舊的棚屋里過夜。2.Let sleeping dogs lie.Why, these people are kittle cattle to shoe.別惹是生非。哎,這些人都是難對付的人 Be kittle cattle to shoe: 難以對付的人
3.The bandits seemed to have got away with no trouble at all, the police had jam on their faces this time.匪徒們似乎很順利地逃脫了,警察部門這次可丟臉了。
If you say that someone has jam on their face, they appear to be caught, embarrassed or found guilty.lie on one's face 臉朝下躺下...Just put your John Henry on that Check and then take it to the bank.請你在支票上簽個名,然后把它拿到銀行去。
4.Money makes the mare go.You can secure your ends with one hundred pounds.有錢能使鬼推磨,用100英鎊你就能達到目的。
Secure one?s position:穩住陣腳
5.The accused knew that he had to bite the bullet until he was proved innocent.被告知道在證明他是無辜的以前,他只得咬緊牙關忍受。bite the bullet:原意:咬住子彈
引伸義:咬緊牙關挺過去
6.When he entered our college four years ago,he was as poor as Job, but now he has become a millionaire.當他4年前進我們學院時,他窮得家徒四壁,可現在成了百萬富翁。
As poor as Job:一貧如洗,家徒四壁。
7.Two may keep counsel when the third's away.沒有不泄露的秘密;沒有不透風的墻(有意無意的被流傳開去,也有意無意的傷了人)。
8.He is a real Jekyll and Hyde:at home he's kind and loving,but in business he's completely without principles.他是個真的具有雙重人格的人;在家和藹可親,可在生意場上,他卻完全不講道義。
9.That was not asking much, and yet.…he could not help thinking it was like asking for the moon.這樣要求本來并不過分,可是……他們卻不由得想,這簡直是異想天開。
Ask for the moon: to want something that you cannot reach or have;to try for the impossible,異想天開
10.He has good reason to believe in you, for you are as kind a man as the sun shines on.他完全有理由相信你,因為你是世上少有的好心人(或打起燈籠也找不到的好心人)。11.Sir, I am only just getting well of a fever, and I am as weak as water.先生,我髙燒才好,身體非常虛弱。As weak as water:渾身沒勁兒
to be in hot water/in deep water:陷入困境 water over the dam:木已成舟,既成事實
as weak as water:身體非常虛弱;意志薄弱;性格懦弱 fish in troubled/muddy waters:混水摸魚;趁火打劫 in rough / troubled water:災難深重 spend like water:揮霍無度
12.He was a man not yet forty years of age,with still much of the salt of youth about him.他不到40歲,仍有著不少青年人的朝氣。the salt of youth:青年人的熱情
Try translating the following into English 1.袖手旁觀,守株待兔。
Standing by with folded arms and waiting for gains without pains 2.失之東隅,得之桑榆。
What you lose on the swings you get back on the roundabouts.英譯lose at sunrise and gain at sunset我覺得一些看上去很健康的女孩子施以濃妝,實在是多此一舉。
I always feel that it would simply be to gild the lily for some health-looking young girls to make up their faced so heavily.3.媽媽說我最好離開廚房,因為她不需要我幫忙。我在那兒碰這撞那,反而礙事。
Mum said that I?d best/had better leave the kitchen because she didn't need my help and I was like a bull in a china shop there.4.月滿則虧,水滿則溢。
The moon waxes only to wane, water brims only to overflow.月滿則虧,說明:月亮圓了,接著就會慢慢的變成月牙。水滿則溢,說明:盛水的容易內水滿了,再注水就會溢出來啦。比喻做什么事情到了極點都會慢慢衰退的。The Origins Jekyll and Hyde Jekyll and Hyde源于蘇格蘭作家R.L.史蒂文森1886年發表的作品《化身博士》(Doctor Jekyll and Mr.Hyde),該作品所描寫的是一個具有雙重對立人格的人:一是善良的Dr Jekyll,一是邪惡的Mr Hyde。結合起來就是一個具有雙 重對立人格的人。漢譯時,譯著“兩面派,具有善惡雙重人格的人” Sword of Damocles Sword of Damocles出自古代希臘的一則歷史故事。精通古希臘歷史、文 學的羅馬杰出作家與政論家西塞羅(106BC-43BC)在其論文《圖斯庫拉的話》 屮寫道:“公元前4世紀的西西里島上敘拉克的統治者狄奧尼修斯一世(406BC-367BC)有個親信的名字叫達摩克里斯,他很羨慕帝王的柰華生活,常說: “君王是人世間最幸福的人。”狄奧尼修斯為了教訓這個想得君位者,在一次宴會上,要他坐在國土的寶座上。當他猛然抬頭,只見頭頂上有一把用頭發懸著 的寶劍,隨時都有刺到頭頂的危險。他嚇得戰戰兢兢,如坐針氈,時刻提心吊 膽,惶惶不安。由于該成語用來比喻臨頭的危險或情況的危急,因此可漢譯為 “千鈞一發“,但也可譯為“達摩克里斯的寶劍” Burn one’s boats(bridges為美國人使用)源于一則歷史故事0 古羅馬朱力斯?凱撒大軍乘船越過Rubicon后就把船燒了,以此向士兵指明后 路已斷不可能后退。現借用來比喻“不留后路,下定決心干到底”。可漢譯為 “破釜沉舟”。Homer sometimes nods.此語可譯為“智者千慮,必有一失”。用來比喻 “偉人有時也會出錯”。源自古羅馬著名詩人賀拉斯(65BC4BC)寫的《詩藝》: “我認為居然可敬的荷馬也打瞌睡(Even Homer sometimes nods)o這是羞愧的 事,但在如此長久的寫作中,睡意襲來時,打一下瞌睡未嘗不可/這里同時值 得一提的是荷馬(Homer)這位曾得到馬克思極高評價的古希臘的偉大詩人,他 曾寫過兩部性界著名的史詩:《伊亞特》與《奧德賽》。這兩部史詩無論從藝術 技巧或者從歷史、地理、考古學和民俗學方面講都有很大的藝術價值,有“永久 的魅力”,是“一種規范和高不可及的范本”。Hobson's choice 此語可譯為“毫無選擇的余地。”源自英國《觀察家》雜 志H12年第509期。Hobson是6世紀英國劍橋地區驛站老板。按規定驛站都 向顧客出租馬匹,他因喜歡自己的馬匹而堅持按固定的順序輪流將馬出租。顧 客到馬廄去牽馬時,不論該馬如何即牽即走,無商量的余地。如顧客不服從, 就只得自認倒霉。Hobson毫不徇私情,非叫顧客用該馬不可,否則就別想有馬 騎。因而,老板的這種怪癖叫人不敢和他討價還價了。
1.I went on a bat in his room, and we smoked and drank till three.我到他的房間里去狂歡,我們在那里又抽煙又喝酒,一直到清晨三點。go on a bat 縱酒取樂,酗酒胡鬧 go out on a bat 酗酒胡鬧
go to bat [美國俚語]被判入獄,判刑
on one's own bat [俚語] 通過自己的努力;靠自己的力量
blind as a bat [口語]近乎全盲的;視力很差的,眼力不行的;鼠目寸光的;完全看不見東西的 like a bat out of hell [俚語] 如飛地,飛速地;不顧一切地,魯莽地,胡來地
2.Are you running with the hare and hunting with the hounds? You?re either for us or against us.Which is it? 你兩面討好嗎?你要么贊成我們,要么反對我們。究竟是哪一種態度? Hare也叫jackrabbit或jack rabbit,不打洞(burrow/warren),而是在地面坑(depression)里或窩(form)。出生帶毛(furred),眼睛睜開。Rabbit是住在洞里的,出生沒毛,不能睜眼;家養的通常住在小木屋(hutch)中。Hare比rabbit體型大,耳朵更長,有黑色斑點(marking),不群居,沒有被人類馴化(domesticated),所以可以叫?野兔?。一歲以下的hare叫leveret。一群叫drove。Rabbit可以翻譯為?家兔?,但有的也叫hare,因為長相接近,但實際上還是rabbit,如Belgian Hare.“兔”在中國人心中可謂形象復雜,有好的一面,如“形如脫兔”(比喻動作快捷);也有差的一面,如“狡兔三窟、兔子尾巴長不了”。對外國人來說,rabbit的形象可不美。a rabbit意為a person who plays a game badly(蹩腳的運動員———尤指網球運動員);在俚語中,hare指坐車不買票的人。run with the hare and hunt with the hounds
