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The English Learner`s Guide to Chinglish 中式英语之鉴

(读者对象: 初~中级学习者) (不断补充、更新中)

朋友:转载此贴时,请注明来自:
雨巷寻香英语角 http://www.rainlane.com

Sources:
.
1.《中式英语》戴丹妮 主编
2.《翻译的技巧》钱歌川 编著
3.《汉英词语翻译漫话》陈忠诚 著
4.《现代英语用法词典》张道真 编
5.《英语惯用法大词典》王福祯 徐达山 主编
6.《英语常见问题解答大词典》赵振才 编著
7.《实用英语正误词典》本词典编写组 编
8.《英语典型错落100句》晓夏编辑室 编著
9.《向左向右学英语常见错误》叶硕 著
10. World Talk, Common Errors in English From A to Z
---Co-authored by Liming Jing and Dennis James Le Boeuf

Collected and Edited by 山定子.


Original Posting is at:
http://www.rainlane.com/dispbbs.asp?boardID=11&ID=12354&page=1

说明:
所谓[正]和[误],是为便于比较而设的形式而已,是想借此形式为学生学习巩固英语常用习惯用法起助记提醒之作用。所谓
[正]、[误]是个相对概念,不是绝对的,有很多表达只是得体与不得体、地道与不地道的问题。考虑初学者接受能力有限,一个
单项不益搞得面面俱到或超出能力范围,他们读到的一条只是相对较为得体的一种表达法而已,随着不断的学习,想必其知识自
然会扩展和深入的。总之,我们学的是英语,所以就要尽量按英语的表达法说话、造句,克服中式英语自然是我们努力的目标。

欢迎网友对本 thread 中的错误和不当之处进行批评指正,在此表示感谢。

Index:

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1.扫帚星 2.萝卜青菜,各有所爱 3.嘴硬 4.嘴甜 5.拍马屁 6.把...给甩了 7.社会主义的现代化强国 8.白酒 9.国家主席


10.南北 11.山望着那山高 12.令我们热血沸腾 13.别听他们胡说八道 14.婚外恋 15.掌上明珠 16.懒虫 17.资本 18.休
息处 19.怀疑 20.蹲饭吃 21.教得很烂 22.拖后腿 23.找麻烦 24.原来如此 25.迷路了 26.无耻的女人 27.东施效颦
28.不切实际的幻想 29.不大可能 30.一群蚂蚁 31.人口超过12亿 32.网虫 33.夜猫子 34.海龟(归)派 35.情话 36.工
作狂 37.记在我的账上 38.挥金如土 39.这只表很贵 40.玩得很愉快 41.冒着大雨 42.演员休息室 43.感到痛 44.亚洲四
小龙 45.百里挑一 46.睡得晚 47.一饮而尽 48.去冒险 49.新郎新娘 50.去弄些水来 51.灰心 52.行业的前沿 53.如履薄
冰 54.一个舒适的家 55.点名 56.我的学习很忙 57.当二把手 58.几乎没有 59.戴绿帽子 60.站在...身旁 61.毫无价值
62.房间里有... 63.空话 64.死敌 65.名义上 66.信仰 67.感到羞耻 68.十字路口 69.逻辑主语 70.这是我们应该做的
71.您先请 72.布衣蔬食 73.红光满面 74.该吃晚饭了 75.跟着音乐跳舞 76.病情好多了 77.常给我写信 78.0比4的比分
79.有历史意义 80.经典 81.任何人 82.不感到兴奋 83.一个中国人 84.母狼 85.对...略知一二 86.成家 87.宁做鸡头,
不做凤尾 88.骄傲的公鸡 89.瘦得像猴子 90.望子成龙心切 91.矮小的房屋 92.爱发脾气 93.按捺激动的心情 94.眼红
95.白开水 96.把课本忘在家里了 97.半决赛 98.半饥半饱的 99.母语 100.奔75的人了

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101.笨鸟 102.笔误 103.口头表决 104.一条瘸腿 105.胃病 106.种子选手 107.把落下的课补上 108.交通繁忙 109.很


久以前 110.不要脸 111.擦亮眼睛 112.树上有两只麻雀 113.一块菜地 114.吃顿便饭 115.测量海水的深度 116.超级大
国 117.舞池 118.住处 119.淡茶 120.主谓一致 121.18栋楼4单元2号 122.有失身份 123.每个月的单号 124.大舌头的
人 125.人物 126.大路 127.打开思路 128.攒三聚五 129.从生下来一直到死 130.查字典 131.船厂 132.当心碰到脑
袋 133.鞋油 134.第三者 135.口误 136.三思而后行 137.口头禅 138.生命短暂而艺术永恒 139.过河莫忘搭桥人 140.
习惯成自然 141.上梁不正下梁歪 142.聊胜于无 143.忧愁伤身 144.完蛋了 145.穿一条裤子 146.资质平平 147.搬起石
头砸自己的脚 148.信口开河 149.八字还没一撇 150.给人当头泼凉水 151.鸡毛蒜皮的小事 152.软心肠 153.我们俩
154.平安无事 155.众口难调嘛 156.明日复明日,明日何其多 157.一日不见,如隔三秋 158.有情人终成眷属 159.多用耳
朵,少用嘴巴 160.人言可畏 161.五十步笑百步 162.一粒老鼠屎,坏了一锅汤 163.小人物,大人物 164.三个臭皮匠,顶
个诸葛亮 165.文人相轻 166.一个巴掌拍不响 167.江山易改,本性难移 168.酒肉朋友 169.白手起家 170.她的靠山
171.心里有数 172.被骂得狗血淋头 173.吹牛 174.别杞人忧天 175.拣了芝麻,丢了西瓜 176.魂不守舍 177.累断了腰
178.物以类聚 179.隔墙有耳 180.半途而废 181.最喜欢吃 182.猴年马月 183.请自重 184.从头至尾 185.隐形眼镜
186.月夜 187.天壤之别 188.被人笑话 189.张三李四 190.车速越来越快 191.本来面目 192.又打又拉 193.小菜一碟
194.背黑锅 195.支持你 196.素食者 197.杀鸡取卵 198.三言两语 199.鸡皮疙瘩 200.十之八九

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201.一层漆 202.牛钦 203.山穷水尽 204.贫富 205.大海捞针 206.极其喜爱的 207.失之东隅,收之桑榆 208.塞翁失


马,焉知非福 209.此地无银三百两 210.红糖

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211.红茶 212.三个和尚没水喝 213.人才流失 214.笑掉大牙 215.对牛弹琴 216.白马王子 217.红扑扑的脸 218.被罚了


100美元 219.挂羊头卖狗肉 220.像热锅上的蚂蚁

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221.想要认识格林先生 222.用“it”来作主语 223.用“it”来作宾语 224.结婚 225.跳舞迷 226.有多少人口 227.希望我的父


母长寿 228.红色的和白色的玫瑰花 229.若干,许多 230.一位很有经验的教师 231.假期从明天开始 232.很高兴接受你的
邀请 233.最好 234.错误显然是在你那一边 235.用电力照明 236.你是怎么认识他的 237.我从小就认识他 238.有自己的
一幢房子 239.我父亲的朋友 240.该校有三千名学生 241.希望全部破灭了 242.你有必要这样去做 243.囚犯的处死 244.
战争结束后 245.介词 after 246.集合名词 247.意义上的主语 248.原因 249.冠词的单数名词 250.一个舞会 251.这机
器要修理 252.以分数为主语 253.猫把家里的老鼠一扫而光 254.喝得大醉 255.问路 256.全家人 257.嫁给一个阔人
258.日暮途穷 259.服装不大入时 260.类比

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261.入不敷出 262.中国制造 263.投生于某家 264.青年 265.语气一致 266.骨瘦如柴 267.守口如瓶 268.沉鱼落雁,闭


月羞花 269.瓮中之鳖 270.稳健的货币政策 271.添油加醋 272.独生子女 273.情敌 274.弱肉强食是自然法则 275.科学
根据 276.蔬菜变黄了 277.洗钱 278.网恋 279.误把...当成... 280.教练车 281.训诫,说教 282.人的贪欲是个无底洞
283.许多观众 284.在报上 285.战争爆发 286.你认为...怎么样 287....如下 289.是...中最热心的 290.不要打扰他的工
作 291.首先 292.她脸黄黄的 293.收发信件 294.男男女女 295.病从口入 296.死猪不怕开水烫嘛 297.苦尽甘来 298.
详细地 299.从头到脚 300.困境之中 301.交际花 302.酒后之勇 303.笑得肚子都痛了 304.昙花一现 305.自己打自己的
嘴巴 306.生活有所提高 307.取得了很大成就 308.学知识 309.朝...瞄准 310.发表意见 311.强硬政策 312.省吃俭用
313.被风吹病了 314.茶树 315.淡季 316.大事 317.虚拟语气 318.拜年 319.第三产业 320.低调 321.恭喜发财 322.
口是心非 323.早恋 324.一刀切 325.一次性筷子 326.摇钱树 327.希望工程 328.无氟冰箱 329.水墨画 330.身体素质
差 331.神州行电话卡 332.股票上市 333.三角债 334.不能共患难的朋友 335.朦胧诗 336.不正之风 337.副教授 338.
站票 339.君子之交淡如水 340.虎父无犬子 341.这件事告诉我们 342.花茶 343.人的生活问题 344.特价品 345.竹制
品 346.行动 347.落汤鸡 348.面如土色 349.免费入场 350.母细胞和子细胞

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351.人和动物不同 352.烂醉如泥 353.以卵击石 354.天网恢恢,疏而不漏 355.掩面而泣 356.知道分寸 357.了解内幕


358.卷铺盖走人 359.目光相遇 360.伴君如伴虎 361.咬紧牙关 362.无米之炊 363.地道的美国人 364.易如反掌 365.截
然不同 366.铁公鸡 367.令他惊喜的礼物 368.“八”字 369.大概有三四个孩子 370.陪年迈的祖父去看电影 371.犯了一个
拼写错误 372.任何人都不得 373.主要特点 374.在艺术界 375.刷新以前的纪录 376.不要再费口舌了 377.引狼入室
378.坐冷板凳 379.死胡同 380.死不瞑目 381.善意的谎言 382.鬼迷心窍 383.嘴皮都磨破了 384.白吃白喝 385.中圈
套,眼中钉 386.昨天晚上 387.你今年多大了 388.产量逐年增加 389.坚持一切正确的东西 390.小说的作者 391.敬献花
圈 392.许多人受伤了 393.过去的状态 394.should + 动词原型 395.would rather后面跟从句时 396.would rather 后
接 have + 过去分词 397.客气的询问 398.你喜欢... 399.未来的教师 400.would you please do

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401.有价值的访问 402.那座寺庙值得一看 403.有价值的 404.他值得我们尊重 405.值得的 406.it is worth buying 的句


型 407.非常值得 408.你得容忍他 409.惊人的记忆力 410.be able to 411.摒弃旧习俗 412.1977年前后 413.我们正
要动身 414.大约八九岁 415.不做,不屑,不至于 416.从海外来 417.他在吗---不在 418.吸收知识 419.寻找住处 420.
由...陪同 421.自愿 422.依我看 423.达到了目标 424.认识 425.过河 426.干了件...事 427.行为 428.当前的一个问
题 429.国际事务 430.接待室 431.润色 432.比...有很大优点 433.广告 434.建议开车去 435. 病人 436.产生 437.
影响 438.容许 439.两个星期后 440.最后

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441.老教师 442.在晚年 443.批准 444.赞同 445.在某件事上同意某人的意见 446.助听器 447.达到目标 448.目的是做


一名教师 449.英国之行的目的 450.打算 451.空中 452.房间通风不好 453.安装了空调 454.两架飞机 455.相反 456.
外国人 457.相似的 458.都很疲劳 459.把它们都吃了 460.从...起,雨一直下个不停 461.所有的孩子 462.整个夏天
463.双亲 464.工农业生产 465.都没 466.不允许抽烟 467.几乎没有 468.几乎不... 469.几乎 470.独立工作 471.仅有
一棵树 472.准备好 473.改变 474.山高两千米 475.一起 476.不断地抓挠 477.一直帮助 478.我搞错了 479.漂亮的美
国小女孩 480.友好地

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481.介词 between 482.我们和他之间

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483.慰问团 484.误用add 485.足够的 486.花去的钱数额 487.数量随...增加 488.自己快乐 489.使人愉快 490.等等


491.对“事”生气 492.too...to do 结构 493.她是个忙人 494.法律宣布 495.任何一个人 496.有什么重要的内容吗 497.
比...其他任何人都 498.被...山景迷住了 499.他显得很伤心 500.不要以貌取人 501.无辜的面孔 502.apply oneself
to... 503.深感赞赏的 504.非常感谢你的厚意 505.非常感激 506.我从不赞成的 507.易于...的 508.一大笔钱 509.15分
钟 510.已经发生了困难 511.现代艺术 512.有审美力的 513.趁打折时买的 514.她是个明星 515.插座 516.我的女朋
友 517.办公室很宽敞 518.我有很多男性朋友 519.公寓大楼 520.地勤人员
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521.他很有趣 522.减价 523.是个好消息 524.一则重要的消息 525.医生 526.走着去大约只有十分钟的路 527.依...来


看 528.影响 529.我到了之后 530.两周后 531.在50岁时 532.有三年了 533.三年 534.不许抽烟 535.都说英语 536.
又花了三天时间 537.不胜感激 538.向乘客保证 539.出席 540.劣行

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541.打(篮)球

01.有他这颗扫帚星,什么事情都办不成。
[误] With a comet like him, nothing can be accomplished.
[正] With a jinx like him, nothing can be accomplished.

注:“扫帚星”是中国人对“慧星”(comet)的俗称,因其后面象拖着的一条像扫帚一样的长尾巴而得名。在中国古代,“扫帚
星”被认为是灾难的预兆,并被用来比喻不吉利的人或事;祸根:(person or thing that is thought to bring)bad luck
(to sb/sth);curse。英语的 comet 虽然没有这层含义,但却有一个对应的说法,即 jinx。 例:There's a jinx on/
Someone's put a jinx on this car: it's always giving me trouble. “这辆汽车上有什么妨人的东西,总给我找麻烦”。

02.萝卜青菜,各有所爱。
[误] Some prefer radish but others prefer cabbage.
[正] Tastes differ.

注:Tastes differ/vary 是句英语谚语,除此以外,原句还可翻译成:No dish suits all tastes. / You can never make
everyone happy. / All things fit not all persons. / Every man has his hobbyhorse[liking]. / Every man[one] to
his(own) taste. / It is difficult to cater for[to] all tastes. / It is hard to suit all tastes. / No dish suits all
tastes. / Some persons like to eat radishes, others prefer cabbages--people's tastes are various. / There is no
accounting for tastes. / There is no disputing about tastes. 等。《新概念英语》第三册第23课的标题是:One man's
meat is another man's poison.

03.他一向嘴硬,从不认错。
[误] He has always got a hard mouth and never admit a fault.
[正] He never says uncle.

注:say (cry) uncle: to give up or in; to surrender; to admit defeat. Mainly used by boys, as when fighting。主
要是男孩们打架时的用语,当一方想制服另一方时,就用命令的口气说:“Say uncle!”这时,有的孩子为了表示不服输,就是不
说。后来,say uncle 就成了“服输”的代名词,而 not say uncle 就相当于“嘴硬”了。

04.老师很喜欢这个嘴甜的小姑娘。
[误] The teacher likes this sweet-mouthed little girl very much.
[正] The teacher likes this honey-lipped little girl very much.

注:中国人喜欢说“嘴甜”,但 honey-lipped 更符合英美人的语言习惯。

05.同学们都很讨厌他,因为他经常拍老师的马屁。
[误] The student all dislike him because he often pats the teacher's ass.
[正] The students all dislike him because he often licks the teacher's boots.

注:以前在欧洲,臣民见到国王与王后往往要葡匐到在,亲吻他们的靴子。后来,人们将 lick the boots 引申为“为了某种目的


而讨好某人”,它与汉语的“拍马屁”含义一样。在美国英语中,“拍马屁”还有另一种说法,即 polish the apple,它典出以前的
学生用擦亮的苹果来讨好老师。
06.你听说了吗?迈克把他的女朋友给甩了。
[误] Have you ever heard that Mike broke up with his girlfriend.
[正] Have you ever heard that Mike dumped his girlfriend.

注:break up with sb. 虽然表示“与某人分手了”,但并没说明是谁先提出来的。而 dump 的原意指“倾倒垃圾”,用在这里则


表示像倒垃圾一样地甩掉。

07.我们要把祖国建设成为社会主义的现代化强国。
[误] We will build our motherland into a socialist modern powerful country.
[正] We will build our motherland into a modern powerful socialist country.

注:形容词作为修饰语在汉语和英语中都很常用,但使用的先后次序却有所不同。在英语中我们一般遵循“靠近原则”,即越能说
明本质属性的修饰词越靠近它所修饰的名词,当从这一点看不出区别时,就靠词的长短来决定,短的在前,长的在后。原文中最
能说明“国家”本质的定语是“社会主义的”,所以 socialist 要最靠近它所修饰的中心词。

08.我想要一点白酒。
[误] I'd like a little bit of white wine.
[正] I'd like a little bit of liquor.

注:汉语的“酒”可指任何酒,包括白酒、葡萄酒、啤酒,甚至米酒;但英语中则要分别用 liquor,wine,beer及 rice wine表示。


所以要注意,英语的wine与汉语的“酒”是有区别的,它仅指点葡萄酒。而且 red wine 是红葡萄酒,white wine 是白葡萄酒。

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09.中华人民共和国主席
[误] Chairman of the People's Republic of China
[正] President of the People's Republic of China

注:以前,我们一直将“主席”翻译为 chairman,例如:great leader Chairman Mao(伟大领袖毛主席)。其实“主席”与


chairman 并不等义,chairman 在英语中通常指会议或某一具体组织的负责人,它的权力和重要性不及中文的“主席”。这就是
为什么1983年,在我国《宪法》的英译单行本中开始使用 President一词,并沿用至今。另外,国内仍有不少词典把“班/级长
(学校的)”译为“class monitor”,这是“四人帮”时代的产物,那时的“班长”是专司监管学生的,所以译作“monitor”。而“班
长”的正确译文应该是“class president”。

10.转战南北
[误] fight south and north
[正] fight north and south

注:在地理方位的表达习惯上,中英文有一定的区别。中国人习惯于先“东西”后“南北”,而且在涉及“南北”时,习惯于先
说“南”,再说“北”,如:“南征北战”、“南来北往”等。而英美人与此正好相反,如“江苏在中国的东南部”英文是 Jiangsu is in
the south-east of China, 而“新疆在中国的西北部”应译为 Xinjiang is in the north-west of China。

11.人都是这山望着那山高,对自己的现状没有满意的时候。
[误] Almost all people think that the other mountain is higher than the one he's standing on. They never feel
saisfied with what they've already got.
[正] Almost all people think that the grass is greener on the other hill. They never feel saisfied with what
they've already got.

注:“这山望着那山高”是指人不满足于现状的心理,它在英语中已经有了现成的说法,即 the grass is greener on the other


hill(他山的草更绿),因此我们借用即可,这样既方便又更有利于与西方人沟通。

12.北京申奥成功的消息令我们热血沸腾。
[误] Beijing's winning the bid for the Olympics makes our blood boil.
[正] Beijing's winning the bid for the Olympics makes us excited.
注:make one's blood boil 是指“激怒某人”,而非“使人激动”。英语中“使人激动”的说法除了 make one excited,还有较为
口语化的 make one's spine tingle。

13.别听他们胡说八道,根本就没那回事。
[误] Don't listen to their babbling. Nothing of the sort.
[正] Don't be fooled by their babbling. Nothing of the sort.

注:原文中的“听”不能用 listen to 来表示,因为 listen to 指“听”的动作,而原文中的“别听”不是不让他“听”,而是劝告他“不


要听信”,因此,用 not be fooled by 才更达意。

14.我们这儿的人都觉得他有婚外恋。
[误] Pepple around here all feel that he has affairs outside his own marriage.
[正] Pepple around here all feel that he is leading a double life.

注:affair 本身就指“私通”或“暧昧关系”,当然是“婚外”的事,所以 outside one's own marriage 无疑是多此一举了。英语


中“有婚外恋”的地道说法应该是 lead a double life。

15.别看别人不把她当回事,在家里她可是父亲的掌上明珠。
[误] Although other people never take her seriousy, she is the pearl on her father's hand at home.
[正] Although other people never take her seriousy, she is the apple of her father's eye at home.

注:中英文常用不同的喻体表明相同的喻义,“掌上明珠”与 the apple of one's eye 就是一个很好的例子。这种情况我们一般


应尊重各国文化和习俗,翻译时取目的语的固定说法,而不必直译,这有助于将意思更有效地传达给读者。the apple of one's
eye 源自圣经《旧约》,当时人们用 apple 指人的瞳孔。尽管瞳孔现在已经用 pupil 来表示,不再是 apple 了,但这一用法却
延续了下来。

16.都十点钟了。起床了,懒虫!
[误] It's ten o'clock. Get up, lazy worm!
[正] It's ten o'clock. Get up, lazy bones!

注:“懒虫”并非真是一条虫,只不过被用来形容人很懒惰罢了。英语里与之对应的说法是 lazy bones(懒骨头)。注意,这里


的 bone 应以复数形式出现,也许是因为不会只有一根骨头懒吧!

17.我唯一的资本就是勤奋。
[误] My only capital is diligence.
[正] My only means to success is diligence.