hunt是“追捕、獵殺”的意思,hound指“獵狗”,它的拼寫是h-o-u-n-d,字面意思就是“和兔子一起奔跑的同時派獵狗追趕”,既想得到兔子的信任又想獵殺兔子,也就是“兩面討好”。
這個“兩面討好”和我們漢語里講的“兩面派”(two-faced)意思可不一樣,我們來看一個例子:
They want to keep the peace and have everyone happy.For this reason they learn very quickly to run with the hares and hunt with the hounds;to side with whoever is nearest in a relentless quest to avoid rows.他們希望保持平穩并且讓大家都高興,所以很快了學會討好的方法。為了避免沖突他們就站在不斷提要求的人那邊。
大家體會出這兩個說法的不同了嗎?two-faced一般指當面一套,背地又一套的伎倆,而run with the hare and hunt with the hounds 則指人兩面討好,不得罪任何一方的做法。
3.In ancient times if a man?s eye was put out by his enemy, he might get his revenge by paying him backing his own coin.古時候某人的眼睛若被敵人挖出,他一定要挖出敵人的眼睛作為報復。這就是以其人之道還治其人之身。pay sb back in his own coin eye for eye tooth for tooth
4.He went on throwing open doors, and peeping in.Everything was in apple pie order, ready for immediate occupation.他繼續將各扇門打開朝里窺視:一切井井有條,馬上就可住進去。in apple pie order 有條不紊,井然有序
這個習語的由來尚有爭論。在美國,有人認為它產生在新大陸移民時期。那時,家庭主婦要烤蘋果派時,需將蘋果一片片切成同樣的大小,這樣烘烤出來的蘋果派才會香酥可口。所以這個習語用來形容東西擺放得整整齊齊,井然有序。
Her room is always in apple pie order.他的房間總是整整齊齊的。apple of love 愛情的蘋果
這個習語源于殖民時期的南美洲。當時在秘魯的叢林中,生長著一種叫“狼桃”的水果。這種水果色澤光亮、鮮艷,形狀和蘋果十分相似。但人們認為這種水果是一種毒果,沒人敢吃,只把它作為觀賞植物加以栽培。后來有人冒著生命危險,勇敢地品嘗并證實了它的美味。到了16世紀,英國有一位公爵游歷到了秘魯,非常喜歡這種水果,于是,他把它們帶回英國皇宮,作為珍貴的禮品獻給他心目中的愛人——當時的英國女王伊麗莎白。這種水果,實際上就是西紅柿。從那以后,西紅柿在異國他鄉的土地上得到廣泛種植,被人們稱為“愛情的蘋果”。如今,這一短語可喻指“愛情的信物”。例:Hey, don't touch that bike.It's my apple of love.嗨,別動那輛自行車。它可是我的愛情信物 as American as apple pie 典型的美國人的性格 美國人向來喜歡吃蘋果餡餅(apple pie),也就是我們常說的“蘋果派”。這是一種用烤箱制作的甜點,外面裹著一層面粉,里面包著蘋果做的餡兒。美國人喜愛吃蘋果派的嗜好始于他們剛從歐洲移居到美洲來的時候。那時每個家庭主婦都經常自己動手做蘋果派。為了說明蘋果派是美國生活方式的一個特點,人們常說:as American as apple pie。這個習語的意思是:就像蘋果派一樣具有美國特色。
例句:Japanese sushi and Vietnamese spring rolls have become as American as apple pie.日本壽司和越南春卷都已經變成像蘋果派一樣的美國食品了
5.“Why didn't the chap come? …Can't kick my heels here for ever,“ thought John.那家伙怎么沒來?我可不能老在這兒等下去了。”約翰想
kick your heels:(British)to be forced to wait for a period of time(usually in continuous tenses)Wait impatiently to be summoned.Origin:The kicking of heels alludes to the toe shuffling and foot tapping that people resort to when they are impatient at having to wait for something.It is an 18th century phrase and is first cited in a work by the appropriately named Samuel Foothe has no idea of how to even start the job.Why, my nine-year old daughter knows more about computers than he does!他說:我跟你說,Ed,這個人簡直乳臭未干,他甚至連這工作怎么著手干都不知道。嘿,我九歲女兒對電腦的了解都比他要多。
這里的wet behind the ears,相當于中文里的“乳臭未干的,” 用來形容某人幼稚無知 3.在那個國家,很多人感到60年代初的種族隔離是件棘手之事。
In that country, many people found racial segregation a hot potato in the early '60s.美國人很喜歡吃土豆,特別是剛從烤箱里拿出來的一個個熱氣騰騰的土豆。下面我們要介紹的一個俗語是hot potato。大家都知道hot的意思是熱或燙,potato就是土豆。熱的土豆固然好吃,但是它會燙你的手,你會想法馬上甩掉的。Hot potato作為俗語,它的意思就是一個爭論很激烈的問題,沒有一個人愿意為它承擔責任。例如:The question of whether to raise taxes to cut the budget deficit is a real hot potato for a lot of politicians.是否用增加稅收的方法來減少預算赤字的問題對于許多政客來說是一個棘手的問題。下面這個例子是一位律師在給另一位律師提供建議:
If I were you, I'd drop that client like a hot potato;he's always suing somebody for something, but he usually loses and he doesn't pay his lawyer's bills.要是我是你的話,我就把你那個顧客馬上甩掉。他老是為了什么事去告別人,可是他總是輸給別人,他還往往不付律師費。
英語potato一詞特別有意思。不僅因為sweet potato(甜土豆)即是“白薯(山芋)”,這樣的命名特別有趣,而且potato常可用以指人,例如small potatoes原意是“雞毛蒜皮等微不足道的東西”,但更多用以指“小人物”“微不足道的人”(類似上海方言“蘿卜頭”)。“He is a small potato.”也常被學生作為口頭禪,拿來互相取笑。
Hot potato可指“麻煩的事”、“棘手的問題”或“難對付的人”,類似中文 “燙手的山芋”,例如The subject of police brutality is a hot potato.(警察暴行的話題是一個棘手的問題。)
短語the clean potato指“最正確、最適當的事物”,也可以指“正派的人”、“規矩的好人”。而反過來,not the clean potato則意為“形跡可疑的人”。
作為一種常見的食品,potato在美國俚語里也有很多體現。比如,potato常指“頭”或“難看的臉”;potato-trap指“嘴”;potato-head則指“傻瓜”(土豆是沒有腦子的);而potato digger則指“古板守舊、不受歡迎的人”(大概是由在地里掘土豆的農民形象轉化而來的)。
上世紀90年代初出現了一個新的短語couch potato,專指“吃飽飯后成天窩在沙發上看電視的人”,非常形象。(順便提一下,英美人很少用sofa一詞,長沙發叫couch,單人沙發則叫armchair。)隨著電腦的普及,近來一個與potato有關的新短語流行開來,即mouse potato(這里的mouse不是“老鼠”,而是“鼠標”),專門指“整天坐在電腦前的電腦迷”。這一詞條已被正式收錄在2006年版的《韋氏大學詞典》(Webster Collegiate Dictionary)的100個新詞語中。筆者相信,今后還會有更多“新土豆”的出現。
4.他同意獨自完成這項工程,簡直是蛇吞象。
He bit off more than he could chew when he agreed to finish this project alone He bit off more than he could chew.他說得多,做得少。
他承諾太多他辦不到的事情。用意譯:“思想的巨人,行動的矮子!”
5.我只是告訴你,和他打交道的惟一方法就是與他面對面展開斗爭。
I simply wanted to tell you that the only way to do business with him was to beard the lion in his den.beard the lion in his den:入虎穴取子(老虎頭上捉虱, 太歲頭上動土)
6.對于詩我讀得不多。要讀的時候,我總是寧可選擇過去的佳作,而不要當代的次品。.Of poetry I don't read much and when I do I choose the dead lion in preference to the living dog.A living dog is better than a dead lion.(下賤而活著比高貴而死了的強。)將對應的兩個成分拆開并在句中重作安排,分別喻指“過去的佳作”(死獅)和“當代的次品”(活狗),形成強烈對比,表現力強。
7.現在最好不要向老板講,因為你沒有遵守限期,他正在氣頭上哪。
Better not try to talk to the boss now, He's as mad as a wet hen because you didn't meet your deadline.as mad as a wet hen:非常生氣
8.有些人在上火車的時候,不等乘客下車就一擁而入,這種行為真叫我生氣。
It gets me goat the way some people push onto a train before the passengers on board can get off When someone says the phrase “something or other really gets my goat,” they mean that they are extremely irritated.A wide variety of things could contribute to irritation, ranging from someone else's actions to a series of events, but, despite the turn of phrase, goats are not usually involved.Like many colorful idioms in the English language, the origins of “get my goat” are murky, difficult to pin down, and actually rather fascinating, for people who enjoy exploring language.9.我們公司規定的試用階段,目的在于區分能夠勝任工作和不能勝任工作的人。
The purpose of our company^ trial employment period is to separate the wheat(the sheep)from the chaff(the goats).separate the sheep from the goats(British, American & Australian)also sort(out)the sheep from the goats(British & Australian)
to choose the people or things of high quality from a group of mixed quality I'll look through the application forms and separate the sheep from the goats.10.他是個膽小鬼,他不可能臨危不懼于關鍵時刻。
He is a chicken and it is impossible for him to face the music at the critical moment.11.這不是任何人的錯誤,責任完全在我們自己身上。我們不自量力,結果把自己搞得完蛋了
It was nobody's fault but our own.We cooked our own goose by trying to bite off more than we could chew.Cook one’s goose: ruin your chances;make impossible to succeed Explanation: Used when speaking about a person or thing that makes success impossible.Examples: Well, I cooked my goose by asking the wrong questions on the interview.-You'd better be careful when speaking to her, you don't want to cook your goose by saying something insensitive.12.她對家譜很感興趣。所謂自己無學問,莫把祖宗夸;我認為對一個人的評價源于其本身所為,而非其祖先。She's showed great interest in genealogy [,d?i:ni'?l?d?i](family tree).But mules boast much that their ancestors were horses;I think a person's value derives from what he does, not from what one of his ancestors might have been 13.與過去相比,小康之家逐漸多了起來。
Compared with the past, there is an increasing number of well-to-do families.Say something about the origins of the following.Adam’s profession Adam's profession此語源自莎士比亞:《哈姆雷特》第五場,譯為“園藝,農藝”。Shakespeare 在第五場中寫道:There is no ancient gentlemen but gardeners, ditchers, and grave makers ;they hold up Adam's profession.這里沒有古代紳士,只有花匠、挖溝者和修墓人;他們干的是園藝。measure for measure measure for measure.此語可譯為“一報還一報;冤報冤;仇報仇;以牙還牙”。源自《圣經■馬太福音》。耶穌說:“你們不要評判人,免得你們被人評 判。因為你們怎樣評判人,也必然會被人怎樣評判。你們用什么量器量別人,別人就必然會用什么量器來量你們。” enough to make the angles weep enough to make the angels weep.此語可譯為“愚逸得使人喪失信心和希望”。源自莎士比亞劇本《一報還一報》(Measure for Measure)第2幕第2場 once in a blue moon once in a blue moon.此語的中譯為“極為罕見,(機會)極少”。源于自 然科學現象。即在一定的條件下,當大氣中有大小合適的微塵時,就會出現太陽和月亮均呈深藍色的自然奇觀。據科學家們分析,此種罕見景觀的微塵可能 來自火山爆發,或沙漠揚塵,甚至森林大火。由于藍色月亮和藍色太陽出現的 機會少,所以此語具有上述譯文
以小人之心,度君子之腹 “以小人之心,度君子之腹,?可譯為gauge the heart of a gentleman with one's own mean measure t 或譯為 try to estimate what's in the heart of the great with the heart of the mean,語出《左傳?昭公二十八年》“愿以小人之腹,為君子之 心。”后經改造,用來指某些人以自己鄙陋或卑劣的心理,去推測品德髙尚者的 胸襟。南朝宋劉義慶《世說新語?雅量》:“庚曰:?可謂以小人之慮,度君子之心。此成語涉及這樣一則故事:公元前514年,晉國的執政大臣韓宣子去世,一位名叫魏舒的人繼位。他將兩個舊責族的田地分為10個縣,派賢能有功者 去任縣長。其中與他同宗的魏戊被派到梗陽縣任該職。此時,有一樁官司使其 深感棘手,他即報之魏舒,讓其處理。
對是,涉案一方暗中送魏舒一個女樂人,他欲將其收下。此事讓魏戊知道 了,他就對大臣閻沒和女寬說:“魏舒以不受賄賂而揚名各國,若收下女樂人,就沒有比這更大的賄賂了。您二位一定要勸諫他。”
之后,閻沒和女寬在庭院里等著魏舒的到來。吃飯的時候,魏舒就招呼他 倆一起來用餐,可他倆盯著桌上的飯菜接連嘆了三次氣。飯畢,魏舒就問其究 竟,并說伯父、叔父曾告訴他說,吃飯時要忘掉憂愁,剛才二位為何三次嘆氣呀?他們倆回答說“昨晚有人把酒賜給咱們兩個小人,所以沒吃晚飯,現在肚子 餓得慌,惟恐剛上的飯菜不夠吃而嘆氣。見菜上了一半時,咱們責備6己道:?難道將軍請咱們吃飯會不夠吃??因而再次嘆氣。等飯菜上完,咱們倆愿意把小人的肚子當做君子的心,剛剛滿足就行了!” 嫁禍于人
“嫁禍于人”可譯為:①shift the blame onto ②lay one's own fault at sb else?s door ③put one's misfortunes onto other people's shoulder.語出《史記?趙世 家》,對曰:“夫秦蠶食韓氏地,中絕不會相通,固自以為坐而受上黨之地也。韓氏所以不人秦者,欲嫁其禍于趙也。”這則故事說的是:公元前262年,韓囯 上黨守將馮亭派使者到趙國,便對孝成王說:“咱韓國已無法守住上黨了,它似 就要并人秦國了。但上黨的官吏與百姓均愿歸屬趙國,而不愿歸屬秦國。上黨 有城池17座,希望大王來管轄”。趙孝成王聞之喜形于色,即召見平陽君趙豹并詢問其看法。趙豹答曰: “圣人視無緣無故而得到為大禍害。” 孝成王反問道“天下人為我的恩德所感召,為何說此乃無緣無故而得 利呢?”
趙豹道:“秦國一直在蠶食韓國的土地,并早已認為輕易地得到上黨這塊 地方。韓國之所以不想把上黨交給秦國而交給趙國,是打箅把禍害轉到我們趙國身上。秦國付出了辛苦,卻未得到它,而咱趙國卻白白得到了,這怎能說非 無緣無故得了利呢?大干一定不要接受。” 孝成王不悅地說:“如今派百萬大軍去進攻,一年半載也不一定能得到一 座城池,現在人家送來17座城池之大禮于我,這可是大利呀!”后來孝成王因接受了這份禮物而引發了秦趙間的一場大戰。
第五篇:常用諺語翻譯專題
1.Absence makes the heart grow fonder。
小別勝新婚;離別更增思念之情。
2.Action speak louder than words。
行動勝于言辭;事實勝于雄辯;坐而言不如起而行。
3.Advice when most needed is least heeded。
忠言于最需要時,最不被重視;忠言逆耳。
4.Affection is blind reason。
愛情是盲目的理性。
5.After a storm comes a calm。
暴風雨后的寧靜;否極泰來;雨過天晴。
6.After dinner sit a while, after supper walk a mile。
飯后坐一下,晚飯后運動。
7.After night comes the day。
黑夜過后,白晝將至;否極泰來。
8.After pleasure comes pain。
先樂必后苦。
9.All cats are grey in the dark。
貓在黑暗中都是灰色的。
10.All good things come to an end。
好景不常;天下沒有不散的筵席。
11.All may begin a war, few can end it。
戰端易起難收。
12.All men are mortal。
人皆有一死。
13.All rivers run into the sea。
條條江河通大海;條條大道通羅馬;殊途同歸。
14.All roads lead to Rome。
條條大道通羅馬;殊途同歸。
15.All's fair in love and war。
戀愛和戰爭是不擇手段的;兵不厭詐;情場如戰場。
16.All's grist that comes to the mill。
到磨子里的一切都成粉;來者不拒,全盤照收。
17.All's well that ends well。
凡事結局好,則全部都好。
18.All that glitters is not gold。
發光的未必全是金;中看未必中用;人不可貌相。
19.All things come to those who wait。
懂得忍耐的人是最大的贏家;忍為上策。
20.All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy。
只工作而不游戲,會使人變得遲鈍。
21.Another day, another dollar。
做一天,一天。
22.Any port in a storm。
暴風雨中的港口;危急時的避難所;窮途末路之計。
23.Appearances are deceptive。
外表是靠不住的;勿以貌取人。
24.An apple a day keeps the doctor away。
每天吃一個蘋果,不必看醫生。
25.The apple never falls far from the tree。
蘋果只會掉落蘋果樹下。