注:原文的“资本”是借喻,实际指“可以依靠并取得成功的手段”。而英语的 capital 指 money used to produce more


wealth or for starting a business,并没有中文那样的引申意思。所以,这里的“资本”不能与 capital 画等号。也有人用
advantage 来翻译“资本”,虽然不尽意,但至少可以让读者理解。

18.这家商店开辟了休息处,受到顾客的称赞。
[误] This department store has set up a resting-place, much to the customers' appreciation.
[正] This department store has set up a lounge, much to the customers' appreciation.

注:英语的 resting-place 虽然有“休息处”的意思,但更经常的是用来指“坟墓”,即“最后安息之处”。因此,把公共场所的“休


息处”译为 resting-place 不很合适。也有人将它译为 rest-room,但那更不妥当,因为英语中的 rest-room 是“厕所”的委婉
说法,而“休息处”不是这个意思。

19.大家都怀疑汤姆是个间谍。
[误] Everyone doubts that Tom is a spy.
[正] Everyone suspects that Tom is a spy.

注:doubt 作“怀疑”讲,是“不相信”的意思;而 suspect 作“怀疑”讲,是指“对...有所察觉”。第一句译文犯了两个错误:首


先,doubt 不能接 that 从句,只有not doubt that 和 doubt if/whether;其次,它所表达的意思是“大家对汤姆是间谍这件
事表示怀疑”,即“大家不相信汤姆是间谍”,与原文的意思恰好相反。

20. 我们俩关系最好,他经常来我这儿蹲饭吃。
[误] We are best friends. He always comes here to have meals for free.
[正] We are best friends. He always comes here to bum meals off me.

注:第一句只表明“他常到我这儿来白吃白喝”,但朋友这间那种亲密关系没有体现出来。而 bum sth. off sb. 指向非常熟的朋


友要一些不起眼的小东西,而朋友也不会介意还不还。

21. 这个教授教得很烂。
[误] The professor teaches badly.
[正] The professor is so terrible.

注:有人认为第二句的意思是“这个教授很可怕”,其实不然。英语中 terible 意思很灵活,例如:feel terrible 指身体“不舒


服”; The food is terrible 则是说食物“难吃极了”。而第一句纯属中文式的表达。

22. 我希望你不要拖我的后腿。
[误] I hope that you won't pull my leg.
[正] I hope that you won't hold me back.

注:pull one's leg 是“愚弄某人,开某人的玩笑”的意思,相当于 make fun of sb.。英语中与“拖后腿”相对应的表达是 hold


sb. back 或 be a drag on sb. 等。

23. 学校里,那些长得人高马大的家伙常来找我的麻烦。
[误] At school, those big and strong guys always come to find my trouble.
[正] At school, those big and strong guys always come to pick on me.

注:find my trouble 是“发现我的难处”的意思,而英语中“找某人的麻烦”用短语 pick on sb. 它不仅表示“挑剔某人、找某人


的碴”,而且还包含 tease(取笑、戏弄)或 bully(威胁、欺侮)的意思。

24. 原来如此。一经你解释我就明白了。
[误] So it is. I understand soon after your explanation.
[正] So that's how it is. I understand soon after your explanation.

注:So it is 的意思是“的确如此”,它是用来表示对对方观点的赞同的。例如:
A: It is a fine day today!
B: So it is.
而在表达恍然大悟时,英文要用 So that's how it is 或 So that explains it, 或更简单地道的说法 Oh, I see.

25. 先生,您是不是迷路了?
[误] Hello, monsieur, get lost?
[正] Hello, monsieur, got lost?

注:这两句译文表面上看只是时态上存在差异,其实它们的含义也截然不同。get lost 是俚语:“走开,别捣乱”的意思,got


lost才是“迷路”。难怪当你友好地问外宾 "Get lost?"时,他并不领情呢!

Please see:
http://www.rainlane.com/dispbbs.asp?boardid=8&id=13364&star=1#65796

(1) get lost!: go away

"I wish he'd get lost and stop bothering me. I don't want to talk to him!"

---Dennis Oliver's Idioms:


http://www.eslcafe.com/idioms/id-g.html

(2) Get lost! INFORMAL


used to tell someone forcefully and quite rudely to go away:
Tell him to get lost!

(from Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary)


http://dictionary.cambridge.org/define.asp?dict=CALD&key=47316

(3)《英汉大词典》p.1055:
We got lost in the woods. 我们在森林中迷路了。

(4) 张道真《现代英语用法词典》p.820-821:
He lost his bearing(迷失方向)in the strange city.

(5) 在...中迷路,迷失在...
We were lost in the forest.
We are lost in the woods.

* lost one'e way 迷路


She had lost her way.
Don't lost your way in the storm.

(6)《汉英大词典》上海交大版;金山词霸2005:
均收录了 get lost 为“迷路”;而“金山词霸2005”把“get lost”和“got lost”均列为“迷路”。但都没有例句。

有关迷路的常见说法:
1) to get lost(常用)
I wouldn't have gotten lost, if I had asked for directions.
要是我问过路,就不至于迷路了。

2) to lost one's way(正式)


The child had lost his way.
那个小孩迷路了。

3) to take the wrong road(不常用)


Finally we found ourselves having taken the wrong road.
最后,我们发觉我们迷路了。

4) to go the wrong way(常用)


I am afraid we are going the wrong way.
恐怕我们走错路了。

5) so lose one's bearings(正式)


One might lose his bearings in an unfamiliar place.
一个人在不熟悉的地方最容易迷路。

6) can't find one's way(常用)


They went on in the desert until at last they couldn't find their way.
他们在沙漠里继续走,直到他们最后迷了路。

7) to stray(正式)
They strayed in the woods.
他们在森林中迷路了。

(to go astray:走入迷途,走上歧途)
Today I came across get lost in The Invisible Man ---H. G. Wells:
"I'm not trying to run away, I swear," protested Marvel tearfully. "I don't know these roads and I don't want
to get lost."
=================================================================

26. 我没料到这个无耻的女人居然同她好友的丈夫调情。
[误] I had not expected that this shameful woman should flirt with her best friend's husband.
[正] I had not expected that this shameless woman should flirt with her best friend's husband.

注:shameful 通常指某事物是“可耻的,丢脸的”,而 shameless 表示 having or showing no feeling of shame;


immodest or impudent,它一般用来指人“不知羞耻的,不要脸的”或“伤风败俗的”。原文也可译为:It's shameful that the
woman should flirt with her best friend's husband.

27. 东施效颦。
[误] Doingshi imitates Xishi.
[正] The ugly imitates the beautiful in such a distorted way that the ugliness of the ugly becomes worse.

注:把原文按照字面意思直译过来,恐怕只有中国人能够理解。要想让外国人明白这个中国成语,就要对译文进行解释性加工
了。同样,“情人眼里出西施”不是 Xishi is in the eye of the beholder,而是 Beauty is in the eye of the beholder。

28. 你不好好学习,还想去牛津上大学。这可真是个不切实际的幻想哟!
[误] You don't study hard, yet you want to go to Oxford. What an impractical illusion!
[正] You don't study hard, yet you want to go to Oxford. What an illusion!

注:汉语中的修饰语往往用的很多,目的在于加强语气,但这种表达习惯在翻译时必须进行处理。illusion 本身就有
impractical 的含义,而英语中在表意已经很明确的情况下是无需重复的。

29. 想让他答应这样的要求恐怕不大可能。
[误] I'm afraid it is impossible for him to agree to such a request.
[正] I'm afreaid it is unlikely for him to agree to such a request.

注:impossible 表示“完全不可能”,所以与原文有出入。在英语中,probable 表示的可能性最大,其次是 possible,再次是


likely。而常用的句式为 it is probable/possible/likely for sb. to do sth.,或 sb. be likely to do sth.。

30. 一群蚂蚁
[误] a group of ants
[正] a colony of ants

注:表示群体时,group 通常指人或物,而 colony 才指生物群体。

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The term Chinglish is a fusion of the "Chin" from Chinese and the "glish" from English. Chinglish is not a racist
or bigoted term and should not be taken as such. If anything, The Chinglish Files are a way of poking fun at
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31. 最近的人口统计显示中国人口已超过12亿。
[误] The latest census shows that China's population has surpassed 1.2 billion.
[正] The latest census shows that China's population exceeds 1.2 billion.

注:surpass 和 exceed 译成中文虽然都是“超过,胜过”的意思,但出现具体数字时要用后者。

32. 我每天都要在网吧里呆上10个小时,是个不折不扣的网虫。
[误] I spend 10 hours in the net bar every day, and I am indeed a net bug.
[正] I spend 10 hours in the net bar every day, and I am indeed a netter.

注:“网虫”要是直译成 net bug,很容易使人联想到计算机病毒,如:the millennium bug(“千年虫”病毒)。所以,英语中


与之相应的说法是 netter/nettle。在《剑桥国际英语词典》里,对 netter/nettle 的解释是:regular user of Internet,
perhaps one who spends too much time in this occupation。nethead 和“网虫”的意思差不多,它表示“网痴,网迷”;
而 netizen 则可以用来指所有的网民,尤其是互联网的用户,它是由 net(网络)和 citizen(公民)组合而成的。还有一个时
髦的词是 netsurfer,即“网上冲浪者”。

33. 每次考试来临的时候,约翰就变成了一只夜猫子,但这并不是一个好的学习方法。
[误] John becomes a night cat every time the examination is coming. However, this is not a good way to learn.
[正] John becomes a night owl every time the examination is coming. However, this is not a good way to learn.

注:owl 是“猫头鹰”的意思,即一种深夜不睡,睁一只眼,闭一只眼,准备随时捕捉田鼠的动物。英语中用 night owl 来比喻经


常熬夜的人,就像我们习惯用“夜猫子”一样。不论叫你“夜猫子”还是 a night owl,“开夜车”(burn the midnight oil)总是免
不了的。

34. 现如今,由于出国深造的人越来越多,“海龟(归)派”也不像原来那样吃香了。
[误] Nowadays as more and more people study abroad, the overseas students are not so popular as before.
[正] Nowadays as more and more people study abroad, the returnees are not so popular as before.

注:“海龟(归)派”是指那些在国外留学以后又回来的人,是个非常形象的新名词。但 overseas student 是指正在国外学习


的“留学生”,意思正好相反,所以要换成 returnee。这个词本身就包含在海外学习过的意思。

35. 在皎洁的月光下,那个花花公子在我耳边悄悄说着情话。
[误] The playboy whispered love words to my ear with a bright moon in the sky.
[正] The playboy whispered sweet nothings to my ear with a bright moon in the sky.

注: 因为“情书”是 love letter,“情歌”是 love song,所以不少人以为“情话”就应该是 love words,其实并非如此。英语


中“情话”常用 lovers'prattle 或 sweet nothings 来表达。prattle 有“孩子话,废话”的意思,所以 lovers' prattle 指“恋人之
间孩子气的废话”;sweet nothings 更是一目了然,有“甜蜜而不中用”的意思。

36. 比尔.盖茨平均每天工作15个小时,他简直就是一个工作狂。
[误] Bill Gates works 15 hours a day on average, and he is crazy about his work.
[正] Bill Gates works 15 hours a day on average, and he is a workaholic.

注: crazy 虽然可以作“疯狂的,狂热的”讲,但 be crazy about/on sth. 的意思却是“热衷于...,对...着迷”;be crazy for


也不行,因为它表示“渴望(某物);迷恋(某人)”。可见,它们都与“工作狂”有一定区别。而 workaholic 是从 alcoholic
(嗜酒成癖者)派生出来的,表示像酗酒者离不开酒精一样地离不开工作。现在人们将 -holic 作为一个后缀,表示“对...上瘾,
嗜好...成癖”,并构成了许多新词。例如:movie-holic(嗜好电影成癖的人),telehokic(看电视成癖的人)等。

37. 给这们女士来杯威士忌,记在我的账上。
[误] Whisky for this lady, and put it on my bill.
[正] Whisky for this lady, and put it on my tab.

注: 我们可以说 Could we have the bill, please? (请给我们账单好吗?)或 pay the bill(埋单),但“记在某某的账
上”却不用 bill,而要用 put...on one's tab 表示。tab 是“小纸片”的意思,因为过去小店的生意都是靠住在附近的老主顾,赊
账时有发生,于是老板们通常把每个人的赊账情况记在各自的小纸片上,也就是 put...on one's tab,以防遗忘。渐渐地,该词
组就成了一种习惯用法。

38. 哈罗得挥金如土,没有一点积蓄。
[误] Harold spends money like dirt, and has no savings.
[正] Harold spends money like water, and has no savings.

注: 英国是一个岛国,离不开水;而我们中国的许多地区深处内陆,人们的生活离不开土地。所以,英语中有许多习语与“水”有
关,而汉语却常常拿“土”作比。这就是为什么同样是比喻花钱浪费,大手大脚,英语是 spend money like water,而汉语却
是“挥金如土”。此外,英语中还有很多有关船和水的习语,例如:rest on one's oars(暂时歇一歇),keep one's head
above water(奋力图存),be all at sea(不知所措)等等。

39. 这只表的价钱很贵。
[误] The price of the watch is dear.
[正] The watch is dear. /The price of the watch is high.

注: 以物品为主语时用 dear 或 cheap,以定价为主语时就说 high 或 low.

40. 昨天晚上我们玩得很愉快。
[误] We played very pleasantly last night.
[正] We enjoyed ourselves very much last night./ We had a good time last night.

注: 玩牌,打球,演戏之类就用 play,汉语这儿说的玩是指度过一个愉快的时候,最好译成 enjoy oneself 或 have a good


time.

41. 她和男朋友吵了一架,冒着大雨跑了出去。
[误] She quarreled with his boyfriedn and ran out in the big rain.
[正] She quarreled with his boyfriedn and ran out in the heavy rain.

注: 汉语中的“大”可以修饰很多名词,如“大风”、“大浪”、“湿气大”等,但在英语里却不能一一对应。例如,“大雨”就不能译成
big rain,因为那会被人误以为是雨点大,而不是雨大。英美人形容雨大习惯用“重”(heavy),heary rain(大雨),heavy
clouds(云雾大),heavy moisture(潮气大)等,这也许是因为他们认为有些事物用重量来衡量比用体积更好吧。

42. 歌迷们冲进演员休息室,抢着同凯莉.米纳合影。
[误] The fans rushed into the rest room trying to take photos with Kylie Minogue.
[正] The fans rushed into the greenroom trying to take photos with Kylie Minogue.

注: 伦敦西区的特鲁街剧院是英国最古老的剧院,据说为了让演员们长时间处于舞台强烈灯光照射下的眼睛得到休息,那里的演
员休息室被漆成了绿色。后来,greenroom 就逐渐成了“(剧场)演员休息室”的代名词。而 rest room 可不是这个意义上
的“休息室”,它其实是“厕所”的一种委婉说法。

43. 我感到很痛。
[误] I am painful.
[正] I feel great pain.

注:“我感到高兴”是 I am happy,“我感到累了”是 I'm tired,但“我感到很痛”却不是 I am painful。因为 painful 表示“使


人痛苦的,让人疼痛或讨厌的”,它的主语往往不是人,而是事物或人体的某个部位,如:The foot is painful(脚痛),The
lessons are painful(教训是惨痛的)等。所以没有 I am painful 这个说法,如果你非要这样说,别人会以为你全身带电或浑
身长刺,别人碰了你就会疼,是你让别人痛苦,而不是你自己痛苦。
44. 亚洲四小龙。
[误] the Four Little Dragons of Asia
[正] the Four Little Tigers of Asia

注: 在我国古代传说中,龙是降雨和惩治妖魔鬼怪的神奇动物,是吉祥和力挽狂澜的象征。很多汉语成语与“龙”有关,如“龙飞
凤舞”、“龙凤呈祥”、“藏龙卧虎”等,而且多为褒义词。但如果把“四小龙”直译成英文却不行,因为西方人对“龙”的联想和看法与
中国人完全不同。“龙”(dragon)在西方是贬义词,是邪恶的免征,西方人不会理解为什么要把亚洲经济的四个强国说成“四个小
魔鬼”,所以要用 tiger 进行替换。在西方人眼里,tiger “是朝气蓬勃、坚忍不拔、努力奋斗、充满希望”的免征,所以用 tiger
才能准确表达原文的意思。

45. 百里挑一。
[误] one in a hundred
[正] one in a thousand

注: “百里挑一”常被用来形容“很特别,很出众”或“与众不同”,one in a thousand 也有相同的含义。但值得注意的是,汉语


用“百”,而英语则以十倍于百的 thousand 来夸张。同样,汉语的“十分感谢”或“万分感谢”,英语则说 a thousand thanks
(千分感谢)或 thanks a million times(百万次的感谢)。可见,英语比汉语要夸张。这也许反映了两个民族不同的思维方
式:中国人崇尚中庸之道,凡事避免走极端,即使夸大其词也不太过火;而英美人追求标新立异和充分考虑表现自我,这在语言
中自然也有体现。

46. 周末许多人睡得很晚。
[误] Many people sleep late at weekends.
[正] Many people go to bed very late at weekends.

注: 第一句译文错在没弄懂 sleep 的真正含义。英语动词有短暂动词和持续动词之分,它们分别表示短暂动作和持续的动作或


状态。sleep 是典型的持续动词,表示“在睡觉”。而汉语的“睡”既可表示“上床睡觉”的短暂动作,如:我昨天11点才睡;也可以
表示“在睡觉”的持续动作和状态,如:他睡了整整10个小时。原文属于前一种情况,即表示“上床睡觉”的短暂动作,故应该使
用 go to bed。

47. 干杯!要一饮而尽。
[误] ---Cheers! Bottom up.
[正] ---Cheers! Bottoms up.

注: bottoms up 虽然只比 bottom up 多一个 s,但是两个词组的意思却相差十万八千里。bottoms up 里的 bottom 是


指“(酒杯的)底部”,那么杯朝天就是“一饮而尽”的意思,而且因为干杯时肯定不止一人一饮而尽,所以要用复数;而 bottom
up 表示“屁股朝天”。

48. 这个任务很危险,但总得有人去冒险。
[误] The task is really dangerous. But someone has to take the adventure.
[正] The task is really dangerous. But someone has to bell the cat.

注: adventure 指军事历险、探险旅行等惊险活动或投机活动。而 bell the cat 源自一个故事:一窝老鼠想在猫脖子上套一个


铃铛,这样猫一来他们就会听到,并及时逃命。但主意虽好,却苦于没人去套这个铃铛(bell the cat)。后来,bell the cat
被人们反复引用,表示“为大家的事去承担风险”,并成了表示原文意思最贴切的英语习语。

49. 一辆白色轿车前来接新郎新娘去教堂。
[误] A white car turned up to take the groom and the bride to the church.
[正] A white car turned up to take the bride and the groom to the church.

注: 汉英两种语言均有各自固定的词序,因此,在翻译时要根据各自的语言习惯进行适当的调整,此处就是一个很好的例子。之
所以将新娘放在前面,也许是西方文化中“女士优先”的又一体现吧!又如:“衣食住行”译成英语是 food, clothing, shelter
and transportation; 同样,“左顾右盼”翻译成 look right and left。

50. 你去弄些水来。
[误] Go and bring some water.
[正] Go and fetch some water.
注: bring 虽然表示“带来”,但它是让某人在来的时候将某物带来(但说话时人还没来);而 fetch 则是让身边的某人“去取某
物”,它包括往返的两段路程。

51. 嘿,小伙子,千万别灰心。
[误] Hey, lad, don't lose your heart.
[正] Hey, lad, don't lose heart.

注: lose one's heart (to sb.) 是“心被...俘虏去,爱上...”的意思,而 lose heart 才表示“灰心丧气,丧失勇气或信心”。

52. IBM公司一直处在电脑行业的前沿。
[误] IBM is always in the front line of computer industry.
[正] IBM is always at the cuttting edge of computer insustry.

注: front line 是“前线,第一线”的意思,常指最危险或最艰苦的地方。例如:Many doctors are in the front line of the


fighting against SARS(许多医生战斗在抗击“非典”的第一线)。at the cutting edge 最早出现在20世纪50年代,它最初
指“锐器的锋利部位”,现在常隐喻“处在(高科技的)最前沿。

53. 一位有经验的教师曾经说,上课之前他觉得如临大敌,上课时他是如履薄冰,只有上完课后他才会如释重负。
[误] An experienced teacher once said that before class he felt as if faced with a formidable enemy, in class he
felt like walking on ice, and only after class would he feel relieved.
[正] An experienced teacher once said that before class he felt as if faced with a formidable enemy, in class he
felt like walking on eggs, and only after class would he feel relieved.

注: 中文的“如履薄冰”是比喻一个人“做事十分小心谨慎或战战兢兢”,而英语的类似说法却是 walk on eggs 或 tread on


eggs,要注意中英文喻体的不同。

54. 我有一个舒适的家。
[误] I have a cozy family.
[正] I have a cozy home.

注: family 和 home 虽然翻译成汉语时都是“家”,但它们在英语中却不是同义词。family 主要指家庭成员;而 home 主要指


居住地,即“住宅”。原文中用“舒适的”来修饰“家”,显然是指“舒适的房子”。如果原文是“我有一个和睦的家”,就应该翻译成 I
have a harmonious family 了。

55. 每节课老是都会点名。
[误] The teacher will call our names in every period of class.
[正] The teacher will call the roll in every period of class.

注: 英语的“点名”是 call the roll,而 call one's name(s)的意思是“谩骂某人”。rool 有“名册”的意思,又如:remove


sb.'s name from the rool(把某人除名)。

56. 我的学习很忙。
[误] My study is very busy.
[正] I am very busy with my study.