26.April showers bring forth May flowers。
四月陣雨帶來五月花。
27.Art apes nature。
藝術模仿自然。
28.Art is long, life is short。
生也有涯,而知無涯;人生短暫,而學問無窮。
29.As a man lives, so shall he die;as a tree falls, so shall it lie。
人有生就有死;樹倒了,也就躺在那兒了。
30.As is the workman so is the work。
有怎樣的工匠就有怎樣的作品;物如其人。
31.As soon as is born he begins to die。
生即死的開端;人一出生,就是步向死亡。
32.As you brew, so must you drink。
自己釀的酒,自己喝;自作自受;自食其果。
33.As you make your bed, so you must lie on it。
自己鋪的床,自己睡;自作自受;自食其果。
34.As you sow, so will you reap。
種瓜得瓜,種豆得豆。
35.Ask no questions and be told no lies。
不問問題不會受騙;[臺灣諺語]小孩有耳無嘴。
36.A bad beginning makes a bad ending。
不善始者不善終。
37.A bad excuse is better than none at all。
一個勉強的借口,總比沒有強。
38.Bad excuses are worse than none。
壞借口不如沒借口。
39.Bad news has wings。
壞消息長了翅膀;好事不出門,壞事傳千里。
40.Bad news travels fast。
壞消息傳得快;好事不出門,壞事傳千里。
41.A bad penny always come back。
劣幣難除;燙手山芋甩不掉。
42.A bad workman always blames his tools。
拙劣的工匠總是埋怨工具不好。
43.A bargain is a bargain。
一言為定;協議已成,不可反悔。
44.Barking dogs seldom bite。
會叫的狗不咬人;色厲內荏。
45.Be it ever so humble, there's no place like home。
家雖簡陋,但沒有一個地方比家更溫暖;在家千日好,出門事事難。
46.Be just to all, but trust not all。
公道待人,但不可盡信之。
47.Be sure of hay till the end of May。
不到五月底,干草不可棄。
48.Be swift to hear, slow to hear。
多聽少說。
49.Beauty and chastity seldom meet。
美貌與貞潔常相斥。
50.Beauty is but a skin deep。
美貌是膚淺的;美麗是不能持久的;勿以貌取人。
51.Beauty is in the eye of the beholder。
情人眼里出西施。
52.Beggars cannot be choosers。
乞丐當無權選擇;討飯難揀嘴;饑難擇食。
53.Best is cheapest。
最好的即是最便宜的。
54.The best of friends must part。
朋友關系再好,終須分離;天下無不散的筵席。
55.The best things are hard to come by。
最好的東西難得到。
56.Better a bare foot than no foot at all。
光腳總比沒腳好,有總比沒有好。
57.Better a glorious death than a shameful life。
光榮赴死,好過茍且偷生。
58.Better be born lucky than wise。
運氣比才智更有用;生不逢時,再有才氣也沒用。
59.Better be sure than sorry。
安全總比后悔好;預防勝于后悔;寧未雨綢繆,毋事后懊悔。
60.Better give than take。
施比受有福。
61.Better late than never。
遲做總比不做好;亡羊補牢,尤為晚矣。
62.Better the devil you know than the devil you don't know。
已知的危險比未知的好;明槍易躲,暗箭難防。
63.Beware what and to whom you speak。
小心你說出的話和說話的對象。
64.A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush。
一鳥在手,勝于二鳥在林;到手的才實在;把握現在,不要空想未來。
65.Birds of a feather flock together。
物以類聚。
66.Bite not the hand that feeds thee。
別反咬喂你的手;不要忘恩負義。
67.A blessing in disguise。
外表似不幸,其實為幸福;因禍得福;塞翁失馬,安知非福。
68.The blind leads the blind。
盲人帶領盲人;問道于盲。
69.Blood will tell。
血統不彰自顯,不說自明。
70.Boys will be boys。
男孩畢竟是男孩。
71.A brave man smiles in the face of adversity。
勇者面對逆境也微笑;勇者不懼。
72.The bull must be taken by the horns。
對付公牛得抓其角;勇敢面對困難。
73.Business before pleasure。
先做完工作,再享受娛樂;先勞后樂。
74.Business is business。
公事公辦;就事論事;親兄弟明算帳。
75.Business is the salt of life。
事業能替人生增添趣味。
76.Call a spade a spade。
直言不諱;有話直說;說一是一,說二是二。
77.Cast not the first stone。
不要丟第一塊石頭;欲譴責別人前,先捫心自問是否無罪。
78.A cat has nine lives。
貓有九條命;吉人天相;命大。
79.Catch as catch can。
能拿多少算多少。
80.Catch one napping。
乘人不備,捉其把柄。
81.Caveat emptor。
顧客小心上當。
82.The chain is no stronger than its weakest link。
整個鏈條的強韌與否,要看最弱的那一環。
83.Charity begins at home。
仁愛先從家里開始;老吾老,以及人之老。
84.Christmas comes but once a year。
圣誕節一年才一次;佳節難逢。
85.Civility costs nothing。
禮貌不花分文。
86.Cleanliness is next to godliness。
潔凈僅次于敬神。
87.Clothes do not make the man。
衣冠不能造人品。
88.Clothes make the man。
人要衣裝,佛要金裝。
89.Constant dripping wears away the stone。
滴水穿石;鐵杵磨成針。
90.The course of true love never did run smooth。
真愛無坦途,好事多磨。
91.Courtesy costs nothing。
禮多人不怪;禮貌不費分文。
92.Covetousness is the root of all evil。
貪婪是萬惡之源。
93.A coward dies many deaths, a brave man but one。
懦夫死千次,勇者只死一次。
94.Cowards die many times before their deaths。
膽怯者在真正死前已死過多次。
95.Creep before you walk。
先學爬,再學走;按部就班。
96.A crooked stick throws a crooked shadow。
上梁不正下梁歪;曲杖生曲影。
97.Curiosity killed the cat。
好奇傷身。
98.The darkest hour comes before dawn。
黎明之前,是最黑暗的時刻。
99.The darkest hour is that before the dawn。
黎明之前最黑暗;否極泰來。
100.Dead men tell no tales。
死人不會泄密;死無對證。101.Death defies the doctor。
死神專與醫生作對。
102.Deathe is common to all。
人皆有一死。
103.Deeds, not words。
行動勝于空談;莫坐而言,要起而行。
104.The descent to hell is easy。
下地獄,容易得很。
105.The devil finds work for idle hands to do。
魔鬼找事給游手好閑得人去做;游手好閑,為非作歹。
106.The devil is never far off。
魔鬼總是近在眼前。
107.The devil never sleeps。
魔鬼從不睡覺。
108.The devil take the hindmost。
魔鬼抓去最后的人;落后者倒霉。
109.The die is cast。
色子已經擲出;木已成舟。
110.Discretion is the better part of valour。
審慎乃勇敢之主體;勇敢貴審慎。
111.A disease known is half cured。
弄清楚病情,就等于病治好了一半。
112.Do as I say, not as I do。
照我所說的去做,不要照我所做的去做。
113.Do as you would be done by。
已所欲,施于人。
114.Do in Rome as the Romans do。
在羅馬,就照著羅馬人的習俗去做;入鄉隨俗。
115.Do your best.Angels can do no better。
只要努力做,天使也不會做得比你更好。
116.Dog does not eat dog。
狗不吃狗;同類不相殘。
117.Doing is better than saying。
做比說好;坐而言,不如起而行。
118.Don't bite off more than you can chew。
貪多嚼不爛;不要自不量力。
119.Don't burn the candle at both ends。
蠟燭不要兩頭燒;不可過分透支體力。
120.Don't cast your pearls before swine。
不要在豬面前丟珍珠;不要對牛彈琴。
121.Don't change horses in mid—stream。
渡河途中莫換馬;臨陣莫換將。
122.Don't count your chickens before they are hatched。
不要打如意算盤;不要過早樂觀;小雞孵出之后才算數。
123.Don't cross a bridge till you come to it。
船到橋頭自然直;勿杞人憂天。
124.Don't cry over spilt milk。
牛奶灑了,哭也沒用;不要為無法挽回的事懊惱。
125.Don't cut off your nose to spite your face。
不要割下自己的鼻子來和臉過不去;不要和自己過不去。
126.Don't empty the baby out with the bath water。
不要將小孩與洗澡水一起倒掉。
127.Don't have too many irons in the fire。
不要把太多的鐵放到火爐里;不要同時做太多事;不要操之過急。
128.Don't judge by appearances。
別以貌取人;人不可貌相。
129.Don't make a mountain out of a molehill。
勿將鼴鼠丘看作大山;不要小題大做。
130.Don't measure other people's corn by your own bushel。
別用自己的斗去量別人的谷;勿以己度人。
131.Don't meet trouble halfway。
勿杞人憂天;勿自尋煩惱。
132.Don't paint the lily。
不要給百合花涂上顏色。
133.Don't put all your eggs in one basket。
不要把所有的蛋放在一個籃子里;勿孤注一擲。
134.Don't put the cart before the horse。
不要把馬車放在馬前;勿本末倒置。
135.Don't ride the high horse。
不要騎高馬;不要擺架子。
136.Don't set fire to your house to keep yourself warm。
不要焚屋取暖。
137.Don't tell tales out of school。
不要泄露秘密。
138.Don't wash your dirty linen in public。
家丑不可外揚。
139.Don't wear out your welcome。
莫停留太久以致不受歡迎;常客不受歡迎。
140.A drowning man will clutch at a straw。
溺者攀草求援;急不暇擇。