注:第一句译文完全套用汉语的结构和语序,却犯了英文的句法错误。因为在英语中,study(学习)是一个行为,并不懂得忙
不忙,感到忙的应是进行这一行为的人。所以,be busy with sth. 或 be busy (in) doing sth. 才是地道的英语表达。

57. 给他当二把手我看也值得。他太能干了。
[误] I feel it worth being a second hand to him. He is so capable.
[正] I feel it worth playing second fiddle to him. He is so capable.

注:英语的 second hand 作名词指“中间人”、“旧货”或“助手工人”,而汉语的“二把手”是“副手”,即“第二负责人”的意思,所


以二者不是一回事。play second fiddle 则源于管弦乐队中第一提琴手(first violin)不在的时候由第二提琴手负责,并被人
们引申为“当主要领导人的副手”,也就是我们所说的“当第二把手”。由此,不难猜出“当一把手”译成英语应该是 paly first
fiddle了。

58. 电车上十分拥挤,几乎没有立足之地。
[误] The tram was so crowded that there was hardly sufficient room for you.
[正] The tram was so crowded that there was scarcely sufficient room for you.

注:副词 hardly 和 scarcely 虽然都含有“几乎不”等否定含义,有些时候也可以互换,如:I could hardly/scarcely


recognize her(我几乎认不出她来了),但仍有细微的差异。如在强调数量“不足”时只能用 scarcely,这时它常与 enough、
sufficient等词连用。

59. 他被戴上了绿帽子。
[误] He is made to wear a green hat.
[正] He is a cuckold.

注:中文的“戴绿帽子”是指某人之妻与他人私通,但直译成英文西方人只会按字面意思理解为“某人头上被戴了顶绿色的帽子”,
无论如何也不会理解汉语的喻义。而英语的 cuckold 是指“奸妇的丈夫”(a man whose wife deceives him by having a
sexual relationship with another man),所以用 be a cuckold 才能正确表达原文的意思。

60. 我在新闻片里看到你站在总裁的身旁。
[误] I saw you stand by the president in the newsreel.
[正] I saw you stand beside the president in the newsreel.

注:stand by someone 的意思是“支持某人”(to support someone);to stand beside someone 才是“立于某人旁


边”(to stand by the side of someone)。但是,如果 stand by 后面的宾语不是人,那倒是可以与 stand beside 互换,
表示“在...之旁”,例如:Their house stands by a forest(他们的房子在森林旁边)。除此之外,stand by 还有“袖手旁
观”之意,例如:How can you stand by and watch while your allies are attacked?(当你们的盟友受到攻击时,你们怎
能袖手旁观呢?)

61. 那本书毫无价值可言。
[误] That book is invaluable.
[正] That book is valueless.

注:invaluable 和 valueless 一个是在形容词 valuable(有价值的)之前加上否定形容词前缀 in-;另一个是在名词 value


(价值)的后面加上否定形容词 -less,但它们的意思却刚好相反。invaluable 是指“非常贵重的,无价的”(highly
valuable, precious),其同义词是 priceless;valueless 的意思却是“毫无价值的”,相当于 worthless。现将这两个词用在
同一个句子中,以便区别:The book that he considered valueless proved invaluable to us(他认为毫无价值的那本书
对我们来说却是无价之宝)。

62. 房间里有一张床、两张桌子和五把椅子。
[误] There are one bed, two desks and five chairs in the room.
[正] There is one bed, two desks and five chairs in the room.

注:there be 句型中,be 动词的单复数取决于离它最近的那个词。原文虽然一共列举了八件家具,但是根据英语的谓语就近原


则,one bed 决定了应该使用 is。

63. 我不想听他那些空话。
[误] I don't want to hear his empty words.
[正] I don't want to hear his hollow words.

注:虽然 empty 和 hollow 都有“空洞的”之意,但表达“空话”时,英语习惯用 hollow words 或 empty talk。

64. 他是我们的死敌。
[误] He is our dead enemy.
[正] He is our deadly enemy.
注:dead 作形容词时表示“死的,无感觉的”,而 deadly 才表示“致命的,不共戴天的”。

65. 奥斯本名义上是个医生,但他整天都呆在股票交易所里。
[误] Osborne is a doctor by name only, but he stays in the stock exchange all day long.
[正] Osborne is a doctor in name only, but he stays in the stock exchange all day long.

注:by name 和 in name 虽然形似,但涵义却有区别。by name 相当于 by the name of,常放在专有名词之后,表示所说


的人或事物的确实名称。例如:There was a great poet in China, Qu Yuan by name(中国有个伟大的诗人,名叫屈
原)。而 in name 是贬义词,表示“名义上的”或“徒有虚名”。

66. 我们是不信上帝的。
[误] We do not believe God.
[正] We do not believe in God.

注:believe 和 believe in 虽然都有“相信”的意思,但表示“信仰”的时候只能用后者。

67. 你做这样的事难道不感到羞耻吗?
[误] Aren't you ashamed for doing such a thing?
[正] Aren't you ashamed of doing such a thing?

注:be ashamed for 一般是指“对他人的行为或外在事物感到羞耻”,而 be ashamed of 则是“由于自己的所作所为而感到羞


耻”。

68. 车祸发生在十字路口。
[误] The accident took place at a crossroad.
[正] The accident took place at a crossroads.

注:crossroad 是“交叉路,横马路”的意思,而 crossroads 才是“十字路”或“十字路口”,它前面也可以用 a,但 -s 绝不能丢


掉。

69. 要学好英语,大量的练习是必要的。
[误] To learn English well, a great deal of practice is necessary.
[正] To learn English well, one needs to have a great deal of practice.

注:英语中非谓语动词的逻辑主语要与句子的主语一致,本例句中不定式 to learn English well 的逻辑主语应该是“人”,而句


子的主语却是 practice,两者不相一致,违背了英语习惯,所以必须将句子的主语改为 one,并做其它相应的调整。

70. ---谢谢你带我们到办公室来。
---不用谢,这是我们应该做的。
[误] ---Thank you for guiding us to the office.
---Not at all, it's my duty.

[正] ---Thank you for guiding us to the office.


---Not at all, it's a pleasure. /I'm glad to be of help.

注:汉语的回答实际上是句客套话,如果把它直译为 It's my duty,就会让西方人误以为你并不想帮他,只是因为职责才不得


已而为之,这与汉语的愿意有很大出入。所以,恰当的回答应该是 I'm glad to be of help 或 It's a pleasure,其意思是“我
很乐意为您效劳”。

71. 车来了。您先请。
[误] Here comes the car. You go first, please.
[正] Here comes the car. After you.

注:第一句译文虽然把“请”翻译出来了,但还是带有命令的口吻。地道的说法应该是 After you。另外,不少人以为汉语


的“请”等同于英语的 please,其实并非如此。例如,在餐桌上请人吃菜或喝酒就不用 please,地道的说法是 Help yourself。
72. 布衣蔬食。
[误] cotton clothes and vegetables
[正] coarse clothes and simple fare

注:“布衣蔬食”是形容一个人生活俭朴,但直译成英文却会令人难以理解。因为现在的英、美等国,cotton clothes and


vegetables(棉布衣服和青菜)已没有“生活俭朴”的任何联想了,它们早已成了富翁们的最爱,而且价格也比其他产品贵,没钱
人还享用不起呢!而第二句译文不仅忠实于原文,而且 fare 一词作“食物”讲还略带古色,恰好反映出了原文的风格。

73. 你真是红光满面。
[误] Your face is all red.
[正] You are in ruddy health.

注:“红光满面”是说一个人身体很好,而 You face is all red 则指对方满脸通红,似乎“不好意思”或“牌窘境”,皮肤过敏也未


可知,总之与原句不符。a ruddy complexion 虽然有“面色红润”的意思,但没能充分表达出汉语“身体健康,精力充沛”的意
思。当然,除了第二句译文,还可以用 You look so healthy and full of pep 或 You look the very picture of health
and energy 来表达。

74. 你该吃晚饭了。
[误] It's time to eat your dinner.
[正] It's time to have your dinner.

注:不是所有的“吃”字都能翻译为英语 eat 的,英语中有许多固定搭配,如:take one's medicines(吃药);lead an idle


life(吃闲饭);be very popular(吃香);I had some meat for lunch(午餐我吃了些肉)等。eat:“进餐”,在英国不
常用,但在美国却常见。例如:
Eat your dinner.
He ate his breakfast quickly, then ran up to his room again.

75. 我们一起跟着音乐跳舞吧!
[误] Let's dance with the music.
[正] Let's dance to the music.

注:英语一般说 dance with sb.,即“跟某人一起跳舞”,“音乐”是无生命的东西,怎么能跟它 dance 呢?这里正确的说法是用


介词 to。又如:sing to the piano 等。

76. 他的病情好多了。
[误] His sick condition is much better.
[正] His condition is much better.

注:在英美人看来,sick 只是一种无意义的重复,因为去掉它以后意思一亲清楚,而且还更地道。我们甚至可以更简单地翻译
为 He is much better。

77. 经常给我写信。
[误] Write letters to me often.
[正] Write to me often.

注:中文动宾结构的宾语在翻译成英文时常常省略,因为这些英语动词本身已经包含了中文宾语的意思,不言自明,除非需要强
调,否则可以省略,不省略反而与英语习惯不符。上面的例句就是个很好的例子。又如:“你会唱歌吗”(Can you sing);“我
会付钱给你”(I'll pay you);“他花很多时间读书”(He spends a lot of time reading)等。

78. 挑战者以0比4的比分输了与冠军队的那场比赛。
[误] The challengers lost the game by zero to four to the champion.
[正] The challengers lost the game by nil to four to the champion.

注:zero 和 nil 虽然都可以表示“零”,但 zero 多用于电话号码或邮政编码,而 nil 则特指比赛的比分。同样,0比0就应该翻译


成 nil to nil。

79. 在一次具有历史意义的表决中,北京羸得了申办奥运会的机会。
[误] In a historical vote, Beijing won the bid for the Olympics.
[正] In a historic vote, Beijing won the bid for the Olympics.

注:historic 表示“历史上著名的,有历史意义的”,而 historical 则表示“有关历史的,历史学的”。

80. 你读没读过菲尔丁的经典长篇小说《汤姆.琼斯》?
[误] Have you ever read Fielding's classical novel Tom Jones?
[正] Have you ever read Fielding's classic novel Tom Jones?

注:classic 即可作形容词,表示“经典的,第一流的”,又可作可数名词,表示“经典作品”;而 classical 却是一个没有比较级和


最高级的形容词,常指“(建筑,文学,音乐等方面)古典的,传统的”。

81. 未经允许,任何人不得入内。
[误] Anybody can not come in without permission.
[正] Nobody can come in without permission.

注:“任何......都不”是汉语中常用字的否定句式,而在英语中,any 构成的合成词及其所修饰的词语作主语时,谓语动词是不能
用否定形式的。因此,any ... not 的用法不符合英语的表达习惯,须用“否定形式的主语+肯定形式的谓语”替换。但是,any
构成的合成词及其所修饰的词语作主语时,如果带有后置定语,那么其谓语也可以用否定形式。如:Anyone who does that
isn't honest(干那种事的人都是不诚实的)。

82. 听到这个消息,没有一个人不感到兴奋。
[误] Having heard the news, nobody did not feel excited.
[正] Having heard the news, everybody felt excited.

注:汉语中把主、谓语同时否定以表示肯定,但这不符合英语习惯,所以 nobody...not 的结构在英语中是不正确的。翻译这类


句子时,可像上面正确的译文那样,把主语和谓语都改成肯定形式;也可用“there be + 否定的主语 + 否定形式的定语从句”来
表达,即:There was nobody who did not feel excited 或者 There was nobody but felt excited.

83. 我是一个中国人。
[误] I am a Chinese.
[正] I am Chinese.

注:第一句译文是不地道的,正确的说法应该去掉不定冠词,或者说 I am a Chinese man。同样,He is an English 也没有


He is English 或 He is an Englishman 好。

84. 母狼为了保护幼崽同猎豹展开了殊死的搏斗。
[误] The female wolf fights against the leopard so as to protect her whelps.
[正] The she wolf fights against the leopard so as to protect her whelps.

注:汉语一般用“公”、“母”或“雌”、“雄”来区分动物的性别,而英语中,有一部分动物是雌雄各有其名,例如:cock(公鸡)和
hen(母鸡),stag(雄鹿)和 doe(雌鹿)等;而另一部分则是用 male 和 female 加以区分,如:male leopard(公
豹),female panda(母熊猫)等;当然,也有例外的情况,如:bull elephant(公象)和 cow elephant(母象),he
wolf(公狼)和 she wolf(母狼)等。

85. 使我高兴的是,我儿子对意大利语也略知一二。
[误] To my joy, my son know a thing or two about Italian.
[正] To my joy, my son knows something about Italian.

注:有些英语词语在字面上同汉语十分相似,但实则貌合神离,如果不求甚解很容易出错。例如,know a thing or two 就不


表示“略知一二”,而是“很有经验,精明强干”的意思。
86. 你希望什么时候成家呢?
[误] When do you want to start a family?
[正] When do you want to get married?

注:中文的“成家”是“结婚”的意思,而英文 start a family 的含义却是“生第一个孩子”,二者完全不是一回事。

87. 宁做鸡头,不做凤尾。
[误] Better be the head of a cock than the tail of a phoenix.
[正] Better be the head of a dog than the tail of a lion.

注:每种语言中都有许多约定俗成的表达,没有什么道理好讲,但使用时则需遵照各自的语言习惯。中文是“鸡头”和“凤尾”比,
而英语中却要用“狗头”和“狮尾”。

88. 海伦就像一只骄傲的公鸡,从来不爱搭理别人。
[误] Helen is proud as a cock, and she never talks to others.
[正] Helen is proud as a peacock, and she never talks to others.

注:“孔雀”在中国人眼里是美丽和吉祥的象征,而公鸡因为常把头昂得高高地,尾巴翘到了天上,摆出一副盛气凌人的架子,因
此成了“骄傲”的化身。但西方文化不注重孔雀美丽的一面,认为它们很骄傲,所以英美人在形容一个人骄傲、狂妄和爱慕虚荣
时,就把他(她)比作 peacock。

89. 因为没有吃的,那个索马里的小男孩瘦得像猴子。
[误] That Somali boy is as thin as a monkey because of the lack of food.
[正] That Somali boy is as thin as a shadow because of the lack of food.

注:同一事物,在不同的文化里可能引起不同的联想,具有不同的内涵。所以,在一种语言中用这种事物作比喻,而在另一种语
言中很可能会有不同的表达。这样的例子中英文还有很多,例如:as timid as a hare(胆小如鼠),as strong as a horse
(力大如牛),as poor as a church mouse(一贫如洗)等。

90. 索菲娅望子成龙心切,给儿子报名参加了许多补习班。
[误] Sophia hopes to see her son become a dragon, therefore she enters his name for many classes of
supplementary schooling.
[正] Sophia hopes that her son will have a bright future, therefore she enters his name for many classes of
supplementary schooling.

注:“龙”在中国人心目中象征着神圣和万能,但在西方人的印象中却是可怕的,《圣经》里就把“龙”描述成了罪恶的象征。所以
在翻译“望子成龙”时需要意译。

91. 由于街道的扩建,道路两旁矮小的房屋全部被拆除了。
[误] The short and small houses on both sides of the road have been demolished due to its widening.
[正] The low and small houses on both sides of the road have been demolished due to its widening.

注:英语中,形容人或树等的高矮要用形容词 tall 和 short;但是指山峦、房屋或其它建筑物的高矮,我们通常用 high 和


low。

92. 爸爸总爱发脾气。
[误] Dad always likes losing his temper.
[正] Dad is apt to lose his temper.

注:like doing something 表示“喜欢干某事”,一般用来说明某人的兴趣爱好;而 be apt to do sth.则表示“常常发生某种行


为”或“容易发生某种变化”。根据原文的意思显然应该用后者。

93. 欧文按捺不住激动的心情,大声喊道:“我中奖了!”
[误] Owen couldn't hold back his exciting feeling, and he shouted, "I've got the winning number in the bond!"
[正] Owen couldn't hold back his excitement, and he shouted, "I've got the winning number in the bond!"
注:exciting feeling 这种搭配很不地道,虽然“振奋人心的消息”是 exciting news,“有趣的故事”是 interesting story,
但“激动的心情”却要用名词形式 excitement 来表达。

94. 丹尼斯自己不努力,还老是眼红别人的成就。
[误] Denis himself doesn't work hard, however, he is always red-eyed of other people's achievements.
[正] Denis himself doesn't work hard, however, he is always green-eyed of other people's achievements.

注:中国人说一个人嫉妒用“眼红”,但英美人则用“眼绿”来形容。英语的 green 除了表示颜色之外还有“嫉妒”的意思,又如:I


was absolutely green (with envy) when I saw his splendid new car(我看到他那辆漂亮的新车非常眼红)。其实,英
语中许多表示色彩的词汇都有特殊的含义,不能照字面去理解。再比如:He gave me a black look(他恶狠狠地蹬了我一
眼);She visits us once in a blue moon(她难得来看我们一次)等。

95. 夏天要多喝白开水。
[误] You should drink more white boiled water in summer.
[正] You should drink more plain boiled water in summer.

注:“白开水”不是指“水的颜色是白色”,而是指“水中没有添加其他的东西”。而 plain 正是指“没掺杂其他东西的,单纯的”,所


以能确切表达原文的含义。

96. 对不起,我把课本忘在家里了。
[误] Sorry, I forgot my textbook at home.
[正] Sorry, I left my textbook at home.

注:原文中的“忘”是指“落在家里”的意思,不能翻译成英文的 forget,而应用表示“把...留在某地,丢下,落下”等的意思的
leave。

97. 中国足球队击败了日本队,从而取得了参加半决赛的资格。
[误] The Chinese football team beat the Japanese team, and is qualified to play in the half-finals.
[正] The Chinese football team beat the Japanese team, and is qualified to play in the semifinals.

注:semi- 是英语里的一个前缀,表示“半”,例如:automatic 是“自动的”,那么 semiautomatic 就表示“半自动的”;


diameter 指“直径”,那么 semi-diameter 就指“半径”;monthly 指“月刊”,那么 semi-monthly 就表示“半月刊”。以上这
些都跟 semifinal(半决赛)一样,是约定俗成的。

98. 在自然灾害期间,绝大多数人都过着半饥半饱的生活。
[误] During the natural calamity, most people were half hungry, half full.
[正] During the natural calamity, most people were underfed.

注:under- 是一个英语前缀,表示“......不足的”,如:underdeveloped(经济发展不充分的),underage(未到法定年龄
的)等。所以,underfeed 表示“未喂饱的,食物不足的”。汉语中“半......半......”的结构可以翻译成 half...half...,例如:
As for this matter, I am half-believing, half-doubting(对于这件事我是半信半疑的);This composition is half
literary, half vernacular(这篇文章写得半文不白的)。

99. 汉语是我们的母语。
[误] Chinese is our mother language.
[正] Chinese is our mother tongue.

注:tongue 除了指“舌头”,还可以用来指“语言,方言”,如 the Spanish tongue 并非指“西班牙舌头”,而是指“西班牙语”。


我们常说的有“语言天赋”,英语里相应的表达是 the gift of tongues。“母语”在英语中用 mother tongue 表达,还可以说
parent language 或 linguistic parent,但 mother language 的说法却是不地道的。

100. 我爷爷是奔75的人了。
[误] My grandpa is running for seventy-five.
[正] My grandpa is getting on for seventy-five.
注:run for 有“竞赛,竞选”之意,如:run for Congress(竞选国会议员),run for the presidency(竞选总统)等。而
get on for 才表示“接近”,它通常用进行时态,后面一般跟年龄或者时间,如:It's getting on for midnight(快到半夜了)
等。

***(1). push thirty[forty,etc.]已经快到三[四...]十岁了:


She would like you to think so, but she's pushing thirty.
You wouldn't think so to look at him, but he's pushing 40.

(2). get on for[towards]快到(某时间),快(多少岁):


It's getting on for nine o'clock.
He must be getting on for forty now.
Here you are getting on toward thirty.

(3). 年龄的一些说法:
1) I'm twenty.(常用)
2) I'm twenty years old.(常用)
3) I'm twenty-year-old.(不常用)
4) I'm twenty years of age.(书面)
5) I'm aged twenty (years).(书面)
6) My age is twenty (years).(不常用)
7) I come into the age of twenty.(不常用)
8) I'm in my teens.(不常用)

in one's early teens(不常用)


在十三四岁年纪

not yet out of one's teens(不常用)


还没有到20岁

101. 正如中国的一句俗话:“笨鸟先飞”。
[误] As an old Chinese saying goes, "Stupid birds have to start flying early."
[正] As an old Chinese saying goes,"Clumsy birds have to start flying early."

注:“笨鸟先飞”常用来比喻那些能力差的人,因为做事怕落后,所以就提前行动。这里的“笨”并非 stupid(智力低下的,愚蠢
的)的意思,而用 clumsy(笨拙的,不灵巧的)更恰当。

102. 艾达把“发音”一词拼写错了,不过只是个笔误。
[误] Ida misspells the word "pronunciation", however, it is only a mistake of pen.
[正] Ida misspells the word "pronunciation", however, it is only a slip of the pen.

注:与 mistake(错误,误会,过失)相比,slip 更侧重于由于不经意或疏忽而造成的错误,所以“口误”一般译为 a slip of


the tongue,同样,“笔误”就翻译成 a slip of the pen。

103. 我们将口头对这一问题做个表决。
[误] We shall take an oral vote on this problem.
[正] We shall take a voice vote on this problem.

注:voice 除了指“说话声,嗓音”之外,还有“(公开或正式表达出的)意见,愿望”的意思。voice vote 又叫“呼声表决”,即参


加表决者叫喊“同意”或“不同意”,按呼声响亮的一方决定。而 oral 则强调“以口头的方式”,例如:oral practice(口头练
习),oral examination(口试),oral report(口头汇报)等,但“口头表决”英语却没有 oral vote 之说,而习惯用 voice
vote。

104. 内德有一条瘸腿。
[误] Ned has a lame leg.
[正] Ned is lame in one leg.
注:lame 作“瘸的,跛的,残废的”讲,一般用作表语,且其主语往往是人或动物,例如:go lame(变成瘸子),be lame
in/或 of one leg(一条腿跛的)。当 lame 用作定语时,它常表示“站不住脚的,有缺陷的”,例如:a lame excuse(站不住
脚的借口),a lame imitation(低劣的仿制品)。

105. 我舅舅的胃病又犯了。
[误] My uncle has got another attack of stomach disease.
[正] My uncle has got another attack of stomach trouble.

注:英语同汉语一样,也有很多约定俗成的表达法。同样是“病”,心脏病可以说 heart disease,但胃病、肝病、眼病等就习惯


说成 stomach/liver/eye trouble。

106. 奥尼尔是首位进入决赛的种子选手。
[误] O'Neil is the first seed player to reach the final.
[正] O'Neil is the first seed to reach the final.

注:seed 的愿意是“种子,萌芽”,后被引申为“种子选手”,所以这时不必再加 player。类似的词还有“植物


人”(vegetable),它被翻译成英语时“人”字也不必译出。

107. 因为玛吉请了三天病假,所以她必须把落下的课补上。
[误] Since Maggie asked for a sick leave of three days,she should make up for her lost lessons.
[正] Since Maggie asked for a sick leave of three days,she should make up her lost lessons.

注:同样表示“弥补,补偿,补足”,make up 后面一般接具体的名词,如:make up a missed lesson(补课),a make-


up examination(补考)等;而 make up for 后面的名词通常比较抽象,如:make up for the lost time(弥补时间上的
损失),make up for one's defects(补其所短)等。

108. 对不起,因为交通繁忙,我迟到了20分钟。
[误] Excuse me, I am twenty minutes late because of the busy traffic.
[正] Excuse me, I am twenty minutes late because of the heavy traffic.

注:busy 的确可以作“繁忙”讲,如:the busy farming season(农忙季节),a busy day(繁忙的一天)等,但“交通繁


忙”却是约定俗成的说法,要用 heavy 形容 traffic,而不是 busy。在大城市,交通一般都比较繁忙,尤其在 rush hours(上
下班的高峰期),常常会出现 traffic jam(交通阻塞)。如果要表达“街上车辆很少”,可以说 There is little traffic on the
roads。

109. 在很久以前,这里曾经有座宫殿。
[误] There used to be a palace here before long.
[正] There used to be a palace here long before.

注:不要想当然地以为 before long 是指“在很久以前”,恰恰相反,它的意思是“不久以后”,例如:Harry Porter will be


published before long(《哈利.波特》不久就要出版了)。而 long before 才相当于 long,long ago,表示“在很久很久以
前”。

110. 你真是不要脸,居然干出这种事。
[误] You are so faceless that you should have done such a thing.
[正] You are so shameless that you should have done such a thing.

注:虽然 -less 主要附在名词或动词后面构成否定形容词,表示“没有,无,不”,如:fearless(无畏的),careless(不小心


的),doubtless(无疑的)等,但 faceless 的意思却是“姓名不详的,匿名的,不露面的”。而“伤风败俗的,无耻的,不要脸
的(人)”则要用 shameless 来表达,而 shameful 一般用来指“可耻的,丢脸的(行为)”,例如:shameful conduct(可
耻的行为),a shameless exploiter(无耻的剥削者)。

111. 你们必须擦亮眼睛,弄清楚事情的真相。
[误] You should wipe your eye and find out the truth.
[正] You should remove the scales from your eyes and find out the truth.
注:英语里确实有 wipe one's eye 这一短语,但它表示“先发制人”或“使某人看到自己的狂妄”,而且这里的 eye 要用单数形
式。而 scale 用作复数可比喻“障眼物”,英文的 remove the scales from one's eyes 才对应于中文的“擦亮眼睛”。

112. 瞧,树上有两只麻雀。
[误] Look, there are two sparrows on the tree.
[正] Look, there are two sparrows in the tree.

注:英语中,只有“长”在树上的东西才用介词 on,例如:There are lots of apples on the tree;其余均用介词 in,例如:


The primitive built houses in the tree(原始人在树上建房子)。本例句也不例外。

113. 裘德在乡下有一块菜地。
[误] Jude has a piece of vegetable field in the countryside.
[正] Jude has a piece of vegetable plot in the countryside.

注:英语里 field 的确可指“(一块)田地”,如:a paddy field(一块稻田),terraced fields(梯田)等,但“菜地”却习惯称


为 vegetable plot,而不是 field。 plot 指“小块土地,小块地皮”,如:an experimental plot of cotton(一块棉花试验
田)。

114. 我妻子总喜欢留朋友吃顿便饭。
[误] My wife is fond of asking her friends to stay for a casual meal.
[正] My wife is fond of asking her friends to stay for a light meal.

注:casual 可作“不拘礼节的,非正式的”讲,如:clothes for casual wear(便服)。但“便饭”人们习惯用形容词 light,该


词也有“随便的,不重要的”之意,如:a light conversation(闲谈)。

115. 要测量海水的深度不是一件容易的事情。
[误] It is a tough job to measure the depth of the sea.
[正] It is a tough job to fathom the depth of the sea.

注:要测量某人的身高,某人物体的长、宽、高,某两点间的距离,某物体的运动速度等,都可以用 measure 一词,例如:


The room measures 10 meters across(这房间10米),但惟有测量水深时不用 measure,而要用 fathom。

116. 美国是个超级大国,不少人都梦想着能移民到那儿。
[误] The United States is a super country, and many people dream of immigrating into it.
[正] The United States is a superpower, and many people dream of immigrating into it.

注:super- 是一个前缀,表示“特大的,超级的”等含义,例如:supermarket(超市),superstar(超级明星),
superman(超人)等。superpower 是“超级大国”的习惯表达,power 本身也有“强国,大国”的含义,如:an industrial
power(工业强国),the imperialist powers(帝国主义列强)等。用 super country 表示“超级大国”是中国式的英语。

117. 哈罗德邀请一位女士到舞池里跳舞。
[误] Harold invites a lady to dance in the dance pool.
[正] Harold invites a lady to dance in the dance floor.

注:pool 在英语里是指“水塘”或“水池”,如 swimming pool(游泳池)等。而中文的“池”意思就多了,它在“舞池”中就指“旁


边高中间低的地方”,再加上许多约定俗成的说法,所以,翻译时要具体情况具体对待。如:“舞池”英文是 dance floor,而“乐
池”则为orchestra pit。

118. ---我们这是上哪儿去?
- ---去我的住处。
[误] ---Where are we going to?
- ---To my living place.
[正] ---Where are we going to?
- ---To my dwelling place.
注:虽然 live 有“居住”的意思,但 living place 却是指“(房屋里)可居住的地方”,因为 living 作形容词所表达的意思是“适
于居住的”。而 dwelling 本身就是名词,指“住处”或“寓所”,它也可以再修饰其他名词,如:dwelling house 或 dwelling
place 等。

119. ---想喝点什么?
- ---来杯淡茶吧!
[误] ---What would you like to drink?
- ---A cup of light tea, pleas.
[正] ---What would you like to drink?
- ---A cup of weak tea, pleas.

注:一般说来,形容食物“清淡”用 light,例如:light soup(清汤),a light diet(清淡的饮食)等。形容烟、酒等“味淡


的”则要用 mild,例如:The tobacco is very mild(这烟草儿很淡)。而“淡茶”的表达是 weak tea。与“淡”相对的是“浓”,
可以翻译成 strong,例如:strong drinks(烈性酒),strong tea(浓茶);也可以译成 thick,例如:thick soup(浓汤)
等。

120. 有人看见一位妇女和两个孩子朝路那边走去。
[误] A woman with two children were seen walking down the road.
[正] A woman with two children was seen walking down the road.

注:在英语中,主语由 as well as, with, along with, together with 等连接时,谓语动词要与这些连接词前面的名词或代词


保持一致。

121. 我们的班主任住在18栋楼4单元2号。
[误] Our head-teacher lives in Building 18, Entrance 4, No. 2.
[正] Our head-teacher lives in No. 2, Entrance 4, Building 18.

注:英语地址的写法同汉语相反,汉语是从大到小,而英语却是从小到大。例如:Bill Clinton lives in the Little Rock,


Arkansas.(比尔.克林顿住在阿肯色的小石城)。

122. 如果你也那样做可就有失身份了。
[误] You would lose your identity if you'd follow suit.
[正] It would be beneath your dignity if you'd follow suit.

注:identity 是可以翻译成汉语的“身份”,如:The police made sure of his identity(警察查明了他的身份)及 an


identity card(身份证)等,但它所表示的“身份”是“正身”或“个人及家庭的基本情况”。而“有失身份”的“身份”是指“一个人所处
的地位和应有的尊严”,所以它不能翻译成 lose one's identity,而应用 beneath one's dignity 来表达。“在某人的尊严之
下”(beneath one's dignity)不就是“有失身份”的意思吗?当然,它还可以用 not up to one's status/dignity/fame 之类的
短语来表示。

123. 每个月的单号我们都有一场比赛。
[误] We have a match on single-numbered days of each month.
[正] We have a match on odd-numbered days of each month.

注:single 是“单一的,单个的”意思如:single-eyed(独眼的),single-handed(独手的,单枪匹马的)等。而 odd 才表


示“单数的,奇数的”意思,如:odd houses(单号门牌的房子),odd month(有三十天的月份)等。

124. 大舌头的人发音都很糟糕。
[误] Big-tongued persons have terrible pronunciations.
[正] Thick-tongued persons have terrible pronunciations.

注:tongued 常和其他词构成复合词,如:loose-tongued(铙舌的,随口乱说的),silver-tongued(能言善辩的)等。说
一个人是个口齿不清的“大舌头”,除了可用 a thick-tongued person 来表达,还可以用 a lisper 表达相同的意思。

125. 你可真是个人物啊!
[误] You are really a person.
[正] You are really a personage.

注:person 仅仅指一个普通的“人”,如:a young person(一个年轻人),a courageous person(一个勇敢的人)等。所


以第一句译文的意思是“你真的是一个人”,好像在讽刺人似的。而 personage 指“要人,名流,显贵”,用这个词才能准确表达
原句的意思。

126. 你为什么不走大路偏走小路呢?
[误] Why don't you take the big road instead of the small one?
[正] Why don't you take the main road instead of the path?

注:英语里常用 main 表示“主要的”,如:main line(铁路的主要干线);main stem(河流的主要河道);mainland(对


小岛和半岛而言的“大陆”)等。而中文的“大路”就是“主干道”的意思,所以也应用 main 修饰。

127. 在动笔之前,你必须先打开思路。
[误] You should open your mind before you begin to write.
[正] You should broaden your mind before you begin to write.

注:open 表示“打开,张开”时,后面通常跟具体名词,而 broaden 表示“拓宽,扩大”,其后既可以跟具体名词搭配,又可以


接抽象名词,如:broaden one's horizon(开阔眼界),The street broadens here(街道在这里变宽了)。mind 是个抽
象名词,所以应与 broaden 搭配。

128. 那些人攒三聚五地聚在一起干嘛呢?
[误] What are those people gathering in threes and fives for?
[正] What are those people gathering in threes and fours for?

注:汉语中有些数词可以直接翻译成英文,如:“沧海一粟”(a drop in the ocean),“一箭双雕”(kill two birds with one


stone)等。但是,也有不少数词不能进行等值翻译,上面所列的就是一例。除此之外,还有“乱七八糟”(at sixes and
sevens),“再三考虑”(on second thought),“三三两两地”(by ones and twos)等。

129. 我爷爷的爷爷从生下来一直到死都没有离开过这座大山。
[误] My great great-grandfather had never left the mountain from birth to death.
[正] My great great-grandfather had never left the mountain from the cradle to the grave.

注:“从......到......”常可以翻译成 from ...to...,如:from ancient times to the present(从古至今),from


beginning to end(从头到尾),from dawn to dusk(从早到晚)等。第一句翻译错就错在将“生”和“死”翻得太直白了,不
符合英语的习惯。

130. 要想学习英语,必须首先学会查字典。
[误] In order to learn English, one must learn to look up the dictionary first.
[正] In order to learn English, one must learn to look up words in the dictionary first.

注:look up 表示“(在字典、词典、参考书等中)查找,查寻”,后面要跟查找的对象。所以,第一句译文搭配不正确,让人误
以为是要“找字典”。原文还有另外一种表达方式,即 consult the dictionary,因为 consult 表达的正是“查阅(字典、书籍
等)”。

131. 盖奇在船厂工作了30年。
[误] Cage has been working in a ship factory for thirty years.
[正] Cage has been working in a shipyard for thirty years.

注:英语中的 factory 与汉语的“厂”有时候可以对应,如:clothing factory(服装厂),chemical factory(化工厂),


food products factory(食品厂)等,但也有例外,除了“船厂”要用 yard 以外,还有“酿酒厂”(brewery),砖瓦厂
(brickfield),电厂(power plant)等。

132. 当心碰到脑袋。
[误] Take care of your head!
[正] Mind your head!

注:英语里提醒别人注意可以说:Take care! /Look out! /Be careful! 等,但 take care of 却表示“照顾,照料(某人或某
物)”。而 mind 用作及物动词时表示“注意,留心,当心”,也有提醒注意的意思。如:Mind the wet paint(当心,油漆未
干)等。

133. 买鞋油的钱你先垫着,我以后还。
[误] Please pay for the shoe oil for me. I'll pay back later.
[正] Please pay for the shoe polish for me. I'll pay back later.

注:鞋油的“油”不用 oil 表达,而要用 polish。polish 可以作“擦光剂”讲,也可以作“磨光,擦亮”讲,如:a desk with a


high polish(表面光泽极好的书桌)。

134. 由于第三者插足,这对夫妻离婚了。
[误] The couple divorced because of the third person.
[正] The couple divorced because of a third party.

注:序数词一般常跟定冠词 the 连用,表示“第几”;而序数词和不定冠词 a 连用时表示的则是“另一个”。如:He won the


third prize(他得了个三等奖),He won a third prize(他第三次得奖)。

135. 这是个口误。
[误] It is an oral mistake!
[正] It is a slip of the tongue!

注:“口误”要用 slip of the tongue(舌头滑了一下)表达,而 misake 一词太严重了,与汉语的内涵有出入。

136. 三思而后行。
[误] Think three times before you act!
[正] Think twice!

注:汉语中以“三”言其多,英国人却只要求“转念”即可,所以用 twice(二)。若将中国的思维强作移植,只恐果实滋味无人
懂。

137. 这是她的口头禅。
[误] This is her habitual phrase.
[正] This is her pet phrase.

注: 习惯的短语?宠物的短语?若是像对宠物一般珍视和不离,这短语自然就是中国人所谓的“口头禅”了!

138. 生命短暂而艺术永恒。
[误] Life is short, and art is long.
[正] Art is long, and time is fleeting.

注: 这是一句传诵千古的名言,若直译成英文会显消极和晦气,没有了原汁原味的神韵。

139. 过河莫忘搭桥人。
[误] Don't forget the builder of the bridge when you cross the river.
[正] Prise the bridge he goes over.

注: 第一句虽不算错,但第二句意象一转,层面一变,可就简练形象多了!

140. 习惯成自然。
[误] Habit forms nature.
[正] Habit is second nature.
注: 第二句颇有后天习得之意味,妙处也就在于此。

141. 上梁不正下梁歪。
[误] If the upper beam is crooked, the one below is necessarily so.
[正] Fish begins to stink at the head.

注: 鱼要腐烂头先臭?西方人把中国人赋予建筑的喻义转接到了食物身上,异曲同工吧!记得不要直译哦!

142. 聊胜于无。
[误] Few is better than none.
[正] Half a bread is better than none.

注: 中国的四字成语言简意赅,而英文却将此形象化于西方人所熟悉的面包,亲切可触。

143. 忧愁伤身。
[误] Worry hurts body.
[正] Care killed the cat.

注: 既然莎翁(莎士比亚)用了一只可怜的猫,那么,就用猫好了。

144. 他输了这场球。一切都完蛋了。
[误] He has lost the game. The egg is over.
[正] He has lost the game. It has gone belly up.

注: 我们不知道中文“完蛋”二字的源头,但是英文表达里的 belly up 源自漂在水中的死鱼。怎么样?很生动吧!千万不要用鸡


蛋把外国人搞得丈二和尚摸不着头脑哦!

145. 他俩好得能穿一条裤子。
[误] They are so close as if they could wear the same trousers.
[正] They are hand in glove.

注: 中国人的这一表达在西方人看来简直是莫名其妙,他们相应的说法是像手在手套里一样亲密无间。

146. 他资质平平。
[误] He has a normal intelligence.
[正] He has an average intelligence.

注: normal 言其正常,average 言其平庸。貌似一般,但内涵不同,绝对不可滥用。

147. 他这次可是搬起石头砸自己的脚。
[误] This time, he has carried a stone and let it fall on his own feet.
[正] This time, he has shot himself in the foot.

注: 中文和英文都用了“脚”,可是一个要用“石头”,一个要用“枪”。别记错了!

148. 他老是信口开河。
[误] He is always making his mouth flow like a river.
[正] He is always shooting off his mouth!

注: 中国人的这一比喻西方人是无论如何也理解不了的,他们不仅体会不到其中的夸张,还会以为这个人整天口水直流呢!

149. 这事儿八字还没一撇呢!
[误] I have not drawn the first part of the letter eight!
[正] It has not got to the first base!
注: 这句话与汉字形状有关,直译成英文真是要多怪有多怪。幸好英文里有一个类似表达,那就拿来用吧!

150. 她最爱给人当头泼凉水了。
[误] She loves pouring cold water over other's head.
[正] She loves throwing a wet blanket on others.

注: wet blanket 在英语中指“令人扫兴的人或事”,而中文的“泼凉水”在这里也不是直泼,也是“令人扫兴”的意思。所以在某些


时候,中国人的“泼凉水”等同于西方人的“抛湿毯子”呢!

151. 她老是为一些鸡毛蒜皮的小事烦心。
[误] She is always worrying over chicken feather and garlic skin.
[正] She is always worrying over nickel and dime.

注: 中文里拿细碎小物作比,英文中则用零钱碎钞为喻,两种文化,表达自然不同了。

152. 他是个软心肠。
[误] He is a soft-hearted man.
[正] He is a pushover.

注: 心肠软,其实也就是听不得别人几句好话,外力一推就身不由已了。在这里,英文不言局部的“心”,而只谈整体的“人”,与
汉语的这个区别要记一记。

153. 我们俩得为这个错误负责。
[误] You and I am responsible for this mistake.
[正] I and you are responsible for this mistake.

注: 老师常常强调英文中要“先人后己”,但表达承担责任或接受指责等倒霉事时却例外,反其道而行之,这你知道吗?

154. 她儿子终于平安无事地回来了。
[误] Her son has finally come back, safe and eventless.
[正] Her son has finally come back, safe and sound.

注: “平安”可以用 safe 表达,可是“无事”呢?不要直译,因为 safe and sound 在英文里已经是固定搭配,直接拿来用吧,很


地道的!

155. 别太沮丧了,众口难调嘛。
[误] Don't be frustrated. It is hard to cater for all tastes.
[正] Don't be frustrated. You can't please everyone.

注: 遇到这种情况,千万别钻牛角尖,找什么十足的对应,因为每种文化都是独特的。

156. 明日复明日,明日何其多。
[误] Tomorrow after tomorrow. How many tomorrows would there be?
[正] One today is worth two tomorrows.

注: 因为汉语独特的音韵特点,所以这句话用汉语重复起来有绵延效果,但直译成英文却韵味尽失。因此,这里英文将汉语丰富
的内涵浓缩在短短几个词里,可谓与汉语各有千秋。

157. 一日不见,如隔三秋。
[误] It seems many years if they fail to see each other.
[正] Absence sharpens love.

注: 这里值得惊叹的是,英文中竟有如此美妙的句子与这句中文相对。它们一个含蓄,一个直白,但都一样的经典。
158. 有情人终成眷属。
[误] Lovers shall become couples in the end.
[正] All shall be well, and Jack shall have Jill.

注: 中文里千古传诵的句子,到了英文中却具体成了两个有名有姓的年轻人,而且还用了英文特有的修辞手法---头韵,妙极!

159. 我给年轻人的忠告就是多用耳朵,少用嘴巴。
[误] The advice I would like to provide the young people with is to use their ears more than their mouths.
[正] The advice I would like to provide the young people with is to be swift to hear but slow to speak.

注: 中文是用“耳朵”和“嘴”来指行为,很有特点;而英文用的是形容词与动词不定式的组合,既对称又对比鲜明。

160. 人言可畏。
[误] Words are horrible.
[正] Give a dog a bad name and hang him.