141.Drunkenness reveals what soberness conceals。
酒醉時會說出清醒時不想說的話;酒后吐真言。
142.Dry bread at home is better than roast meat abroad。
在家吃干面包,好過在外吃烤肉;在家千日好,出門事事難。
143.Dying men speak true。
快要死的人說真話;人之將死,其言也善。
144.The early bird catches the worm。
早起的鳥兒有蟲吃;捷足先登。
145.Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise。
早睡早起使人健康、富有又聰明。
146.Eaiser said than done。
說時容易做時難;知易行難。
147.East or west, home is best。
東奔西跑,不如家里最好;金窩、銀窩,不如自己的草窩。
148.Easy come, easy go。
來得容易去得快。
149.Eat to live and not live to eat。
吃飯是為了活著,活著不是為了吃飯。150.The end justifies the means。
為達目的,不擇手段。
151.An Englishman's house is his castle。
英國人的家就是他的城堡。
152.Enough is enough。
夠用就夠了。
153.Even a worm will turn。
甚至蠕蟲也會翻身;狗急跳墻。
154.Even Homer sometimes nods。
即使荷馬也會打瞌睡;智者千慮,必有一失。
155.Every ass likes to hear himself bray。
每頭驢子都愛聽自己嘶叫;馬不知臉長。
156.Every cloud has a silver lining。
烏云背后是銀邊;否極泰來;因禍得福。
157.Every couple is not a pair。
兩個人未必就是一對。
158.Every day is not holiday。
不是每天都是假日。
159.Every dog has his day。
狗也有走運的一天;凡人皆有得意日。
160.Every little helps。
點滴都有用;積少成多。
161.Every man has his faults。
每個人都有缺點;人非圣賢,孰能無過。
162.Every man has his price。
人各有價;人人可以被收買。
163.Every man is his own worst enemy。
每個人是自己最大的敵人。
164.Every why has a wherefore。
事出必有因。
165.Everybody's business is nobody's business。
眾人之事無人管;三個和尚沒水喝。
166.Everyone to his taste。
人各有所好。
167.Everything comes to him who waits。
等待的人終必得到。
168.Everything has an end。
所有的事情都有終結;天下無不散之筵席。
169.Evil tidings spread quickly。
好事不出門,壞事傳千里。
170.The exception proves the rule。
例外證明法則的存在。
171.Expectation is better than realization。
期待比實現更美好。
172.Experience is the best teacher。
經驗即良師。
173.An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth。
以眼還眼,以牙還牙。
174.The eye is bigger than the belly。
眼大肚子小。
175.A fair face may hide a foul heart。
笑里藏刀,包藏禍心。
176.Faith will move mountains。
信念可撼山。
177.False with one can be false with two。
撒了一次謊,必有第二次。
178.Familiarity breeds contempt。
熟悉易生輕侮。
179.A fault confessed is half redressed。
承認錯,就等于改正了一半;知過能改,善莫大焉。
180.First come, first served。
先到先得,捷足先登。
181.First impressions are most lasting。
初次印象最持久;先入為主。
182.First think and then speak。
先想好了再發言。
183.A fool and his money are soon parted。
愚人難聚財。
184.Fools rush in where angels fear to tread。
天使不敢涉足的地方,愚人卻沖進去;無知的人,天不怕,地不怕。
185.For want of a nail?
事小關大局。
186.Forbidden fruit is sweetest。
禁果最甜。
187.Forewarmed is forearmed。
預先獲得警告,既是預先有了準備;凡事預則立。
188.Forgive and forget。
既往不咎。
189.Fortune helps him that's willing to help himself。
天助自助者。
190.A friend in need is a friend indeed。
患難見真情;患難之交才是真朋友。
191.A friend to all is a friend to none。
對誰都友好的人,等于對誰都不友好。
192.Gather ye rosebuds while ye may。
有花堪折直需折。
193.Give a fool rope enough, and he'll hang himself。
任由愚人自為,他將自取滅亡。
194.Give a man an annuity and he'll live for ever。
給人年金,他就會長命百歲。
195.Give a thief enough rope and he'll hang himself。
多行不義必自斃。
196.Give and take。
施舍與接納;交換意見;有來有往。
197.Give credit where credit is due。
有功則賞。
198.Give him an inch and he'll take an ell。
得寸進尺。
199.Give me liberty or give me death。
不自由,毋寧死。
200.Give the devil his due。
公平看待魔鬼;平心而論。
201.God helps those who help themselves。
天助自助者。
202.God is a sure paymaster。
上帝絕不欠人的債。
203.A good beginning makes a good ending。
有善始必有善終。
204.Good company makes short miles。
良伴同行路途短。
205.A good dog deserves a good bone。
良犬應得好骨頭。
206.A good face needs no paint。
姣好的臉毋須化妝。
207.Good fences make good neighbours。
籬笆筑得牢,鄰居處得好。
208.A good husband makes a good wife。
夫好則妻賢。
209.A good name is sooner lost than won。
好名聲得之難,失之易。
210.A good tale is none the worse for being told twice。
好戲不厭百回看;好故事百聽不厭。
211.Good to begin well, better to end well。
有善始很好,有善終更好。
212.A good wife makes a good husband。
有好妻子就有好丈夫。
213.Good words are worth much and cost little。
說好話最劃算。
214.The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence。
籬笆外的草總是比較綠;外國的月亮比較圓。
215.Great minds think alike。
英雄所見略同。
216.Half a loaf is better than no bread。
半條面包總比沒面包好;聊勝于無。
217.Half empty is half full。
半空就是半滿。
218.Half the world knows not how the other half lives。
世界上有一半的人不知道另一半人如何生活。
219.The hand that rocks the cradle rules the world。
推搖籃的手支配世界。
220.Handsome is as handsome does。
行為漂亮才是美;心美貌亦美。
221.Haste makes waste。
欲速則不達。
222.A hasty meeting, a hasty parting。
聚的匆忙散得快。
223.He helps little that helps not himself。
連自己都幫不了得人,不會有大用處。
224.He laughs best who laughs last。
笑到最后的人笑的最甜;別高興得太早。
225.He robs Peter to pay Paul。
搶彼得得錢,還保羅的債。
226.He that fights and runs away may live to fight another day。
逃跑的人未來可以再戰;留得青山在,不怕沒柴燒。
227.He that gains time gains all things。
能爭取時間,便能獲得一切。
228.He that runs fastest gets the ring。
誰跑得快,誰得獎;捷足先登。
229.He that runs fast will not run long。
跑得快的人跑不久。
230.He who begins many things, finishes but few。
虎頭蛇尾。
231.He who denies all confesses all。
全部否認即全部承認;欲蓋彌彰。
232.He who hesitates is lost。
遲疑者必失良機。
233.He who lives in a glass house should not throw stones。
自己有缺點,就不應該說別人。
234.Health is better than wealth。
健康勝于財富。
235.Heaven helps those who help themselves。
天助自助者。
236.A heavy purse makes a light heart。
錢袋重,心快活。
237.His bark is worse than his bite。
叫得兇,但咬得不重;雷聲大,雨點小。
238.History repeats itself。
歷史會重演。
239.Hitch your wagon to a star。
把你的馬車栓到星星上;要理想崇高,胸懷大志。
240.Home is home, be it ever so humble。
家雖簡陋,但沒有一個地方比家更溫暖;在家千日好,出外事事難。
241.Honesty is the best policy。
誠實為上策。
242.Hope for the best and prepare for the worst。
抱最好的希望,作最壞的打算。
243.Hope is the poor man's bread。
希望是窮人的面包;窮人靠希望活下去。
244.Hope springs eternal in the human breast。
希望永遠在人的心中滋生。
245.A house divided against itself cannot stand。
有內訌的家不能存在;家和萬事興。
246.Hunger knows no friend。
饑餓使人六親不認。
247.If a man deceives me once, shame on him;if he deceives me twice, shame on
me。
人欺我一次,他可恥;欺我兩次,我可恥。
248.If a thing is worth doing it is worth doing well。
如故一件事值得做,就值得做好。
249.If at first you don't succeed, try, try, try again。
再接再厲,終會成功。
250.If the shoe fits, wear it。
如果鞋子合適,就穿吧;有則改之,無則嘉勉。
251.If you can't beat 'em join 'em。
不能打敗他們,就加入他們。
252.If you do not like it you must lump it。
即使你不喜歡,也得忍受;逆來順受。
253.If you want a thing well done, do it yourself。
欲事成當自為之。
254.If you want peace, prepare for war。
欲求和平,先準備戰爭。
255.Ignorance is bliss。
無知就是福。
256.Ill got, ill spent。
悖入悖出;不義之財,不可久享。
257.Ill news comes apace。
壞事傳千里。
258.Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery。
模仿是最真摯的奉承。
259.In for a penny, in for a pound。
既已投下一便士,索性再花一英鎊;一不做,二不休。
260.In union is strength。
團結就是力量。
261.It is a sad heart that never rejoices。
永無歡樂的心是可悲的;哀莫大于心死。
262.It's a small world。
人生何處不相逢;冤家路窄。
263.It is always darkest just before the day dawns。
黎明之前最為黑暗;否極泰來。
264.It's an ill bird that fouls its own nest。
弄臟自己巢的鳥,不是好鳥;家丑不可外揚。
265.It's an ill wind that blows nobody good。
無人得到好處的風可真是壞風;凡事皆有利有弊。
266.It is as well to know which way the wind blows。
最好知道風吹往哪個方向;識時務者為俊杰。
267.It is best to be on the safe side。
小心謹慎為上策。
268.It is better to be alone than iin bad company。
交惡友不如無友。
269.It is better to die with honour than to live with shame。
光榮而死,好過含辱茍活。
270.It is better to do well than to say well。
說得好不如做得好。
271.It is better to give than to take。
施比受有福。
272.It is better to wear out than to rust out。
與其銹壞,不如用壞;與其閑死,不如忙死。
273.It is easier said than done。
說比做容易。
274.It is love that makes the world go round。
愛情使世界旋轉。
275.It is more blessed to give than to receive。
施比受更有福。
276.It is no use crying over spilt milk。
打翻牛奶,哭也沒用;覆水難收。
277.It is not how long but how well we live。
人生在于活得漂亮,而非活得長久。
278.It is the unexpected that always happens。
意外常常發生。
279.It is too late to lock the stable when the horse has been stolen。
亡羊補牢,為時已晚。
280.It is too late to shut the stable—door when the steed is stolen。
馬已被偷再關馬廄;亡羊補牢,為時已晚。
281.It is useless to flog a dead horse。
鞭死馬無益;勿舊調重彈。
282.It never rains but pours。
不雨則已,一雨傾盆;屋漏偏逢連夜雨;禍不單行。
283.It takes all sorts to make a world。
世界是由各式各樣的人組成的。
284.It takes two to make a quarrel。
兩個人才能吵架;一個巴掌拍不響。
285.A Jack of all trades is master of none。
無能先生,無一精通;樣樣通,樣樣松。
286.The journey of a thousand miles starts with one step。
千里之行,始于足下;萬丈高樓平地起。
287.Judge not a book by its cover。
不能光用封面來評斷一本書的好壞;不能以貌取人。
288.Judge not, that ye be judged。
不評論人,以免被人評論。
289.Jump once but look twice。
三思而后行。
290.Keep something for a rainy day。
未雨綢繆,有備無患。
291.Keep your mouth shut and your eyes open。
少說話,多觀察。
292.Keep your purse and your mouth closed。
不浪費,不多言;把錢包與嘴巴閉緊。
293.Kill not the goose that lays the golden eggs。
勿殺生金蛋的鵝;勿殺雞取卵。
294.Kill two birds with one stone。
以一石殺二鳥;一舉兩得。
295.Knowledge is power。
知識就是力量。
296.The laborer is worthy of his hire。
一分辛勞,一分收獲。
297.The last straw breaks the camel's back。
最后一根稻草,壓斷駱駝的背;凡事宜節制,過則必敗事。
298.Laugh and the world laughs with you;weep and you weep alone。
歡笑,則世界與你同樂;哭泣,則獨自悲傷。
299.Laughter is the best medicine。
笑是最好的藥。
300.Learn to walk before you run。
學跑之前先學走。
301.Least said, soonest mended。
話少易了;話少禍少;言多必失。
302.The leopard cannot change his spots。
豹無法改變它的斑點;本性難移。
303.Let bygones be bygones。
讓過去的事成為過去;既往不咎。
304.Let sleeping dogs lie。
讓睡覺的狗躺著;勿惹是生非;勿打草驚蛇。
305.Let the buyer beware。
顧客小心上當。
306.A light purse makes a heavy heart。
錢袋輕,心沉重。
307.Like father, like son。
有其父必有其子。
308.Like will to like。
物以類聚;同聲相應;同氣相求。
309.A little learning is a dangerous thing。
一知半解最危險。
310.Little pitchers have long ears。
水罐雖小,耳朵長;小孩子,耳朵靈。
311.Little strokes fell great oaks。
滴水穿石。
312.Live and learn。
活到老,學到老;學無止境。
313.Live and let live。
自己活,也讓別人活;互相幫助,共存共榮。
314.Live not to eat, but eat to live。
活著不是為吃,吃是為了活。
315.Living well is the best revenge。
活得好就是給仇人最好的報復。
316.Lock the stable after the horse is stolen。
亡羊補牢,為時已晚。
317.Long absent, soon forgotten。
離久情疏。
318.The longest day must have an end。
最長之日終有盡時;否極泰來。
319.The longest night will have an end。
最長的夜也有結束的時候;否極泰來。
320.Look before you leap。
三思而行。
321.Love is blind。
愛情是盲目的。
322.Love me, love my dog。
愛我,也愛我的狗;愛屋及烏。
323.The love of money is the root of all evil。
愛財是一切罪惡的根源。
324.Love will find a way。
真情所至,金石為開。
325.Make haste slowly。
要 快中有慢;欲速則不達。
326.Make hay while the sun shines。
有太陽時快曬草;把握時機。
327.Make much of what you have。
善于利用手邊的東西。
328.Make the best of a bad bargain。
善處逆境。
329.Make the best of a bad job。
善處逆境。
330.A man can lead a horse to the water but he cannot make him drink。
師傅領進門,修行在個人。
331.A man has many enemies when his back is to the wall。
身處絕境的人,仇敵很多。
332.A man is known by the company he keeps。
觀其友,知其人;物以類聚。
333.Man proposes, God disposes。
某事在人,成事在天。
334.Man shall not live by bread alone。
人生活不只靠面包。
335.Man's work lasts till set of sum;woman's work is never done。
男人的工作從日出到日落,女人的工作永遠做不完。
336.Many a true word is spoken in jest。
玩笑之中有真話;笑談之中有至理名言。
337.Many hands make light work。
人多好辦事;眾擎易舉。
338.Many heads are better than one。
眾人的主意,總比一個人的好;三個臭皮匠,勝過一個諸葛亮。
339.Marry in haste, and repent at leisure。
匆忙結婚必后悔。
340.Measure for measure。
一報還一報;以其人之道,還治其人之身。
341.Measure yourself by your own foot。
以自己的標準衡量自己;以己之尺,度己之身。
342.Men are known by the company they keep。
觀其友,知其人;物以類聚。
343.Men may promise more in a day than they will fulfill in a year。
人一天內許的愿,會比一年內能實現的多。
344.Might si right。
強權即是公理。
345.Mind your p's and q's。
p和q要分辨清楚;要謹慎行事。
346.Misery loves company。
禍不單行。
347.Misfortunes never come singly。
禍不單行。
348.A miss is as good as a mile。
失之毫厘,差之千里。
349.Moderation in all things。
凡事中庸而行。
350.Money begets money。
錢可生錢。
351.Money burns a hole in the pocket。
錢在口袋里燒了個洞;有錢必花光。
352.Money draws money。
錢生錢,利滾利。
353.Money si the root of all evil。
錢是一切罪惡的根源。
354.Money makes the mare go。
有錢能使鬼推磨;金錢萬能。
355.More haste, less speed。
欲速則不達。
356.More than enough is too much。
超過所需就是太多;凡事適可而止。
357.The more you have, the more you want。
擁有愈多,想要愈多。
358.Murder will out。
惡事必敗露;天網恢恢,疏而不漏。
359.My son is my son till he has got him a wife, but my daughter's my daughter
all the days of her life。
兒子一娶妻就不再是兒子,女兒卻終生是女兒。
360.Nature is the best physician。
大自然是最好的醫生。
361.Necessity is the mother of invention。
需要為發明之母;窮則變,變則通。
362.Neither a borrower nor a lender be。
既不要做負債者,也不要做債主。
363.Never answer a question until it is asked。
沒人問起,別先回答。
364.Never ask pardon before you are accused。
未被指控前不求饒;不要自己承認犯罪。
365.Never cross your bridges till you come to them。
船到橋頭自然直;勿杞人憂天。
366.Never do things by halves。
勿半途而廢。
367.Never judge by appearances。
人不可貌相;勿以貌取人。