注: 此处的“人言”岂是直译为 words 所能表达的!所以还是用地道的英文谚语好 ---借“狗”来说人,有趣而且贴切。

161. 别五十步笑百步了,你并不比我做得好。
[误] Don't laugh at those who have covered 100 steps when you have covered 50. You have done no better
than me.
[正] The pot calls the kettle black! You have done no better than me.

注: 以前,英国人烧水不是用 pot 就是用 kettle,而且它们的底总被熏得黑黑的。所以,“罐子笑锅黑”与我们的“五十步笑百


步”一样,都很形象,只是两种文化所深沉的东西不一样,因此表达也就大相径庭了。如若直译,很难传神,甚至理解都成问
题。

162. 一粒老鼠屎,坏了一锅汤。
[误] The mouse waste spoils the whole pot of soup.
[正] The rotten apple injures its neighbors.

注: 都来自生活小常识,都揭示人生大现象,可是,中英文选择的载体就是不一样。中国人熟悉的表达是“老鼠屎”,西方人则
用“烂苹果”。

163. 史密斯先生觉得自己是个小人物,他多希望有一天能成为大人物啊!
[误] Mr Smith always considers himself a small figure, and how he wishes to be a big figure one day!
[正] Mr Smith always considers himself nobody, and how he wishes to be somebody one day!

注:“小人物”也好,“大人物”也罢,是言其地位,而非体格。nobody 和 somebody 能准确表达这一中文意思,而 small


figure 和 big figure 是指“小个子”和“大个子”,不要混淆噢!

164. 三个臭皮匠,顶个诸葛亮。
[误] Three cobblers equal Zhuge Liang.
[正] Two heads are better than one.

注: 此类中文典故很难通过直译讲清楚,加上一大堆注释又无法传神,所以还不如用英文对应的习惯表达呢。

165. 文人相轻。
[误] Men of letters despise each other.
[正] Two of a trade never agree.

注: 虽然第二句英文说法比中文原文的所指范围要宽泛一些,但其精髓是相通的,值得比较记忆。
166. 一个巴掌拍不响,这事儿是他俩一块儿干的。
[误] One palm claps not ---this must have been done by them both.
[正] It takes two to tango ---this must have been done by them both.

注: 我们说“一个巴掌拍不响”,而西方人习惯用“探戈舞是需要两个人一块儿跳的”,但这两者的含义是那么的一致。

167. 江山易改,本性难移。
[误] It is easier to move the mountains than to change one's nature.
[正] A leopard can't change its spots.

注: “豹子改变不了身上的花斑”,英语里常用动物来说明事理。

168. 汤姆破产以后,他的那些朋友都不见了 ---他们不过是一些酒肉朋友。


[误] None of his friends has ever turned up since Tom went bankrupt ---they are nothing but friends of wine
and meat.
[正] None of his friends has ever turned up since Tom went bankrupt ---they are nothing but fine weather
friends.

注: 英语中的 fine weather friends 是指“顺境中的朋友”,其意思与我们的“酒肉朋友”是一样的,都是指“只能同甘,不能共


苦的朋友”。

169. 他白手起家,把一家小工厂办成了跨国集团。
[误] He started from white hand, developing a small factory into an international business group.
[正] He started from scratch, developing a small factory into an international business group.

注: “白手”是“从零开始”的意思,而不是“白色的手”。所以,有时候直译是会贻笑大方的。scratch 作名词时曾有“起跑线”之
意,所以 start from scratch 才是“白手起家”的正确翻译。

170. 这班上最高的男生成了她的靠山。
[误] The tallest boy in the class has become her backing hill.
[正] The tallest boy in the class has become her security blanket.

注: “靠山”只是个比喻说法,它是指“保护人”。但英国人不习惯用“靠山”作比喻,也不用我们常说的“保护伞”。也许他们认为被
毯子包裹起来更有安全感吧。

171. 我心里有数,他将成为我最优秀的学生。
[误] I have numbers in my heart that he will be my best student.
[正] I feel in my bones that he will be my best student.

注: 如果将“心中有数”翻译成“心里有几个数字”,那外国人一定不明白是什么意思。而 feel in one's bones(在骨头里都感觉


到了)不正充分表达了中文的意思吗?

172. 他把这工程做砸了,被老板骂得狗血淋头。
[误] He failed in the project and was poured the blood of dogs by his boss.
[正] He failed in the project and was given both barrels by his boss.

注: 在这里,barrel 是“枪筒”的意思。而 give sb. both barrels 指连续射击,狠狠打击对手,不给他喘息的机会。它与中文


的“狗血淋头”不是一回事吗?

173. 他老爱吹牛,一点也不可信。
[误] He is always blowing the bull up and is not reliable at all.
[正] He is always talking big and is not reliable at all.

注: 将“吹牛”翻译成“把一头牛吹起来”的人可能并不多,但不知如何翻译的人也许不在少数。现在你知道了吗?talk big 就
是“吹牛”的地道说法。
174. 别杞人忧天了,公司的状况很好。
[误] Don't worry about the falling sky. The company is going on quite well.
[正] Don't be a nervous Nellie. The company is going on quite well.

注: nervous Nellie 就是英文里那个忧心忡忡的“杞人”,那么为什么不直接拿来用呢!

175. 她做事总是拣了芝麻,丢了西瓜。
[误] She is always collecting sesame at the cost of watermelon.
[正] She is only penny-wise.

注: “拣了芝麻,丢了西瓜”是中文里对因小失大的形象比喻,但照搬到英文里则会让人糊涂。西方人怎样说呢?penny-wise!
即“只在小钱上精明”。但仔细想想它们是不是具有相同的意思呢?

176. 自从那件事发生以后,他总是魂不守舍的。
[误] His soul is absent from its dwell ever since the occurrence of that event.
[正] He has been having ants in his pants ever since the occurrence of that event.

注: “蚂蚁在裤腿里爬”当然会让人坐立不安了,这时与中文所说的“魂不守舍”是不是一个样子呢?只是中文用的是拟人的修辞手
法,而英文用的是比喻。

177. 他累断了腰才把儿子抚养成人。
[误] He broke his waist to bring up his son.
[正] He broke his neck to bring up his son.

注: 中国人说“累断了腰”,而英国人习惯用“累断脖子”。

178. 他俩总混在一块儿,可真是物以类聚啊。
[误] They stay together all the time ---similar objects are always together.
[正] They stay together all the time ---like to like.

注: 第一句译文也能达意,但怎能与言简意赅且富有乐感的 like to like 相比呢?

179. 小声点儿,隔墙有耳!
[误] Turn down your voice! There is a ear behind the wall!
[正] Turn down your voice! Walls have ears!

注: 在这里,地道的英文表达是用拟人的说法。“隔墙有耳”就是“墙也长耳”啊!

180. 他做事总是半途而废。
[误] He is in the habit of doing things by half.
[正] He is in the habit of doing things by halves.

注: by halves 已经成为英文中的一个习惯表达,表示做事情“有始无终”。擅加改动可就错了。

181. 露西最喜欢吃巧克力冰淇淋。
[误] Lucy most likes chocolate ice cream.
[正] Lucy likes chocolate ice cream best.

注: 中、英文有不同的语序。此句英文的最高级应放在句末,且固定的搭配应该是 like sth. better/best。

182. 建好新的高速公路恐怕要等到猴年马月了。
[误] The new motorway won't be ready until monkey's year and horse's month.
[正] The new motorway won't be ready for donkey's years.
注: 我们的“猴年马月”在英文中要用“驴年”表达,即 donkey's years。另外,英文中 till the cows come home 所表达的意
思也与此相同,如:If you expect to get help from him, you will have to wait till the cows come home.

183. 请自重!
[误] Be respectful to yourself!
[正] Behave yourself!

注: 这句中文几乎是一种警告,不是 respectful 所能表达的。但 behave oneself 也不总表达如此严厉的语气,而且其中的


oneself 还可以省略。如:Children, please behave!(孩子们,乖一点!)另外,conduct oneself with dignity 也可以表
达“自重”或“放规矩点”等相同的意思。

184. 他太激动了,以致无法从头至尾地把故事讲完。
[误] He was too excited to tell his story from the beginning to the end.
[正] He was too excited to tell his story from beginning to end.

注: 这有关英语零冠词的用法。在英语的某些固定短语中,是无需使用冠词的。除了上例,相似的还有 at this time of year/


day(一年中的这个时候),in bed(在床上)等。

185. 隐形眼镜
[误] invisible glasses
[正] contact lenses

注: 一般的眼镜是用玻璃(glass)制成的,所以在英文中用 glass 表达。但隐形眼镜因为由特殊材料制成,并与人们的眼球直


接接触(contact),因此名为 contact lenses。

186. 月夜
[误] moon night
[正] moonlit night/moonlight night

注: 英语中用名词作定语的情况很多,如:cloth market(布匹市场),women doctors(女医生),school gate(学校大


门)等,但并不是万无一失的,类似的例子还有 sunny day 或 sunlit countyard等。

187. 虽说他们是两兄弟,但学习态度真有天壤之别啊!
[误] Though they are brothers, their attitudes of studying are really as different as sky and earth!
[正] Though they are brothers, their attitudes of studying are teally as different as night and day!

注: 还是取地道的英文表达最保险,但这需要平时就做有心人,注意积累。

188. 勇敢点孩子,别怕被人笑话。
[误] Be brave, boy, don't be afraid of being laughed by others.
[正] Be brave, boy. Don't be afraid of being laughed at by others.

注: 初学英语者易犯的一个错误就是用逗号连接两个独立和完整的英语句子。虽然中文里这样用可以,但英文里却不行,要用连
词 and,so,though 等,或干脆用句号使其成为两个句子。另外,“笑话某人”应用 “laugh at sb.”,介词 at 不能忘,在被动
语态中尤其要注意。

参见:Run-on sentences and sentence fragments


http://www.rainlane.com/dispbbs.asp?boardid=11&star=1&replyid=61801&id=12786&skin=0&page=1

189. 随便叫个人来帮忙,张三李四都行。
[误] Get someone to help, Zhang San, Li Si or anyone else.
[正] Get any Tom, Dick or Henry to help.

注:中国人姓“张”和姓“李”的很多,所以汉语中用“张三李四”泛指任何人。英国人叫 Tom,Dick 或 Henry 的很多,所以我们


的“张三李四”在英语中就成了“Tom,Dick or Henry”。

类例:老王= George?
Source: 《汉英词语翻译漫话》陈忠诚 著 p.9

《汉英词典》中,“老王卖瓜,自卖自夸”的汉语译文是:
1) Lao Wang selling melons praises his own goods. [此译文后还有一个注释(“---praise one's own ware or
work”),但不是译文,姑不予置论。]

这句译文可谓紧扣原文、无懈可击。问题是外国读者能够理解 Lao Wang 并非特指具体的老王吗?

因此,是否可以从英语中物色一个具有通称作用的人名来译“老王”呢?在英语中,Tony 和 George 都曾被用作从事某种行当者


的通称:

2) The ditchdiggers were all called "Tony" (as pullman porters were then[in 1920s]in U.S.called "George").
---Luigi Barzini: O America! London 1977, p.171

这就是说,在当年,凡挖沟工人,人多称之为 Tony;而“红帽子”,则人们都通称为 George!

那么,是否可以把“老王卖瓜,自卖自夸”中的老王译成 Tony 或 George 呢?Tony 可说不上,用 George 译“老王卖


瓜......”中的老王,倒是可以考虑的。George 不仅是美国二十年代“红帽子”的通称,而且即使在二十世纪的八十年代,还在更
大范围内用于泛指呢。下例中的 George 就是任何普通人的通称:

3) According to the latest government figures, 43 percent of the work force consists of females. Why are so
many women choosing the career route? I believe it's because they want their own identities and satisfaction
that comes with personal achievement. They are not content to settle for being "George's wife".
---"New Rules for the Marriage Game", Reader's Digest, 1982, p.91

例中的 “George's wife”如果译作“张婶”、“王嫂”,似乎是可以的。


George 之用于泛称(而不是指某一个真的名叫“乔治”的人),亦见于习语“by George”:

4) by George! an exclamation of mild surprise, determination, etc.


---WNWD

在下列美国俚语中,George 也是用于泛指的,请看:

5) Let George do it[美俚]让别人去干吧。


---《新汉英词典》

George 在这则俚语中竟成了“我”以外的所有人的通称了,其属泛指自更不待言了。
所以,至少在一定上下文中,似乎不妨把“老王卖瓜......”之类的老王(而不是真正的老王)译成 Grorge、把 George's wife
之类的 George (而不是,比如说,George Schults 之类的确有其人的 George)译成老王。

最后,关于 George 再说一个真实的故事。美国前国务卿黑格辞职不干后由舒尔茨接任,而舒尔茨的名字恰好是 George,正好


应了“Let George do it”这句俚语。请看里根在乔治.舒尔茨宣誓就职时讲的几句话:

6) Reagan [at swearing-in of George Schults as Secretary of State to replace Haig]: “I am reminded of the
saying, 'Let George do it.' George, I'll have a few things for you to do.”
---Time, December 27, 1982, p.26

190. 车速越来越快了。
[误] The speed of the car is getting faster and faster.
[正] The speed of the car is getting higher and higher.
注: fast 不能与 speed 连用,其固定搭配是 high。可以说 The car is getting faster and faster,但只能说 Our car is
driving on the highway at an extremely high speed。

191. 他掌权以后立刻露出了本来面目。
[误] He showed his true face as soon as he got the power in his hand.
[正] He showed his true colors as soon as he got the power in his hand.

注: 注意,这里的 colors 要用复数,而且这一短语带有很强的贬义。再看下面的句子:She finished the work in flying


colors(她出色地完成了任务)。这里的 colors 指“彩旗”,而飘扬的彩旗可是胜利的标志噢!

192. 敌人对我们又打又拉。
[误] The enemy striked and pulled us.
[正] The enemy used both the carrot and the stick towards us.

注: 英语里常用借代的修辞手法。又如:Pen is mightier than sword.

参见:Metonymy(转喻):
http://www.rainlane.com/dispbbs.asp?boardID=11&ID=13431&star=3&page=1

193. 不就是一篇论文吗,小菜一碟。
[误] Just a paper? It's a small plate of dish.
[正] Just a paper? It's a piece of cake/as easy as a pie.

注: 我们用“小采一碟”表示“不成问题”,而英美人更习惯用蛋糕和派。这是典型的由文化差异引起的语言差异。

194. 我不信你会傻到帮他背黑锅。
[误] I don't believe you are foolish enough to carry the black pan for him.
[正] I don't believe you are foolish enough to hold the bag for him.

注: 这里的 bag 相当于 blame 或 responsibility,所以短语 hold the bag 指“代人受过”,与我们的“背黑锅”意思相同。

195. 不管别人怎么对你,我永远是支持你的。
[误] No matter how others may treat you, I'll always support you.
[正] No matter how others may treat you, I'll be always on your side.

注: support 一般指经济或行动上比较实在的帮助和支持,而 on one's side 则侧重于观点、立场等精神上的支持和一致。因


此,这里用 on one's side 更符合愿意。

196. 她受丈夫的影响,成了不吃肉,只消费蔬菜、蛋和奶的素食者。
[误] Influenced by her husband, she changed into a vegan having eggs and milk only.
[正] Influenced by her husband, she changed into a vegetarian having eggs and milk only.

注: vegan 是“严格的素食主义者”,他们不仅不吃肉,而且连动物的副产品也不吃。而并不忌讳蛋和牛奶的“素食者”应用
vegetarian。

197. 你是在杀鸡取卵。
[误] You are killing the hen for her eggs.
[正] You are killing the goose that lays golden eggs.

注: “杀死生金蛋的鹅”典出一个广为流传的故事:一位农夫得到了一只会生金蛋的鹅,但因为嫌每天只得一个金蛋速度太慢了,
于是贪得无厌的农夫在妻子的怂恿下杀了那只鹅,想取出它肚子里所有的金蛋,结果反而彻底断了自己的财路。现在,人们用
kill the goose that lays golden eggs 比喻“目光短浅”或“得不偿失”,正是中文“杀鸡取卵”的意思。

198. 他三言两语就解释清楚了整件事。
[误] He made the whole thing clear in three or two words.
[正] He made the whole thing clear in one or two words.

注: 虽然英语中的 one or two words 也是虚指,但所用的数字却与中文的不同。又如:三思(think twice),三心二意


(in two minds),百里挑一(one in a thousand)等。

199. 他的恬不知耻让我起鸡皮疙瘩。
[误] His shamelessness gives me chick-pimples.
[正] His shamelessness gives me goose-pimples.

注: 中文的“鸡皮疙瘩”在英语中要用“鹅皮疙瘩”(goose-pimples)表达。这多半由饮食习惯的差异引起,因为鹅在中国可不
像在英国那样常见。

200. 十之八九你不能按时完成任务。
[误] Eight or nine out of ten you will not be able to finish the assignment in time.
[正] Ten to one you will not be able to finish the assignment in time.

注: “十之八九”表示“很可能”,相当于 probably,与英语的习惯用语 ten to one 意思相同。

201. 爸爸给这张桌子上了一层新漆。
[误] Daddy painted the desk with a layer of paint.
[正] Daddy painted the desk with a coat of paint.

注:layer 和 coat,虽然翻译成中文都是“层”,但用法却不同。如:Onions have layers(洋葱是一层一层的),但涂上一层


油漆却要用 coat。

A layer of smog settled over the city.


The cake has three layers.
These seeds must be covered with a layer of earth.
A layer of ice on the street.

You must put another coat of paint on this door.


Two coats of painting were needed to cover the old colour.
A coat of dust

202. 他喝起酒来像牛钦,但极少出交通事故。
[误] He drinks like a cattle, but seldom has traffic accidents.
[正] He drinks like a fish, but seldom has traffic accidents.

注:中国是个农业国,自古以来牛就是耕作的主要牲畜,所以中国人喜欢用牛,这一自己熟悉的动物来比喻。英国是个岛国,以
渔业和航海业著称,所以那里的人们最为熟悉的动物就是鱼了。

203. 他已经到了山穷水尽的地步了。
[误] They are at the end of their road.
[正] They are at the end of their tether.

注:tether 是用来拴家畜的系绳,这些家畜只能在系绳尽头所能达到的范围内活动,所以 at the end of one's tether 被用来


比喻能力等“达到了极限”。这里的 tether 有时也用 rope 替代。

204. 国家法律规定,不论贫富,一律征税。
[误] According to the state law, both poor and rich are taxed.
[正] According to the state law, both rich and poor are taxed.

注:两种语言的表达顺序往往存在差异,而且都是约定俗成的,不容改变。又如:前后(back and forth),新旧(old and


new),悲欢(joy and sorrow),血肉(flesh and blood),钢铁(iron and steel),兴衰(fall and rise),南北
(north and south)等。

205. 要在那么多书中找到我们想要的那本书简直就是大海捞针啊!
[误] To find a book we want in so many books is just as difficult as looking for a needle in the sea.
[正] To find a book we want in so many books is just as difficult as looking for a needle in a haystack.

注:a needle in a haystack(干草堆里的一根针)确实难找,与我们“大海捞针”的难度应该是半斤八两,而且,它可是英语中


约定俗成的用法啊!

206. 面包和黄油是西方人极其喜爱的食品。
[误] Bread and butter are westerners' favorites.
[正] Bread and butter is westerners' favourite.

注:bread and butter 在这里应该被看成一个整体,所以谓语动词要用单数形式。又如:刀叉(knife and folk)等。

207. 失之东隅,收之桑榆。
[误] Lose where the sun rises and gain where the sun sets.
[正] What one loses on the swings, he gets back on the roundabouts.

注:第一句虽然将原文的意思忠实地表达了出来,但英国人仍然难以体会中文“日出之处日落之时”的内涵。因此,借用地道的英
语说法才是最明智的选择。swings 是“秋千”,roundabouts 是“旋转木马”。swings and roundabouts 在英语中就表示“有得
有失”。“失之东隅,收之桑榆”还可以直接用 It's all swings and roundabouts 来表达。

208. 塞翁失马,焉知非福。
[误] When the old man on the frontier lost his horse, who could tell it was not a blessing in disguise?
[正] A loss of many turns out to be a gain.

注:直译出的句子很长,有失原文的韵味。而且,英美人没有听过“塞翁失马”的故事,所以他们也未必能懂。还有一些其它的译
法:A loss sometimes spells a gain.; Every cloud has a/its silver lining.; Misfortune may be a blessing in
disguise.; Nothing so bad, as not to be good for sth.

209. 此地无银三百两。
[误] There isn't 300 liang of silver buried here.
[正] A guilty person gives himself away by conspicuously protesting his innocence.

注:民间故事,有个人把银子埋在土里,上面写了个字条:“此地无银三百两”;他的邻居阿二把银子偷走了,也写了个字
条:“隔壁阿二不曾偷。” Folk tale. A man buried his silver in the ground and put up a note, saying: "Three
hundred ounces of silver is not buried here." His neighbour Ah Erh stole the silver and also put up a note with
this: "Your neighbour Ah Erh didn't steal it." ---A metaphor for one's being exposed by one's own vindication.
与上句一样,对不清楚故事背景的人,只有把一切解释得明白一点了。

210. 现在的家庭一般都用白糖而不用红糖。
[误] Nowadays households tend to use white sugar rather than red sugar.
[正] Nowadays households tend to use white sugar rather than brown sugar.

注:就像我们中国人不知道为什么要叫红糖(有的红糖其实是黄色的),恐怕英国人也不知道为什么要叫 brown sugar,约定


俗成吧!另外,他们的 brown bread 我们却称作“黑面包”。类似一些说法还有:红眼病 green eyes;脸色发紫 black in
the face;红茶 black tea;黄色电影 blue film 等。

littlebear

Thanks, SDZ. Your herculean labors are much appreciated.