368.Never look a gift horse in the mouth。
不要看別人贈送的馬的嘴;不要挑剔得到的禮物。
369.Never make threats you cannot carry out。
不要做不能實現的威脅;勿虛張聲勢。
370.Never put off till tomorrow what you can do today。
今日事,今日畢。
371.Never say die。
永遠不要說“完了”;不要氣餒。
372.Never speak ill of men behind their backs。
別在背后說人壞話。
373.Never spend your money before you have it。
錢到手了再花;量入為出。
374.Never trouble trouble till trouble troubles you。
勿自尋煩惱;勿杞人憂天。
375.Never venture out of your depth till you can swim。
還不會游泳,就不要冒險入深池。
376.No answer is also an answer。
沒有答案也是一種答案。
377.No gain without pain。
不勞則無獲。
378.No man is an island。
沒有人是1個孤島;沒有人是孤立的。
379.No news is good news。
沒消息,就是好消息。
380.No pain(s),no gain(s)。
不勞則無獲;吃得苦中苦,方為人上人。
381.No time like the present。
現在就是最好的時光;大好時光,莫如今朝。
382.Noblesse oblige。
生為貴族,舉止就要像貴族。
383.The noblest vengeance is to forgive。
寬恕是最高尚的報復。
384.None so blind as those who won't see。
沒有人比不愿看的人更瞎。
385.None so deaf as those who won't hear。
沒有人比不愿聽的人更聾。
386.Not to advance is to go back。
不進則退;沒有進步就是退步。
387.Nothing attempted, nothing gained。
不試則一事無成;不入虎穴,焉得虎子。
388.Nothing for nothing。
沒錢買不到東西;天下沒有免費的午餐。
389.Nothing is as good as it seems beforehand。
事前看事最美好;沒有什么事比事前看來得好。
390.Nothing is certain but uncertainty。
不確定就是世界上的常理。
391.Nothing is given so freely as advice。
人們都樂于給別人忠告。
392.Nothing is good or bad but by comparion。
不經比較,不知好壞;不怕不識貨,就怕貨比貨。
393.Nothing is impossible to a willing heart。
天下無難事,只怕有心人。
394.Nothing is so certain as the unexpected。
意料之外的事必發生。
395.Nothing seek, nothing find。
不尋找,不會得到。
396.Nothing succeeds like success。
沒有事情會像成功那樣,一次接著一次;一事如意,事事順利。
397.Of two evils choose the lesser。
兩害相權取其輕。
398.Old friends and old wine are best。
朋友和酒是老的好。
399.Old habits die hard。
積習難改。
400.The old way is best。
老方法最好。
401.Once a beggar, always a beggar。
一日為乞丐,終生是乞丐。
402.Once bitten, twice shy。
上一次當,學一次乖;一朝被蛇咬,十年怕井繩。
403.One cannot be in two place at once。
一個人不能同時在兩地;分身乏術。
404.One cannot put back the clock。
時光不能倒流。
405.One father can support ten children;ten children cannot support one father。
一父能養十子;十子難養一父。
406.One good turn deserves another。
善有善報。
407.One is never too old to learn。
活到老,學到老。
408.One man's meat is another man's poison。
隊甲是肉,對乙是毒;人各有所好。
409.One of these days is none of these days。
拖延時日,終難實現。
410.One picture is worth a thousand words。
千言不如一畫;百聞不如一見。
411.One rotten apple spoils the whole lot。
一只爛蘋果,弄壞全筐;害群之馬。
412.Opportunity makes the thief。
機會制造小偷;勿使人有機可乘。
413.Opportunity seldom knocks twice。
機會很少敲兩次門;福無雙至;機會難得。
414.Our worst misfortunes are those which never befall us。
最大的不幸,是為沒有發生的事苦惱。
415.Out of debt, out of danger。
不負債,沒有危險。
416.Out of sight, out of mind。
眼不見,心不念;離久情疏。
417.Out of the frying-pan into the fire。
逃出熱鍋,卻掉到火里;每下愈況。
418.Paddle your own canoe。
自己搖漿;自力更生。
419.Patience is a virtue。
忍耐是美德。
420.The pen is mighter than the sword。
文勝于武;筆誅勝于劍伐。
421.Penny and penny laid up will be many。
積分成萬;積少成多;積沙成塔。
422.A penny for your thoughts。
我給你一分錢,你告訴我你在想什么。
423.A penny saved is a penny earned。
省一分,就是賺一分。
424.Penny wise, pound foolish。
小處聰明,大事苯;貪小失大。
425.People who live in glass houses should not throw stones。
自己住在玻璃屋,不要向別人扔石頭;自己有缺點,就不要說別人。
426.Pigs might fly。
世上無奇不有。
427.Pitchers have ears。
水罐有耳;隔墻有耳。
428.A place for everything, and everything in iis place。
各種東西應放在固定的地方;萬物各得其所。
429.Possession is nine points of the law。
占有即已九成合法;財產一占有,官司準打贏。
430.The pot called the kettle black。
鍋笑壺黑;五十步笑一百步。
431.Poverty is a pain, but no disgrace。
貧窮是痛苦,而非恥辱。
432.Poverty is no sin。
貧窮非罪惡;貧窮不足以為恥。
433.Practice makes perfect。
熟能生巧。
434.Practice what you preach。
實行你所講的道理;躬行己說;言行一致。
435.Praise makes good men better and bad men worse。
稱贊使善人更善,惡人更惡。
436.Pretty is as pretty does。
行為善者始為美;心美貌亦美。
437.Prevention is better than cure。
預防勝于治療。
438.Pride goes before a fall。
驕傲走在跌倒的前面;驕者必敗。
439.Pride will have a fall。
驕傲會使人跌交;驕者必敗。
440.The proof of the pudding is in the eating。
布丁的美味吃時方知;空談不如實際。
441.Rain, rain, go to Spain。
雨啊雨啊,到西班牙去。
442.Rats desert a sinking ship。
鼠棄沉船。
443.Red sky at night, shepherd's delight;red sky in the morning, shepherd's
warning。
傍晚天紅,牧羊人高興;早晨天紅,牧羊人當心。
444.Revenge is sweet。
復仇是甜蜜的。
445.Revenge is a dish that should be eaten cold。
報復是一道等涼再吃的菜;君子報仇,十年不晚。
446.The road to hell is paved with good intention。
去地獄的路是善意鋪成的。
447.A rolling stone gathers no moss。
滾石不生苔;轉業不聚財。
448.Rome was not built in a day。
羅馬不是一天建成的。
449.A rose by any other name would smell as sweet。
玫瑰即使被稱作其它的名字,芬芳依舊。
450.Salt seasons all things。
鹽能調理百味。
451.Saying is one thing and doing another。
說是一回事,做是一回事;說來容易做來難。
452.A secret is too little for one, enough for two, too much for three。
秘密一人知道太少,兩個人知道剛剛好,三個人知道就太多了。
453.Seeing is believing。
眼見為實;百聞不如一見。
454.Self-praise is no recommendation。
自我夸獎不可取。
455.Self-preservation is the first law of nature。
保護自己,是自然界最原始的法則;人不為己,天誅地滅。
456.Set a thief to catch a thief。
用小偷去抓小偷。
457.Share and share alike。
合伙則利益均分。
458.Short pleasure, long lament。
歡愉一時,悔恨一世。
459.Show me not the meat but show me the man。
不用看食物,看本人就行。
460.Silence is golden。
沉默是金。
461.Sink or swim。
非浮即沉;成敗全靠自己。
462.Six of one and half a dozen of the other。
半斤對八兩。
463.Slow and steady wins the race。
慢而穩者得勝。
464.Slow but sure wins the race。
慢而穩者得勝。
465.A slow courtesy is a discourtesy。
遲來的禮貌就是失禮。
466.A small gift brings often a great reward。
送小禮,往往能得大回饋;放小餌,釣大魚。
467.Small profits, quick returns。
薄利多銷。
468.So far, so good。
到目前為止,一切都好。
469.So many men, so many minds。
十人十心;人多意見雜。
470.Soft words win hard heart。
溫和的言語能打動鐵石心腸;以柔克剛。
471.Some people cannot see the wood for the trees。
見樹不見林。
472.Something is better than nothing。
有一點總比沒有好;聊勝于無。
473.Soon learnt, soon forgotten。
學得快,忘得快。
474.A sound mind in a sound body。
健全的心靈,在于健全的身體。
475.Spare the rod and spoil the child。
孩子不打不成器。
476.Speak not all you know, do not all you can, believe not all you hear。
話到嘴邊留三分,做事之時留一手,聽聞之事莫盡信。
477.Speech is silver, silence is golden。
說話是銀,沉默是金。
478.The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak。
心有余而力不足;愛莫能助。
479.Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me。
棍棒和石頭會打斷我的骨頭,但言語卻傷不了我。
480.Still waters run deep。
靜水流深;大智若愚;深藏不漏。