山定子
The Chinglish Files have been featured in the U.K. newspaper "The Telegraph" and on the BBC radio program
"The World Today."

Chinglish: The humorous version of English that appears (often in instructions for assembling or using
products) after a translation from the original Chinese (or any other language) fails to come across in
"normal" English.

The term Chinglish is a fusion of the "Chin" from Chinese and the "glish" from English. Chinglish is not a racist
or bigoted term and should not be taken as such. If anything, The Chinglish Files are a way of poking fun at
how difficult our flawed English language can be to translate at times. It is not intended as a dig at the
intelligence or linguistic capabilities of other nations. Anyway, that's enough "serious" discussion already...
time for some fun:

(a * indicates the more popular featured pieces of Chinglish - The newest pieces of Chinglish are at the
bottom of the page)

http://www.silverladder.com/literature/chinglish/chinglish.htm

http://www.cjvlang.com/Spicks/fengqing.html

Chinglish
http://home.pacbell.net/pbwriter/martial/chinglish.html

英语教学中如何指导学生避免Chinglish错误
李 懿 黄朝晖
http://mjzx.edu.qz.fj.cn/jxjy/mzjy/22.htm

汉英翻译中的CHINGLISH(上)
http://www.tefl.com.cn/fanyi/cedata/4.htm

汉英翻译中的CHINGLISH(下)
http://www.tefl.com.cn/fanyi/cedata/5.htm

英语写作中汉式英语分析  
王晋瑞
http://www.bjx.com.cn/files/wx/shdlxyxb/2004-1/14.htm

英语学习大解惑
郭炜
http://www.chinaunix.net/jh/33/72773.html

汉英翻译中的几点思考
http://www.bowwin.com/chinese/online_transtechnic_detail_20.htm

关于“中式英语”的讨论
http://bbs.translators.com.cn/mtsbbs/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=6

下面是一些常见的中国式英语,语法没问题,但是不对味。大家看看怎么改。http://www.cyberlaw.cn/bbs/topic.asp?
TOPIC_ID=898&FORUM_ID=53&CAT_ID=7&Forum_Title=%B7%A8%C2%C9%D3%A2%D3%EF%D4%D3%CC
%B8&Topic_Title=%CC%D6%B7%A5Chinglish

学好英语并不难,只要走对了路!
http://club.sohu.com/read_elite.php?b=english&a=43789
别让FRIENDS误导了你
http://forum.friends6.com/viewtopic.php?p=121276

jessie

this morning, I read a sentence from 于洪恩's net: I think it'd be better for me to take you there so that you
won't get lost.

then I checked the Cambridge Dictionary, in which explained the meaning the same as your, however, at 金山
词霸, I found 'get lost' means:迷路。Then I think maybe 金山词霸 is wrong. but if in the situation as: will +
phrase, should I ues get lost?

y2005

以下是引用山定子在2004-10-10 23:00:23的发言:
05.同学们都很讨厌他,因为他经常拍老师的马屁。
[误] The student all dislike him because he often pats the teacher's ass.
[正] The students all dislike him because he often licks the teacher's boots.

Replacing "pat" with "kiss" makes an informal, not-so-polite American English expression, indicated by the
Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English:

"kiss (somebody's) ass-- to be too nice to someone who can give you something you want - used to show
disapproval."

So, to put it in use, i.e., you don't pat your boss's ass, nor kiss the boss's ass, but kick his ass if you have to
stand up to yourself.

山定子, the work you have posted here is enjoyable to read.

山定子

Thanks y2005 for your interesting examples. Let me append more.

1. ass-kisser [taboo] n. = apple-polisher, but more emphatic; suggests subject will submit to any degree
of humiliation in order to obtain favor. Though taboo, very common and often heard in semipolite, mixed
society, the orig. being ignored or fortotten.
---Dictionary of American Slang p.10

2. kiss sb.'s arse/ass/behind/bum 拍某人马屁,诌媚巴结某人


John never kissed the boss's ass.
kiss-ass n. <美俚> 马屁精
---《英汉大词典》p.975

y2005

以下是引用山定子在2004-10-10 23:09:31的发言:
13.别听他们胡说八道,根本就没那回事。
[误] Don't listen to their babbling. Nothing of the sort.
[正] Don't be fooled by their babbling. Nothing of the sort.

注:原文中的“听”不能用 listen to 来表示,因为 listen to 指“听”的动作,而原文中的“别听”不是不让他“听”,而是劝告他“不


要听信”,因此,用 not be fooled by 才更达意。

Having only read up to page 9, I have learned quite a lot from this long, informative thread. In the above
example, however, the phrase "don't listen to" could mean "don't believe" in certain contexts.

For example,

● Don't listen to rumors.


● Don't listen to a word he says.

山定子

Thanks y2005 for your careful reading. "listen to sb/sth" does have the meaning of “听从;听信”. Here let
me append some more quotations:

1. Don't listen to someone: Don't believe or do what someone says.


---Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English p.638

2. listen to sb/sth: allow oneself to be persuaded by (a suggestion, request, etc)听从;听信:


I never listen to (ie believe)what salesmen tell me. 我从不听信推销员的话。
---《牛津高阶英汉双解词典》p.866-867

3. 听从;听信(to):
Don't listen to him ---he's a very foolish fellow.
别听信他 ---他是个大笨蛋。
---《英汉大词典》p.1038

4. 听取意见,听信,听(某人的)话:
Every time I listened to your advice, I got into trouble.
I will listen to any suggestion you make.
She had not listened to him. She was in a fury.
It's very good of you to have listened to me.
You shouldn't listen to rumour.
She listens to you, and I wish you'd give her sensible advice.
Children should listen to their parents.
---张道真《现代英语用法词典》p.806

211. 对不起,小姐,恐怕我点的不是红茶而是绿茶。
[误] Sorry Miss, I'm afraid my order is not red tea but green tea.
[正] Sorry Miss, I'm afraid my order is not black tea but green tea.

注:与前面的例子一样,这又是无法解释的东西方颜色差异。又如:“黄色书籍”英文用 blue book,“又青又紫”英文称 black


and blue。另外,西方人眼中的吉日是 a white day,如“婚礼”就被叫做 white wedding,因为新娘的婚纱是白色的(近年
来,在中国,一些城里人也有去教堂举行婚礼的,自然新娘要穿白色婚纱)。而中国人传统上只有葬礼才用白色形容(如红
白“喜事”)。
About this entry, please refer to: http://www.rainlane.com/dispbbs.asp?BoardID=26&ID=11151

212. 三个和尚没水喝。
[误] Three monks have no drinking water.
[正] Everybody's business is nobody's business.
注:后一句译文用最直白的方式将原文的内在含义准确表达出来,避免了文化差异带来的理解障碍。

213. 人才流失是我们面临的重大问题。
[误] Talents draining is a serious problem we are facing.
[正] Brain-draining is a serious problem we are facing.

注:talent 指的是“天才”,而原文中的“人才”是可以通过后天塑造的,而且 brain-draining 是表示“人才流失”的英文地道说


法,用在这里更恰当。

214. 你怎么做出那样愚蠢的事情?真是让人笑掉大牙。
[误] What a fool you are to do such a thing! That really makes people laugh off their front teeth.
[正] What a fool you are to do such a thing! That really makes people laugh off their head.

注:“笑掉头”可比“笑掉门牙”更严重,看来英国人比我们还夸张。

215. 和他谈文学简直是对牛弹琴。
[误] To talk with him about literature is nothing but playing the lute to a cow.
[正] To discuss with him about literature is nothing but casting pearls before swine.

注:“对牛弹琴”可以借用英语中类似的现成说法。这种可以在英语中找到对应表述的情况很多,如:吹牛(to talk horse);挥


金如土(to spend money like water);鹬蚌相争,渔翁得利(When shepherds quarrel, the wolf has a winning
game);近朱者赤,近墨者黑(Who heeps company with the wolf will learn the howl)。

216. 瞧,那个穿蓝衣服的是她的白马王子。
[误] Look, that one in blue is her White-horse Prince.
[正] Look, that one in blue is her Prince Charming.

注:西方人不会明白为什么一定是骑白马的王子,所以不如直接表现王子的俊朗魅力。管他白马、黑马,反正帅呆了!

217. 小姑娘红扑扑的脸上挂着微笑。
[误] The little girl's red cheeks are brightened by a smile.
[正] The little girl's rosy cheeks are brightened by a smile.

注:rosy cheeks 所指的红润脸颊展示着健康和美丽,而 red 是用来形容由害羞或窘迫引起的脸红。如:He went red when


I asked about his girlfriend. 下面给出有关 red 的翻译:(For the time being, I cannot locate the post I posted on
Rainlane months ago. I'll settle this later on.)

218. 韦尼格先生因酒后驾车被罚了100美元。
[误] Mr. Vinegar was punished $100 for drunken driving.
[正] Mr. Vinegar was fined $100 for drunken driving.

注:punish 后面不直接加具体惩罚,如:He was punished by long terms of imprisonment(他被处以长期监禁)或 He


was unished to pay $100 for drunk driving。专门用来表示罚款的动词是 fine,其后可直接加被罚金额。

219. 挂羊头卖狗肉。
[误] Hanging a sheep's head while selling a dog's flesh.
[正] Cry up wine and sell vinegar.

注:嚷着卖酒,其实卖的却是醋,这也是名不符实的典型。至于为什么英语中用这样比喻,也许是因为英国人善饮,而视狗为宠
物,一般不吃狗肉吧。

220. 吉尔的作业找不到了,急得像热锅上的蚂蚁。
[误] Failing to find her homework, Jill is just like an ant on a hot pan.
[正] Failing to find her homework, Jill is just like a cat on a hot tin roof.
注:试想,炎热的夏天,可怜的猫在晒得发烫的锡房顶上脚板都快被烤熟了,它既不敢跳下去,又不能飞到天上,其处境岂不是
酷似“热锅上的蚂蚁”?

221. 我想要认识格林先生。
[误] I want to recognize Mr. Green.
[正] I should like to know Mr. Green.

注:中文说的“认识”在上句中只能用英文的 know 来译,如照字面直译为 recognize 就错了,因为英文的 recognize=know


again,例如 He has changed so much that I can hardly recognize him.(他变得太厉害,我几乎不认识他了。)原来认
识的人才可以用 recognize,第一次相识只能说 know。

222. 他父亲破产使他不能出国去留学了。
[误] The bankruptcy of his father has made him impossible to go abroad.
[正] The bankruptcy of his father has made it impossible for him to go abroad.

注:英文的 possible 或 impossible 一类的形容词,是要用“it”来作主语,不可以用“人”作主语的。

223. 如蒙早日赐复,不胜感激。
[误] I shall appreciate very much if you will reply at your earliest convenience.
[正] I shall appreciate it very much if you will reply at your earliest convenience.

注:作“感激”解的 appreciate 是及物动词,必须接有宾语,其他例如,I greatly apprreciate your kindness.(我非常感激


你的好意。)

224. 他跟一个百万富翁的女儿结婚了。
[误] He married with the daughter of a millionaire.
[正] He married the daughter of a millionaire.

注:英文 marry 一字通常是用作及物动词的,共有三个意思。(1)结婚,包括娶和嫁,例如 He is going to marry Miss


Wong.(他将娶王小姐为妻。)She married an Englishman.(她嫁给一个英国人。)May cousins marry each other?
(表兄弟可以结婚吗?)(2)遣嫁,娶媳,例如 He married his daughter to a rich man.(他把女儿嫁给一个富翁。)
He married his son to an architect's daughter.(他替儿子讨了一个建筑师的女儿做老婆。)(3)主婚,例如 The
priest is going to marry them.(牧师将为他们主婚。)如用 passive voice 是表示已结了婚的那种状态,如 Tom and
Alice have been married four years.(汤姆和艾丽丝已结婚四年了。)They got married soon after that.(那以后他们
随即就结婚了。)

225. 我哥哥是个跳舞迷。
[误] My brother is a dance mania.
[正] My brother has a mania for dancing.

注:表示对某事的着迷或狂热,英文说 mania,但这个名词不能作主语补足语,只能用作动词 have 的宾语。其他例如 He


has a perfect mania for rare books.(他有狂搜珍本书的癖好。)

226. 加拿大有多少人口?
[误] How many population has Canada?
[正] What is the population of Canada?

注:“人口”的英文 population 是不加“s”而构成复数的,所以不能用 many,但有时可以加不定冠词,如 India has a very


large population for its area.(印度以面积来说人口是很多的。)这个 population 当然也作单数用,如 Population sinks.
(人中降低。)通常用作集合名词,不加“s”构成复数,除非是下列情形:the educated pupulations of China and Japan
(中日两国的知识阶层)。

227. 我希望我的父母长寿。
[误] I hope my parents to live long.
[正] I hope my parents will live long.

注:英文动词有一定的惯用法(correct usage),有的后面可接不定式,如 I want you to attend the meeting. 有的后面


要接动名词,如 How can we avoid making mistakes? 还有的后面一定要接一个句子(clause),如本例所示,但 hope
也可接不定式,如 I hope to see you soon again.

228. 红色的和白色的玫瑰花开了。
[误] A red and white rose are in bloom.
[正] A red and a white rose are in bloom.

注:表示不同的人,名词前都应用冠词。A novelist and poet 指一个人,即“小说家兼诗人”。另外,不同的形容词修饰名词,


则形容词前也须加冠词。A red and white 表示“红白相间的”。

229. 今年应邀出席教师节庆祝活动的教师人数比去年多。
[误] The number of teachers invited to the Teachers' Day celebrations this year were larger than that of last
year.
[正] The number of teachers invited to the Teachers' Day celebrations this year was larger than that of last
year.

注:a number of 是“若干,许多”的意思,后面应该用动词的复数形式;第二个句子内 the number of 中的 number 是“数


目”的意思,尽管后面接了复数 teachers,但主语是单数的 number,所以动词须用单数。

230. 他是一位很有经验的教师,学生提什么问题他都不在乎。
[误] He is a too experienced teacher to care what kind of question the students may ask.
[正] He is too experienced a teacher to care what kind of question the students may ask.

注:如果按正常的词序,则 He is a too experienced teacher.(他是一位很有经验的教师。)不能算错,但是由于此句以


too...to 结构贯穿整个句子,这就必须将 too 和 experienced 提至冠词之前。

231. 假期从明天开始。
[误] The vacation begins from tomorrow.
[正] The vacation begins tomorrow.

注:中文的“从”字在这种场合是不需译出的,其他场合也不需译成 from,例如“新学期从四月开始”。The new term begins


in April. “新学期从四月五日开始。” The new term begins on the 5th of April. “茶会从六点开始。”The tea party
begins at six o'clock. “教育从一个人出生开始。” Education begins with a man's birth. 例句中的 tomorrow,是一个副
词,副词前是不可以用介词的。April, the 5th, six o'clock, birth 都是名词。

232. 我很高兴接受你的邀请。
[误] It gives me much plesure in accepting your invitation.
[正] It gives me much pleasure to accept your invitation.
. I have much pleasure in accepting your invitation.
. I take great pleasure in accepting your invitation.

注:take great pleasure=greatly enjoy. 如说 have the pleasure 则后不接 in 而接 of,如 I have the pleasure of
accepting your invitation.也是通的,不过此种语法多用于下类句中:May I have the pleasure of taking a glass of
wine with you? I once had the pleasure of being introduced to you. I am sorry I cannot have the pleasure of
accompanying you today. I hope you will give me the pleasure of dining with me at 8 o'clock tomorrow
evening at my place. There are many famous men whom I have not yet had the pleasure of meeting so far.

233. 我最好讲个故事给你听。
[误] I can do no better than to tell you a story.
[正] I can do no better than tell you a story.

注:在 than 后的词的形式应和 than 前的一致,句中前面是 can do,后面只能说(can)tell,不能说(can)to tell. 他例


如 It is better to win than to lose. I'd rather stay at home than go for a walk.
234. 错误显然是在你那一边。
[误] The fault clearly lies at your side.
[正] The fault clearly lies with your side.

注:在不及物动词 lie 后可接用各种各样的介词,惟含义各有不同,如 Sheets of paper lie about the room.(纸张散满一


屋。)The vilage lie across the river.(村庄在河的对岸。)Accusation of theft lay against him.(控他以盗窃罪。)
The path lies along a stream.(小路沿溪。)The hot springs lie among pretty scenery.(温泉在风光明媚之中。)
The blame lies at his door.(错在他。)A happy future lies before you.(幸福就在你前面。)What mystery lay
behind the disappearance of the girl?(少女失踪的后面潜在着什么神秘?)The truth lies between extremes.(真理
存于两个极端之间。)He has the MSS lying by him for the next number.(下一期的原稿在他那里。)The charm of
travel lies in its new experiences.(旅行的妙趣在于新奇的经历。)The ship is lying off the mouth of the river.(船
停在河口以外。)The book lies on the floor.(书在地上。)A white mist lay over London.(伦敦为白雾笼罩。)The
person lies under the suspicion of corruption.(那人有受贿的嫌疑。)The choice lies with you.(任你选择。)在 lie
后面接介词 with 时,意为“是...的义务”,“是...的责任”,他例如 It lies with you to decide.(决定的责任在你。你有义务来
作决定。取决于你。)It lies with you to accept or reject the proposal.(接受或拒绝那个建议就全看你了。)The fault
does not lie with the government officials.(责任不在政府官员。)

235. 那房间是用电力照明的。
[误] The room is lighted with electricity.
[正] The room is lighted by [means of] electricity.
. The room is lighted with electric lamps.

注:用于无形的手段时要用 by,所以与抽象名词连用,但用于有形的手段时则用 with,所以与普通名词连用。electricity 为抽


象名词,electric lamps 为普通名词。

236. 你是怎么认识他的?
[误] How you come to know him?
[正] How come you to know him?

注:惯用法在 come to do 的问句中,要将 do,did 等发问的虚词略去,这是古来的传统。但在现今的口语中可说 How did


you come to know him? 美国口语还可以说 How come you didn't say anything?(你为何一言不发?)

237. 我从小就认识他。
[误] I have known him since a child.
[正] I have known him from a child.
. I have known him since his childhood.

注:从过去某一时期到现在为止,英语要用现在完成时态,介词就用 since,但有时不说“迄”(till)也可以说“起”(from)的,
即用“from + 普通名词”代替“since + 抽象名词”。但在 from 后也同样可接抽象名词,所以不说 He has been blind since
childhood,而说 He has been blind from childhood. 也是一样。

238. 他有自己的一幢房子。
[误] He has his own house.
[正] He has a house of his own.

注:英语的属格代名词(Possessive Pronouns)有两种形式,普通的形式为 my 等,后必须接名词如 my book,绝对的形式


为 mine(=my book)等,是为避免重复地说那名词而采用的,例如 Your house is larger than mine (=my house)。在属
格代名词的前面如再加指示代名词时,即在 my book 前再加 this,that,a,some,any,no 等字样时,普通的形式便得改
为绝对的形式,以避免指示代名词与属格代名词连在一起。三百年前的英语是可以连用的,即可以说 this my book,而现代英
语则必须改为 this book of mine 才行。反身属格(Reflexive Possessive)的 my own,your own,his own 等,也要采
用绝对的形式,因为现代英语已不说 He has that his own house. 或 She has some her own reasons. 而必须改成 He
has that house of his own. 或 She has some reasons of her own.

239. 他是我父亲的朋友。
[误] He is a friend of my father.
[正] He is a friend of my father's.
注:名词前面的属格,可代定冠词用,如 my brother's wife=the wife of my brother. 又 my brother's friends=(all)
the friends of my brother. 如果不是指某一个特定的人或几个人时,则须用不定冠词 (a),那是不能用属格来代替的,即是用
了属格,还得有不定冠词,但我们又不能说 my brother's a friend. 或 a my brother's friend,所以只好说 a friend of
my brother's. 这种表现法所含有的意味是 a friend (that is) my brother's 或 one of my brother's friends. 这便是英语
的双重属格的由来。

240. 该校有三千名学生。
[误] The school has three thousand students.
[正] There are three thousand students in the school.

注:英语动词 have 有三义:(1)物质上的所有,如 I have a lot of friends. (2)身心上的具有:如 I have a poor


memory. (3)构成上的含有:如 A week has seven days = There are seven days in a week. 例句中的 have 与
(3)相似,但仍是似是而非,因学校是一个地点,不是机构,学校与学生的关系,不是不可分离的,不像星期少了一天就不
成。还有 “there + be”愿意为“存在”,存在于某处,因而变成“有”的意思。

241. 他们的希望全部破灭了。
[误] Their hope fell to 0.
[正] Their hope fell to zero.

注:zero 作数字时,在科技文章中普遍用作表示0,但在日常生活中,英国英语常把 0 叫作 naught,或 nil,美国英语往往叫


作 zero。在 zero 用作比喻用法时,表示“希望破灭”,“完全没有”,不能写作0。

242. 你有必要这样去做。
[误] It is necessary of you to do so.
[正] It is necessary for you to do so.

注:一个形容词可以用来指“行为”,又可以用来指“行为者”,如 kind, good, foolish, nice, careful, careless 这类皆是。这


种形容词可以接用 of 来造句,如 It is kind of you. (行为)= You are kind. (行为者)。另外有些形容词,只能用来指“行
为”,不能用来指“行为者”,如 necessary, impossible, inconvenient, unbearable 这类皆是。这种形容词是不可以接用 of
来造句的,它只能接用 for,例如 It is necessary for you to go. 而不能说 You are necessary to go.

243. 那囚犯的处死引起了诸多公众谴责。
[误] The prisoner's execution has caused a lot of public censure.
[正] The execution of the prisoner has caused a lot of public censure.

注:英语的属格有两种用法:一为主格作用 (Subjective Possessive)。一为宾格作用 (Objective Possessive)。例如 She


has come to sing his praise. (她来赞美他。)是宾格作用。She doesn't want his praise.(她不要他赞美。)是主格作
用。说 his praise(他的赞美)用作主格作用是不会有误解的,但说 his praise(赞美他)用作宾格作用,把属格变成了宾格,
就令人费解了。这两种作用在文字上是没有分别的,读者要从意义上才能加以辩明。如上例句中所说的 the prisoner's
execution,意为处死囚犯,当然是宾格作用,因为被人处死,是被动,决不可能变成囚犯自己处死的,所以不能说成 the
prisoner's execution,只能改用 of 的造句而说成 the execution of the prisoner,因为用 of 的造句多是表宾格作用的,例
如 the choice of him=the act of choosing him.(选择他)。如说 his choice=the person or thing he has chosen(他
所选定的人或物),就是主格作用了。

244. 战争结束后他就留洋了。
[误] After the war being over, he went abroad.
[正] The war being over, he went abroad.

注:在 Absolute Participle 的前面不要再加连词或介词。改正后的句子是属于 Written English 方面的,如改为 Sopken


English,则为 After the war was over, he went abroad.

245. 虽然他病了好几年,现在却完全好了。
[误] Though having been ill for years, he is now quite well.
[正] After having been ill for years, he is now quite well.
. Having been ill for years, he is now quite well.

注:though 是连词,只能用于连结两个从句(clause)。句中 having been ill for years,不是一个从句,至多前面只能用


介词 after,或根本什么都不要。

246. 今天的青年喜欢跳舞。
[误] The youth of today is fond of dancing.
[正] The youth of today are fond of dancing.

注:youth 前面加冠词 the 表示复数概念“青年人们”,是集合名词,词尾不加 s。这时谓语动词常用复数形式。这些名词主要


有:cattle, people, police, youth 等。接在这些名词之后的谓语动词要用复数,指代它们的代词也要用复数。如果要表示以上
这些名词的单数,可分别说成 a cow, a person, a polikcman 和 a young person。a youth 的意思是 a young man(一
个男青年)。

247. 一到新加坡,我的朋友就在机场等我。
[误] On arriving at Singapore, my friend was waiting for me at the airport.
[正] On arriving at Singapore, I found my friend waiting for me at the airport.

注:凡是带有介词的动名词,或是单独的分词,必须有一个意义上的主语,来配合这个动作。到达新加坡的是“我”,而主句中的
主语却是“我的朋友”,动作不能配合,所以是错误的。介词 before 与 after 的情形和 on 一样,故下面的两句也是错的:
After finishing his work, I paid him. Before reading the text, the vocabulary should be learned.

248. 无知与疏忽是这错误的原因。
[误] Ignorance and negligence have caused this mistake.
[正] Ignorance and negligence has caused this mistake.

注:两个以上的主语用 and 连起来表示一个单纯的目的或观念时,动词要用单数才对。他例如 Truth and honesty is


always the best policy. Slow and steady wins the race. Bread and butter is his abomination.

249. 麦饼比米饼便宜。
[误] A cake made of wheat costs less than that made of rice.
[正] A cake made of wheat costs less than one made of rice.

注:that 是从 the 变来的,属于定冠词的范围之内,所以它只能代表有定冠词的单数名词,如 The cost of oil is less than


that of gas. 但凡是有不定冠词的单数名词,就不能用 that 代表,只能用 one 代表,如上举的两个例句:one=a cake,而
that=the cost。对于有定冠词的单数名词,也并不一定非用 that 代表不可,如 The step you have taken is that of
much risk. 一句中的 that 就错了,应改为 one 才对,因为在动词 is 后应接 a step,所以只能用 one 代表。

250. 学生们在星期六晚上要去参加一个舞会。
[误] The students are going to a dance party on Saturday night.
[正] The students are going to a dance on Saturday night.

注:舞会应该说 dancing party,不要说 dance party,但一般只说 dance 也就够了。开舞会就说 give a dance,去参加舞


会就说 go to a dance。那旅馆每晚举行舞会:At the hotel dances are held nightly. 我第一次遇见她是在一个舞会上:
She and I first met at a dance. 他们请我参加舞会:They asked me to a dance. 规模较大的舞会,英语又可说 ball,是
从拉丁文来的。

251. 这机器要修理。
[误] The machine wants to repair.
[正] The machine wants to be repaired.
. The machine wants repairing.

注:动词 want 也和动词 need 一样,后接动名词时要用主动,后接不定式时才可以用被动,用主动便错了。如果以人做主语,


也就可以用主动的不定式了,同时也可接被动的不定式,例如 He wants to buy a watch. He wants to be notified
beforehand.
252. 苹果坏了四分之三。
[误] Three-fourths of the apples was ruined.
[正] Three-fourths of the apples were ruined.

注:英语以分数为主语时,由其后接的名词决定动词的单复数,例句中的 apples 为复数,故动词应改为复数的 were。但


Three-fourths of the crop was ruined.(四分之三的收成都毁了。)

253. 猫把家里的老鼠一扫而光。
[误] The cat cleared off rats from the house.
[正] The cat cleared the house of rats.
. The cat swept rats out of the house.

注:用动词 clear 时,其形式为“clear + 地点 + of + 物”,如用 sweep 时,则为“sweep + 物 + out of + 地点”。

254. 昨夜他喝得大醉。
[误] He was much drunken last night.
[正] He was much drunk last night.

注:drunken 是一个限定形容词,只能用在名词前,如 a drunken man(醉人),不能作叙述形容词用。

255. 到公园去怎样走?
[误] How shall I go to the park?
[正] What way shall I take to get to the park?

注:How shall I go 是问怎样去法,如坐出租车去,坐公共汽车去,或坐三轮车去之类。问路应说 What way 才对。

256. 全家人在九点钟上教堂去做礼拜。
[误] The family go to the church at 9 o'clock.
[正] The family goes to church at 9 o'clock.

注:把全家人看做一个整体,即一家人,应该接用单数动词。“去做礼拜”,英语应说 go to church,如果加了冠词说成 go to
the church,便不是去做礼拜,而只是去参观礼拜堂的建筑。同样“上学读书”是 go to school,如说 go to the school,便是
指校舍而言,与读书无关。

257. 他的女儿嫁给一个阔人。
[误] His daughter married to a rich man.
[正] His daughter married a rich man.
. His daughter was married to a rich man.

注:中国话的“嫁”或“娶”,英语都是 marry。此外,“主婚”也是 marry,例如 She is married to a foreigner.(她嫁给一个


外国人。)He married a wife last year.(他在去年娶了妻。)He has been married two years.(他结婚两年了。)He
wshed to marry his daughter to a peer.(他希望把女儿嫁给一个贵族。)The clergyman married Mary Jones to
John Smith.(牡师主持玛莉和约翰的婚礼。)

258. 日暮途穷。
[误] The day is falling and the road is coming to an end.
[正] The night is falling and the road is coming to an end.

注:我们说的“日”英语应译作“夜”。汉语的“日暮”除译作 The night is falling 外,又可译成 the night is closing in,或


night is coming(on),或 it is getting dark。汉语的“途穷”,除如上照字面译出的以外,又可译为 no road ahead,或意译
为 straitened, in poor circumstances 等。

259. 她的服装不大入时。
[误] Her dress does not conform to the fashion.
[正] Her dress does not conform with the fashion.
注:conform to (custom),从(俗),依照(习惯),是有意志的,至于 conform with (custom),(与习惯)相合,是无
意志的。例如 Conform to the custom of the land,入国随俗。Your conduct does not conform with the custom. 你
的行为不合习惯。

260. 如你所知道的,人生常比做航海。
[误] As you know, life is often compared with a voyage.
[正] As you know, life is often compared to a voyage.

注:同种类的东西相比用 compare with,不同种类的东西相比,则要用 compare to,例句中 life 与 voyage 完全不同种


类,故用 compare to 方合,再看下例 Famous as she is, she cannot be compared with him as a writer of
tragedies.(她虽有名,但作为一个悲剧作者是不能和他相比的。)

Yeti

re: 252: That is one mistake I often make. In my mind 3/4 is less than 1, so how can something less than
one be plural? Well, that's the way it is in English! (Same goes for All, everything...being singular. My mind
just refuses to accept them! That is why English is such as difficult language to master.)

261. 她入不敷出。
[误] Her expenditures do not correspond with her income.
[正] Her expenditures do not correspond to her income.

注:correspond to (something),相当,相称,相配。corrspond with(each other),一致,符合。例如 The


punishment should correspond to the offence.(刑罚应与犯罪相当。)This house exactly corresponds with my
needs.(这房子正合我意。)又 correspond with,可作通信解,如 We have corresponded with each other for
several years.(我们通信有好几年了。)

262. 这台缝纫机是中国制造的。
[误] This sewing-machine is Chinese make.
[正] This sewing-machine is of Chinese make.

注:说何国制造而用 make 时,必须带有 of 的字样,如 of Chinese(English, American, Japanese) make,但如用


made 时则说 Chinese made 或 made in China,不要再加 of,如说 manufacture 也是要有 of 的,如 of Chinese
manufacture(中国制造)。

263. 马可波罗以一二五四年生于威尼斯一个商人的家里。
[误] Marco Polo was born in 1254 at a Venetian merchant family.
[正] Marco Polo was born in 1254 into a Venetian merchant family.

注:说生于什么人家,即俗称投生于某家,故英语要用 into,不用 at。他例如 No man is born into this world whose


work is not born with him.(James Russel Lowell)。如果是指由什么人即父母而生,则要用 of,例如 He was born of
Chinese parents(of humble parentage, of poor fisherfolk in Holland 等)。但家庭在这种意义之下即可用 of,例如
He was born of a wealthy (noble, good) family. 又 But in every child born of man lurks some of greatness ---
waiting for the food.(H. G. Wells) 生于什么人家,有时又可译成 to 字,例如 She was born to the purple; diamonds
suited her. 这个 to 是指的对象,如 Two children were born to them.(他们生有两个孩子。)Mark Twain was born
to Samuel Langhorne Clemens, in Florida, Mo. November 30, 1835.(马克吐温以1835年11月30日,于米苏里洲佛罗
利达市,作为桑米朗洪克来门斯的儿子而出生的。)

264. 那种音乐在青年中很流行。
[误] That music is popular with the youngs.
[正] That music is popular with the young.

注:如 young 一类的形容词前面加上定冠词 the,就变成名词,它表示所有这一类的人。这样的名词必须是单数形式,但动词


一定是复数。在英语中,像 the young 这类的表达形式并不多。最常见的有 the blind, the deaf, the sick, the mentally
ill, the poor, the unemployed, the old, the dead, the rich, the clever,等等。

265. 你们写一篇短文,两小时交卷。
[误] Write a short essay and you must hand it in in two hours.
[正] Write a short essay and hand it in in two hours.

注:误句前后语气不一致,前一句用的是祈使句,第二个分句改用了陈述语气。应该使前后一致。可以把两个分句都改为祈使语
气,或都改为陈述语气。

266. 可怜的佃农骨瘦如柴。
[误] The poor tenant is as thin as a piece of firewood.
[正] The poor tenant is as lean as a rake.

注:rake(耙子)是一种长把,下端有一排直片状的齿,用来收集枯叶和疏松土壤的工具。英国人认为用它来形容瘦才形象。

267. 好吧,我告诉你。但你必须守口如瓶。
[误] OK,I'll tell you, on condition that you keep it as a bottle.
[正] OK,I'll tell you, on condition that you be as dumb as an oyster.

注:牡蛎是一种类似于蚌的水生有壳动物。秘密在一个嘴巴闭得像牡蛎一样紧的人那里是再安全不过了。英国是一个岛国,牡蛎
在那里十分常见,所以才有这样的比喻。

268. 在他看来,她的美沉鱼落雁,闭月羞花。
[误] In his eyes, her beauty would make fishes sink, wild geese fall, moon an flowers hide for shame.
[正] In his eyes, her beauty would put the flowers to shame.

注:“沉鱼落雁,闭月羞花”典出我国古代的四大美女,直译出来大多数外国人难以理解,所以不如选择一个他们容易理解的词,
而不必重复。

269. 瓮中之鳖
[误] a tortoise in an urn
[正] a rat in a hole

注:英语中原本就有 a rat in a hole(洞中之鼠)的说法,与我们的“瓮中之鳖”意思一样,所以不妨一借。

270. 中国政府正在施行稳健的货币政策。
[误] The Chinese government is launching a steady monetary policy.
[正] The Chinese government is launching a sound monetary policy.

注:“稳健”不仅指 steady 所包含的“稳定,扎实”,而且还有“合理,健康”的意思。而 sound 做形容词时有“合理的,明智的,


稳妥的”等意思,用在这里十分贴切。

271. 经她的一番添油加醋,这件事情的性质竟被完全改变了。
[误] After her adding oil and vinegar to this affair, the nature of the whole matter has been completly altered.
[正] After her adding highly colored details to this affair, the nature of the whole matter has been completely
altered.

注:“油”和“醋”都是中国菜的重要调料,加了它们,菜的味道就不一样了。但西餐与中餐完全不同,所以在这里采取直译的方法
会使不了解中国饮食文化的西方人无法理解。

272. 我的表妹玛丽总觉得很孤单,我想这可能是因为她是个独生子女。
[误] My cousin Mary often feels lonely; I supose it's because she is a single child.
[正] My cousin Mary often feels lonely; I suppose it's because she is an only child.

注:only child 是一个固定搭配,而且 only 强调“唯一,只有一个”,而 single 常用于指“单身的”。例如:Mary is single(玛


丽还没有成家)。

273. 同时爱上海伦使这两个好朋友成了情敌。
[误] Falling in love with Helen simultaneously makes these two good friends become competitors in love.
[正] Falling in love with Helen simultaneously makes these two good friends become rivals in love.

注:rival in love 是固定搭配。而且,competitor 多用于比赛等特定环境中的竞争对手,而 rival 的使用范围则较为宽泛与笼


统。例如:business rival(商业上的竞争对手);a violinist without rivals(无与伦比的小提琴家)等。

274. 弱肉强食是自然法则。
[误] It's the law of nature for the stronger to eat the weaker.
[正] The law of jungle is the law of nature.

注:the law of jungle(丛林法则)就是“胜者为王”或“弱肉强食”。它形象、贴切,又不乏想象空间,比照字面直译更深刻地把


握了原文的内涵。又如:“人生的机遇是可遇而不可求的”就可以译为 Life is something of a lottery。因为拿彩票来比喻变幻
莫测的人生是再贴切不过了。

275. 他的理论没有科学根据。
[误] His theory has no scientific base.
[正] His theory has no scientific basis.

注:base 和 basis 虽然都有“基础”的含义,但 base 指物质上的、具体的“基础”,常表示“基地”或“根据地”,如:After


bombing the targets, the planes returned safely to their base;而 basis 则指理论、信念、思想或某项工作所依据的抽
象的“基础”或“根据”。

276. 如果你早将这些蔬菜放进冰箱里的话,它们就不会变黄了。
[误] If you had put these vegetables in the refrigerator earlier, they wouldn't have turned yellow.
[正] If you had put these vegetables in the refrigerator earlier, they wouldn't have rusted.

注:英语中用 rust(生锈)来描述蔬菜因失去水分和营养而变黄的状态。

277. 许多无名小国成了洗钱的天堂。
[误] Many small nabeless countries have become the heaven of money-washing.
[正] Many small nameless countries have become the heaven of money-laundering.

注:launder 的原意是“洗涤衣服”,但后来被引申为“洗黑钱”,即把来路不正的钱弄得貌似合法。

278. 他经历了一场刻骨铭心的网恋。
[误] He experienced an unforgettable net love.
[正] He experienced an unforgettable cyber love.

注:net 多实指,表示“网”或“网状物”,但“计算机网络”却不用它表达,而用 cyber 或 web。如:网吧(cyber cafe),网友


(cyber acquaintance),网迷)(web fan),网站(web site)等。

279. 我们一开始都把总裁当成了普通员工。
[误] We all took the president as an ordinary employee at first.
[正] We all took the president for an ordinary employee at first.

注:“take...for...”是“误把......当成......”的意思,而“take...as...”则表示“把......当......看待”,如:He took what she


said as a compliment(他把她的话看作是恭维)。

280. 这辆车的后窗玻璃上写着“教练车”。
[误] There is a sign on the rear window of the car, saying "coach car".
[正] There is a sign on the rear window of the car, saying "student car".
注:student 用作定语时可以表示“实习的”,所以“教练车”应用 student car 表示。

281. 你还教育起我来了!
[误] How dare you educate me.
[正] How dare you lecture me.

注:educate 虽然指“教育”,但不能表达原文“教育”中“教训”的含义。lecture 常做名词,如 give a lecture(讲课,演讲),


做动词时则有“训诫,说教”的意思,正好符合原义。

282. 人的贪欲是个无底洞。
[误] Human greed is a bottomless hole.
[正] Human greed is a bottomless pit.

注:bottomless hole 是典型的“中式英语”,因为地道的说法是 bottomless pit。而且 pit 有“深渊”的意思,也更能表达原


义。

283. 会上有许多观众。
[误] There was a large number of audience at the meeting.
[正] There was a large audience at the meeting.

注:audience 是集合名词,为“观众”的总称。所以“观众多”应说 a large audience,“观众少”则应说 a small audience。又


如:An audience of millions watched the royal wedding on TV(百万观众在电视上观看皇家婚礼)。

284. 音乐会很成功。我是昨天在报上看到这则消息的。
[误] The concert was a great success. I saw the news on the paper yesterday.
[正] The concert was a great success. I saw the news in the paper yesterday.

注:“登在报上”应用 in a newspaper,而“写在纸上”则用 on paper。注意,paper 前没有冠词。如:Please put the


notes on paper(请把笔记记在纸上)。

285. 抗日战争是1937年爆发的。
[误] The Anti-Japanese War was broken out in 1937.
[正] The Aunti-Japanese War broke out in 1937.

注:break out(战争等的爆发)是不及物动词短语,不能用于被动语态。类似的还有 happen, belong, disappear, fail,


take place 等。

286. 你认为这本小说怎么样?
[误] How do you think of the novel?
[正] What do you think of the novel? /How do you like the novel?

注:what do you think of 相当于 what's your opinion of, 而英语中无 how do you think of sth.的说法。

287. 在会上他做了一个总结,主要意思如下......
[误] He made a final report at the meeting. The main idea is as follow...
[正] He made a final report at the meeting. The main idea is as follows...

注:as follows 是个习语,不管后面要讲的内容有几项,follow 后面一律加s。

288. 请坐在座位上,不要出声。
[误] Please sit quietly in your seats.
[正] Please sit quiet in your seats.

注:sit 表状态时相当于联系动词,后面应接形容词。又如:Aunt Marry likes sitting idle(玛丽姑妈总喜欢呆坐着)。


289. 凯文是几兄弟中最热心的。
[误] Kevin is the most warm-hearted of his brothers.
[正] Kevin is the most warm-hearted of all the sons in the family. /Kevin is more warm-hearted than any of
his brothers.

注:“his brothers”并不包括凯文本人,所以用最高级不正确。

290. 不要打扰他的工作,他正忙着呢。
[误] Don't interfere in his work. He is very busy now.
[正] Don't interfere with his work. He is very busy now.

注:interfere with 才是“打扰,妨碍”的意思,而 interfere in 却表示“干涉”。如:This country is always interfering in


the internal affairs of other countries.(这个国家总是干涉他国的内政)。

291. 首先,你必须努力工作。
[误] At first, you must work hard.
[正] First, you must work hard.

注:at first 指“起初,开始的时候”,如:At first I found this question very difficult, but finally I managed to
answer it(一开始我觉得这个问题很难回答,不过最后我还是答出来了);first 才是指“首先”。又如:First, let me
introduce myself(首先,请允许我介绍一下我自己)。

292. 他们走到病床前,只见她脸黄黄的。
[误] They came to her sickbed and found her looking yellow.
[正] They came to her sickbed and found her looking pale and unwell.

注:显然,这句话如果直译外国人多半不懂,因为他们的肤色与我们的不同。所以应该直接把虚弱和病态表达出来,而不拘泥于
原文。

293. 她的工作就是收发信件。
[误] Her job is to receive and send letters.
[正] Her job is to send and receive letters.

注:我们用“收发”,而英国人是先“发”再“收”。英文的语序与中文常常相反,又如:“衣食无忧”是 not worry about food or


clothing;“迟早”是 sooner or later;“不论贫富”是 no matter rich or poor;“不管死活”应该翻译成 care little about
one's life or death。

294. 镇上的男男女女都爱打听人家的闲事儿。
[误] Women and men in the town are curious about others' private affairs.
[正] Men and women in the town are curious about others' private affairs.

注:值得注意的是,此处的“男男女女”中英文词序一致。另外,英文的 ladies and gentlemen 翻译成汉语与是“女士”在前。

295. 小心,病从口入!
[误] Beware! Disease comes from the mouth.
[正] Beware! A close mouth catches no flies.

注:这又体现了中英文思维角度的差异。一个是“入”,一个是“挡”。虽然说法不同,但都十分形象。

296. 他对什么都无所谓了 ---死猪不怕开水烫嘛!