481.A stitch in time saves nine。
一針及時省九針;及時行事,事半功倍。
482.Stolen pleasure are sweetest。
偷來的快樂最甜。
483.The strength of the chain is in the weakest link。
鏈子的強度如何,在于最弱的一環。
484.Strike while the iron is hot。
打鐵趁熱;把握時機。
485.A stumble may prevent a fall。
小顛簸可防摔大跤;犯小錯可防犯大錯。
486.Sweet is the fruit of labour。
勞動的果實最甜美;先苦后樂。
487.The tailor's wife is worst clad。
裁縫師自己的老婆,衣服穿得最破。
488.Take care of the pence and the pounds will take care of themselves。
省小錢,成大富;小事注意,大事自成;小事都注意到,大事自然不會有問題。
489.Take it or leave it。
要就拿去,不然就放下;要就要,不要就算了。
490.Take the bull by the horns。
對付公牛得抓其角;不畏艱難。
491.Take the rough with the smooth。
逆來順受;隨遇而安。
492.Take things as they come。
隨遇而安;逆來順受。
493.Take things as you find them。
入鄉隨俗;隨遇而安;逆來順受。
494.A tale never loses in the telling。
故事相傳,有加無減。
495.Talk of the devil and he is sure to appear。
說曹操,曹操就到。
496.Tastes differ。
人人品味不同;人各有所好。
497.That thing which is rare is dear。
物以希為貴。
498.There are tricks in every trade。
各行都有訣竅。
499.There are two sides to every question。
每個問題都有正反兩面;凡事皆有利有弊。500.There are wheels within wheels。
幕后有人指使。
Take things as they come。
既來之,則安之。
Talking mends no holes。
空談無補。
Talk of the devil and he will appear。
說曹操,曹操就到。
Tall trees catch much wind。
樹大招風。
Teach others by your example。
躬親示范。
The best hearts are always the bravest。
無私者無畏。
The best man stumbles。
偉人也有犯錯時。
The cat shuts its eyes when stealing。
掩耳盜鈴。
The danger past and God forgotten。
過河拆橋。
The darkest hour is nearest the dawn。
黎明前的黑暗。
The darkest place is under the candlestick。
燭臺底下最暗。
The devil knows many things because he is old。
老馬識途。
The devil sometimes speaks the truth。
魔鬼有時也會說真話。
The die is cast。
木已成舟。
The early bird catches the worm。
早起的鳥兒有蟲吃。
The end justifies the means。
只要目的正當,可以不擇手段。
The end makes all equal。
死亡面前,人人平等。
The eye is bigger than the belly。
貪多嚼不爛。
The farthest way about is the nearest way home。
抄近路反而繞遠路。
The finest diamond must be cut。
玉不琢,不成器。
The fire is the test of gold, adversity of strong man。
烈火驗真金,艱難磨意志。
The first step is the only difficulty。
邁出第一步是最艱難的。
The fox knew too much, that's how he lost his tail。
機關算盡太聰明,反誤了卿卿性命。
The fox preys farthest from home。
兔子不吃窩邊草。
The frog in the well knows nothing of the great ocean。
坐井觀天。
The grass is greener on the other side。
這山望著那山高。
The greatest talkers are always least doers。
語言的巨人總是行動的矮子。
The higher up, the greater the fall。
爬得高,摔得慘。
The leopard cannot change its spots。
本性難移。
The more noble, the more humble。
人越高尚,越謙虛。
The more wit, the less courage。
初生牛犢不怕虎。
The outsider sees the most of the game。
旁觀者清。
The pen is mightier than the sword。
筆能殺人。
The pot calls the kettle black。
五十步笑百步。
There are spots in the sun。
太陽也有黑點。
There are two sides to every question。
問題皆有兩面。
There is a skeleton in the cupboard。
家家有本難念的經。
There is kindness to be found everywhere。
人間處處有溫情。
There is no general rule without some exception。
任何法規均有例外。
There is no medicine against death。
沒有長生不老藥。
There is no place like home。
金窩銀窩不如咱的狗窩。
There is no royal road to learning。
書山有路勤為徑,學海無涯苦作舟。
The style is the man。
字如其人。
The tongue is not steel, yet it cuts。
人言可畏。
The water that bears the boat is the same that swallows it up。
水能載舟,亦能覆舟。
The wise man knows he knows nothing, the fool thinks he knows all。
清者自清,濁者自濁。
The wolf has a winning game when the shepherds quarrel。
螳螂捕蟬,黃雀在后。
The world is a ladder for some to go up and others to go down。
世界如階梯,有人上有人下。
The world is but a little place, after all。
海內存知己,天涯若比鄰。
Think twice before you do。
三思而后行。
Things at the worst will mend。
否極泰來。
Time and tide wait for no man。
時不我待。
Time cures all things。
時間是醫治一切創傷的良藥。
Time flies。
光陰似箭。
Time is money。
時間就是金錢。
Time lost cannot be won again。
時光流逝,不可復得。
Time past cannot be called back again。
時間不能倒流。
Time tries all。
路遙知馬力,日久見人心。
Tit for tat is fair play。
人不犯我,我不犯人;人若犯我,我必犯人。
To err is human。
人非圣賢,孰能無過。
To know everything is to know nothing。
什么都知道,一如什么都不知道。
To know oneself is true progress。
人貴有自知之明。
Tomorrow never comes。
我生待明日,萬事成蹉跎。
Too much familiarity breeds contempt。
過分熟悉會使人互不服氣。
Too much knowledge makes the head bald。
學問太多催人老。
Too much liberty spills all。
自由放任,一事無成。
Too much praise is a burden。
過多夸獎,反成負擔。
To save time is to lengthen life。
節約時間就是延長生命。
Touch pitch, and you will be defiled。
常在河邊走,哪有不濕鞋。
Troubles never come singly。
福無雙至,禍不單行。
Truth never grows old。
真理永存。
Turn over a new leaf。
洗心革面,改過自新。
Two dogs strive for a bone, and a third runs away with it。
鷸蚌相爭,漁翁得利。
Two heads are better than one。
一個好漢三個幫。
Two of a trade seldom agree。
同行是冤家。
Two wrongs do not make a right。
別人錯了,不等于你對了。
Unity is strength。
團結就是力量。
Unpleasant advice is a good medicine。
忠言逆耳利于行。
Until all is over one's ambition never dies。
不到黃河心不死。
Venture a small fish to catch a great one。
吃小虧占大便宜。
Virtue is fairer far than beauty。
美德遠遠勝過美貌。
Walls have ears。
小心隔墻有耳。
Wash your dirty linen at home。
家丑不可外揚。
Water dropping day by day wears the hardest rock away。
滴水穿石。
Wealth is nothing without health。
失去健康,錢再多也沒用。
We know not what is good until we have lost it。
好東西,失去了才明白。
Well begun is half done。
好的開始,是成功的一半。
We never know the worth of water till the well is dry。
井干方知水可貴。
We shall never have friends if we expect to find them without fault。
欲求完美無缺的朋友必然成為孤家寡人。
We should never remember the benefits we have offered nor forget the favor
received。
自己的好事別去提,別人的恩惠要銘記。
Wet behind the ears。
乳臭未干。
Whatever you do, do with all your might。
不管做什么,都要一心一意。
What is learned in the cradle is carried to the grave。
兒時所學,終生難忘。
What's done cannot be undone。
生米煮成熟飯了。
What's lost is lost。
失者不可復得。
What we do willingly is easy。
愿者不難。
When in Rome, do as the Romans do。
入國問禁,入鄉隨俗。
When everybody's somebody then nobody's anybody。
人人都偉大,世間沒豪杰。
When sorrow is asleep, wake it not。
傷心舊事別重提。
When sorrows come, they come not single spies, but in battalions。
新仇舊恨,齊上心頭。
When the fox preaches, take care of your geese。
黃鼠狼給雞拜年,沒安好心。
When wine is in truth, wit is out。
酒后吐真言。
Where there is a will, there is a way。
有志者事竟成。
Where there is life, there is hope。
留得青山在,不怕沒柴燒。
Where there is smoke, there is fire。
事出有因。