[误] He cares about nothing ---a dead pig never fears boiling water.
[正] He cares about nothing ---a dead mouse feels no cold.

注:“死猪不怕开水烫”是一句十分形象的中国俗语,它在英语中也有对应表达,只不过喻体变成了“老鼠”,但也很妙哦!
297. 苦尽甘来。
[误] Sweet comes after bitterness.
[正] After rain comes the sunshine.

注:也许是中国人受饮食文化的影响,他们的比喻用“甜”和“苦”;而在天气多变的英国,人们更习惯用“风雨”和“阳光”做比吧!

298. 让我们详细讨论一下这个问题吧。
[误] Let's discuss this matter in details.
[正] Let's discuss this matter in detail.

注:in detail 一起相当于一个副词,指“详细地”;而 in details 中,details 是名词,指“细节”。所以,上面的句子也可以表达


为 Let's discuss the details of this matter 或 Let's go/enter into details。

299. 那位有钱的女人从头到脚都珠光宝气的。
[误] That rich woman is covered with jewellery from head to foot.
[正] That rich woman is covered with jewellery from top to toe.

注:虽然人有十个脚趾,但英语的“从头到脚”却要用单数的 toe 来表达,这也是约定俗成的问题。

300. 困境之中,我们需要能人帮助。
[误] We need a capable person to help us in time of difficulties.
[正] We need a capable person to help us in times of difficulties.

注:time 是指“时间,时候,时刻”,而表示“境况”要用 times。又如:What a times you'll have doing that(干那事可够


你受的);hard times(艰难时世)。times 还可表示“时代”,如:What wonderful times we live in(我们生活在多么了
不起的时代啊)。

301. 她可是当时有名的交际花。
[误] She was then a famous social flower.
[正] She was then a famous social butterfly.

注:我们中国人觉得“交际花”十分贴切,但直译成英文却会让人感到另据。butterfly 才是地道的英国说法呢。

302. 他逞酒后之勇说出了真相。
[误] He told the truth with the wine courage.
[正] He told the truth with the Dutch courage.

注:以前英国与荷兰关系紧张,所以英语中有很多讥讽荷兰人的说法,此处就是一例。因为英国人曾一度以为荷兰人都受酗酒,
所以 Dutch courage 就成了“酒后之勇”的代名词。

303. 我笑得肚子都痛了。
[误] I laughed until my belly ached.
[正] I laughed my head off.

注:在这里,英语表达可够夸张的 ---头都笑掉了!如果说汉语表达还合乎情理,那么这里的英文主要是起修辞效果了。

304. 那好时光却只是昙花一现。
[误] The good days were only the display of broad-leaved epiphyllum.
[正] The good days were only a nine days' wonder.

注:“昙花一现”在中文里是个成语,它在英文中的表达也是约定俗成的。你可以用 a nine days' wonder,也可以用 a flash


in the pan,你甚至可以说 last briefly。但象上面的那样的直译却是典型的中式英语,会贻笑大方的。

305. 我那骄傲的邻居居然被三岁小孩愚弄了,真是自己打自己的嘴巴。
[误] My arrogant neighbor was fooled by a three-year-old child. It's really like beating his own face.
[正] My arrogant neighbor was fooled by a three-year-old child, and he had to eat crow.

注:eat drow(吃乌鸦)是个地道的美国口语,它指“做使自己丢脸的事”,如“被迫收回成命或承认错误”等。用在这里既能准确
表达愿意,又十分地道。

306. 要使中国的农民富起来不是短时期内能办到的事。
[误] It is not a matter that can be settled in a short period of time to make Chinese farmers rich.
[正] It is not a matter that can be settled in a short period of time to improve Chinese farmers' living
conditions.

注:在英语中,rich 是一种很高的生活水准,要相当富有。很显然,这里的“富起来”远谈不上 rich,只是生活有所提高的意思,


即 have some improvement。此处把 rich 换成 better-off 也可以。

307. 经过一年的刻苦钻研,琳达取得了很大成就。
[误] Linda has made great achievements after one year's hard research.
[正] Linda has had/recorded/scored great achievements after one year's hard research.

注:“取得成就”的固定搭配是“have/record/score achievements”,而“make achievements”却不是地道的英文说法,我们


常用的是 make progress。

308. 学校是学生学知识的殿堂。
[误] School is a palace where students learn knowledge.
[正] School is a palace where students acquire/attain knowledge.

注:learn 后一般只接具体的学习内容,如 learn English(学英语),learn to play basketball(学打篮球)等。但宽泛


的“学知识”不能用 learn,而应用 acquire/obtain knowledge,因为那才是地道的表达。

309. 他向兔子开了枪,但还是让它逃脱了。
[误] He shot the rabbit but it managed to escape.
[正] He shot at the rabbit but it managed to escape.

注:shot 单独用有“射中”或“射死”的意思,用在这里显然前后矛盾。又如:She shot the wolf jumping on her(她射死了扑


向她的狼)。shot at 才表示“朝......瞄准”,而不管是否射中。

310. 许多媒体拒绝对这件丑闻发表意见。
[误] Many media refuse to express their opinions on this scandal.
[正] Many media refuse to comment on this scandal.

注:虽然 express one's opinion 和 comment on 都有发表意见的意思,但前者随意,后者正式。又如:Would you


please express your opinion on this piece of essay?(能说说你对这篇文章的看法吗?)

311. 最终,政府不得不对酒的生产和销售采取强硬政策。
[误] Eventually the government has to apply strong policies to alcohol producing and purchasing.
[正] Eventually the government has to apply tough policies to alcohol producing and purchasing.

注:这种错误源于对词义理解不准确。“强硬”要用 tough 表达,而说一个人强壮应该用 strong。

312. 爱玛省吃俭用,为的是攒钱买书。
[误] Emma saves food and expenses to accumulate more money for books.
[正] Emma lives frugally to save up more money for books.

注:save 是指“省下,把......存起来”。我们常说 save time, save money 等,但“省吃俭用”是指把买食物的钱和其他花费都


存下来买书,这显然不能用 save food and expenses 表达,因为英语的 save food 是指“把食物存起来”。
313. 伍德斯先生担心他的客人被风吹病了。
[误] Mr. Woodhouse was afraid that his guests might be blown sick by the wind.
[正] Mr. Woodhouse was afraid that his guests might fall ill because of exposure to the wind.

注:sick 是自己感到不舒服,所以“被风吹病”一说会令英国人觉得很荒谬。

314. 茶树在这片山地上长得很好。
[误] Tea trees grow well in these mountain fields.
[正] Tea grows well in these mountain fields.

注:“茶树”、“果树”等在翻译成英语时常常省略 tree,因为这些词本身就包含“树”的意思。如 orange(橘子树),banana


(香蕉树)等。

315. 淡季生意不好做。
[误] It's hard to do business in light seasons.
[正] It's hard to do business in slack seasons.

注:“淡”在英语中往往不用 light 表示。又如:“淡茶”(weak tea),“淡水”(fresh water)等。

316. 这可是件大事!
[误] This is a big thing!
[正] This is an important matter!

注:big thing 是指“体积大的东西”,而“大事”是指“重要的事情”,它也可以用 major issue 来表达。所以中文的“大”不一定对


应英文的“big”,如:“大雾”的表达就是“thick fog”。

317. 该停机检查故障了。
[误] It is time that we stop the machine and find the trouble.
[正] It is time that we stopped the machine and found the trouble.

注:It is time that...表示“是......的时候了”,其后的从句应采用过去时态,这是虚拟语气的要求。

318. 今天我要到叔叔家拜年。
[误] I'll go to visit my uncle and say "Happy New Year" to him today.
[正] I'll pay a New Year call to my uncle today.

注:“拜年”用英文怎么说一定难倒了很多人。第一句译文不是不对,而是没有后一句好。“拜年”还可以被说成 wish sb. a


Happy New Year,如:Auntie, we've come to wish you a Happy New Year(大妈,我们给您拜年来了)。

319. 近几年我国的第三产业增长很快。
[误] For the latest couple of years the third industry in our country has been developing very rapidly.
[正] For the latest couple of years the tertiary industry in our country has been developing very rapidly.

注:“第一产业”是 the primary industry,“第二产业”是 the secondary industry,但“第三产业”不是 the third industry,
而是 the tertiary industry。其实,tertiary 与 third 是同义的,都是“第三”的意思,这样用只是约定俗成。另外,“第三产
业”还可以说成 the service industry,因为第三产业主要指服务业。

320. 适当保持低调是维护好的公众形象的窍门。
[误] To keep an adequately low tone is a tip to maintain good public impression.
[正] To be adequately low-keyed is a tip to maintain good public impression.

注:tone 指“音调”或“口气”,是实指。如:She always speaks with a rising tone(她讲话总是用升调)。而这里的“低


调”是“不张扬”的意思,应用 low-keyed 或 low-key。如:The wedding is a very low-key affair/The wedding is very
low-keyed(婚礼办得很低调)。
321. 恭喜发财。
[误] May you become wealthy.
[正] May you be prosperous. /Wish you all the best.

注:“恭喜发财”是句祝福语,不能直译,应按照英语的习惯。

322. 他不得不口是心非地夸她的晚装很漂亮。
[误] He had to say "yes" in the mouth but "no" in the heart when he praised her for her beautiful dress.
[正] He had to say "yes" but mean "no" when he praised her for her beautiful dress.

注:第二句更为地道简洁。

323. 他俩上中学时堕入爱河,那时被别人称作早恋,但十年后他们竟真的结为夫妻了。
[误] They fell in love with each other when they were middle school students, and that was called "early love"
by others. But ten years later, they actually get married.
[正] They fell in love with each other when they were middle school students, and that was called "puppy love"
by others. But ten years later, they actually get married.

注:“早恋”指未成年男女过早地涉足爱情,它一般被认为是不成熟和不宜提倡的。在英语中,“早恋”的地道说法是 puppy love


或 calf love。如:He is mad about his biology teacher, but it's only puppy love.

324. 这些人情况不同,不能采取一刀切的政策。
[误] These people are in different situations, so we cannot adopt the policy of cutting with one knife in dealing
with them.
[正] These people are in different situations, so we cannot adopt the policy of cutting at one stroke in dealing
with them.

注:“一刀切”不是使用同一把刀切东西,而是比喻不顾实际情况的不同而采取相同的处理方法。stroke 在这里指一刀切下去的
动作,所以用作比喻非常形象。

325. 一次性筷子的用量猛增,加重了环境的负担,也加速了森林的破坏。
[误] Booming use of one-time-only chopsticks increases the burden of our environment and accelerates the
destruction of woods.
[正] Booming use of throw-away chopsticks increases the burden of our ecvironment and accelerates the
destruction of woods.

注:“一次性”就是“用完就扔”的意思。第一种说法虽然不错,但不符合英语习惯。英语中还有一个词可以表示“一次性”,那就是
disposable,如:disposable syringes(一次性注射器)等。

326. 摇钱树
[误] money tree
[正] cash cow

注:中文有“摇钱树”之说,而英语中也有 cash cow(产现金的牛)的比喻。这二者虽然一个是“树”,一个是“牛”,但含义却是


一样的,而且在各自的语言中都十分地道。

327. 希望工程自创建以来已经帮助了无数的贫困学生。
[误] The Hope Project has helped numerous poor students ever since it was founded.
[正] The Project Hope has helped numerous poor students ever since it was founded.

注:这种专用名词往往有其固定的说法,你在可不必追究为什么“希望”在后,“工程”在前,记住就是了。

328. 无氟冰箱一上市就领导了一场“环保革命”。
[误] No-Freon refrigerator leads an "environmental revolution on its going to the market.
[正] Freon-free refrigerator leads an "environmental revolution" on its going to the market.
注:“无......”一般都译成 free,如:“无烟区”就是 smoke-free zones。

329. 水墨画是一项中国传统艺术。
[误] Water and ink painting is one of Chinese traditional arts.
[正] Ink and wash painting is one of Chinese traditional arts.

注:“水墨画”在英语里的对应说法除了 ink and wash painting,还有 Chinese brush drawing。但 water and ink
painting 却是中式英语。

330. 他的身体素质一直很差,终年疾病不断。
[误] He has got very poor physical quality with continuous illnesses all the year round.
[正] He has got very poor physical constitution with continuous illnesses all the year round.

注:虽然“素质”常翻译成 quality,如:Do you think she possesses the necessary managerial qualities to do this
job?(你认为她具有从事这个工作所必须的管理素质吗?)但“身体素质”却要用 physical constitution(体格)来表达。

331. 神州行电话卡在国内使用得很普遍。
[误] The telephone cards of Walking Around Shenzhou are widely used in China.
[正] The Shenzhou pre-paid telephone cards are widely used in China.

注:这也是一个专用名词,有固定的译法。只有平时多留心,注意积累,在翻译这类词语时才不会像狗咬刺猬似地无从下手笔。

332. 公司股票上市以后筹集到了很多资本。
[误] After the stocks going to the market, the company collected a large amount of capital.
[正] After the stocks being listed, the company collected a large amount of capital.

注:普通商品的“上市”可以说 go to the market,但金融领域的“上市”,如公司、股票、证券等的上市却要用 be listed。又


如:上市公司(listed companies),上市证券(listed securities)等。

333. 许多公司之间存在着三角债。
[误] There exist triangle debts among many corporations.
[正] There exist chain debts among many corporations.

注:“三角恋爱”可以译成 triangle love,但“三角债”不行。因为很多情况下,三角债都不仅仅牵涉三方,这里的“三”是指“多”,


所以不能与英文的 triangle 对应。chain debts 才是正确的英文表达。

334. 不能共患难的朋友
[误] friend who can not suffer with you
[正] fair-weather friend

注:fair-weather 是指“好天气”。我们中国人不也经常用“凄风苦雨”比喻生活中的挫折,而用“风和日丽”来形容人生的坦途吗?
所以 fair-weather 在这里是“只能同甘、不能共苦”的意思,而 fair-weather friend 也是原文最地道的英文说法。另外你知
道“全天候飞机”怎么说吗?是 all-weather aircraft,意思是无论什么天气都能飞行。

335. 朦胧诗在当时十分流行。
[误] Vague poems were very popular at that time.
[正] Misty poems were very popular at that time.

注:misty 指像隔着一层薄雾一样,隐隐约约地只见轮廓,但看不真切,却给人无限的遐想。它准确表达和肯定了朦胧诗给人的
感觉。而 vague 一般指表达不清楚或容易引起歧义的,常含贬义。

336. 不正之风不能长。
[误] We shouldn't let bad winds develop.
[正] Bad practice should not be promoted.
注:“不正之风”在这里有比喻意义,是“不良风气”和“错误做法”的意思,所以不能翻译成 bad winds,而应译为 bad/harmful
practice 或 unhealthy tendency 等。

337. 他这么年轻就已经当上了英语系的副教授。
[误] Young as he is, he has become a vice-professor in English department.
[正] Young as he is, he has become an associate professor in English department.

注:许多人都知道“副总统”叫 vice-president,于是想当然地以为“副教授”就应该是 vice-professor,其实不对。“副”和


vice- 并不总是一一对应的,又如:副产品(by production),副业(side occupation),副作用(by-effect)等。

338. 他们去的时候只有站票了。
[误] There were only standing tickets available when they went there.
[正] There were standing-room-only tickets available when they went there.

注:“站票”不是指票是站着的,而是指持票人只有站的空间,没有坐的位子。所以,正确的译法是 standing-room-only
ticket。

339. 君子之交淡如水。
[误] The friendship between gentlemen is as tasteless as water.
[正] The friendship between gentlemen is as pure as crystal.

注:中国人用水来表示纯洁,但英美人习惯用水晶来比喻。而且,tasgeless 在英文中表示淡而无味的,含有贬义,所以直译会
令西方人误解。

340. 虎父无犬子。
[误] A father like a tiger will not have a son like a dog.
[正] A wise goose never lays a tame egg.

注:英美人看了第一句译文也许会无知所云,或者感到好笑。而第二个句子与中文的意思大致相同,但却是英语中的地道说法。

341. 这件事告诉我们,他并不像我们想象的那样诚实。
[误] This tells us that he is not so honest as we thought.
[正] This shows that he is not so honest as we thought.

注:中文用的是拟人的修辞手法,但在这句话上英国人很较真,他们认为“事情”是不会像人一样开口说话的,只能 show(表
明)。

342. 玛丽姨妈最喜欢喝花茶了,所以妈妈让我多带些给她。
[误] Flower tea is Aunt Mary's favorite, so Mom asked me to bring a lot to her.
[正] Scented tea is Aunt Mary's favorite, so Mom asked me to bring a lot to her.

注:“花茶”的地道说法是 scented tea,但有些具体的花茶有它们自己的名称,如“茉莉花茶”就是 jasmine tea。

343. 如果不解决这些人的生活问题,社会就无法安定。
[误] There will be no social stability unless these peopl's living problems have been solved.
[正] There will be no social stability unless these people's daily needs have been met/satisfied.

注:living problems 会让人误以为是“住房问题”,译成problems of livelihood 又太抽象了。其实这里的“解决生活问题”就是


满足日常生活的需要,而英语中的 meet/satisfy the daily needs 正是这个意思的地道说法。

344. 换季的时候,商场会推出许多特价品来促销。
[误] On the shifting of seasons, department stores will take out many special-priced goods to promote their
selling.
[正] On the shifting of seasons, department stores will take out many bargain goods to promote their selling.
注:“特价品”就是降价促销的商品,而 special-priced goods 没有把其中的意思清楚表达出来。bargain goods 指便宜货,
是“特价品”的地道说法。

345. 现在,竹制品越来越多地用于装饰。
[误] Nowadays bamboo-made goods are more and more used as decorations.
[正] Nowadays bamboo-wares are more and more used as decorations.

注:“......制品”,即“用什么原料制成的物品”,在英语中常用 wares 表示,如:brass wares(黄铜制品),glass wares


(玻璃制品),wooden wares(木制品)等。

346. 他掩护他们小组撤退,而且因为这一行动而受到表扬。
[误] He was praised for the act of covering the retreat of his group.
[正] He was praised for the action of covering the retreat of his group.

注: act 指具体、短暂和简单的行为,它侧重于效果,如:He was caught in the act of stealing(他正行窃时被当场抓


获)。而 action 指抽象、持续和复杂的行为,它侧重于行为的过程及作用。

347. 睢你像只落汤鸡!
[误] You look like a bedraggled chicken!
[正] You look like a drowned rat!

注:bedraggled 是形容词,指“全身泥污的,湿透的”。第一句是直译,它虽然保留了原文的形象,但不符合英美人的表达习
惯。而 a drowned rat/mouse 就十分地道了。

348. 正在做坏事时却被父亲逮到了,他吓得面如土色。
[误] He was caught by his father while doing something bad, and his face turned to the color of earth.
[正] Caught red-handed by his father, he was as white as a sheet.

注:西方人以白种人居多,他们无论受到怎样的惊吓都不会面如土色的,除非生了什么病。所以直译会令他们费解,不如按他们
的习惯来说。

349. 免 费入场
[误] free to enter
[正] entrance free

注:entrance free 是英语的固定表达,它相当于 admission free。海报上的 admission/entrance free,就表示人们不用买


票就可进场。而 free to enter 则让人觉得“可以随意进出”而无视礼貌。

350. 母细胞和子细胞
[误] mother sells and son cells
[正] parent cells and daughter cells

注:这是约定俗成的用法。

351. 人和动物不同,是有理性的。
[误] Man, different from animals, is a rational being.
[正] Man, different from other animals, is a rational being.

注:我们平常所说的“动物”是狭义的,不包括人,而且把人称作动物无异于在骂人。但英语的 animal 却是广义的,包括人,所


以上面的句子应该加 other 才严谨、正确。

352. 那天晚上,这男子喝得烂醉如泥,连回家的路都找不着了。
[误] That night, the man was as drunk as mud and even lost his way home.
[正] That night, the man was as drunk as a fiddler and even lost his way home.
注:中文用“稀泥”来形容醉得很厉害,而英文却用“小提琴”来比喻醉汉。据说以前的提琴手所得的报酬是酒而不是钱,因此常常
是不醉不归。了解了这一典故以后,这个英语说法也就不难记忆了。

353. 这农民还上诉,简直是以卵击石。
[误] Lodging an appeal, the farmer is no less than hurling an egg against a rock.
[正] Lodging an appeal, the farmer is no less than kicking against the pricks.

注:prick 指“(赶牲畜用的)刺棒”。牲畜挨了打,气得踢那根用来打它的刺棒,这不是明显的自讨苦吃吗?kick against the


pricks 来自《圣经》故事,可算是历史悠久,而且与我们的“以卵击石”有异曲同工之妙。

354. 天网恢恢,逃逸了两年之久的罪犯终于落网了。
[误] The web of God is so broad that the criminal who had been away for as long as two years was finally
caught.
[正] The mills of God grind slowly and the criminal who had been away for as long as two years was finally
caught.

注:“天网恢恢”后面常省略“疏而不漏”,它是指法律的效力无处不在,犯罪分子必将受到惩罚。相同的意思,而英文却用“上帝的
磨碾得极慢(但却很细)”来表达。

355. 天完全黑了,可怜的姑娘掩面而泣,不知道去哪里寻找走失的妹妹。
[误] It was completely dark, and the poor girl cried with her face covered, not knowing where to find her lost
sister.
[正] It was completely dark, and the poor girl put the finger in her eyes, not knowing where to find her lost
sister.

注:“掩面而泣”在英语中有一个固定表达,即 put the finger in one's eyes。它来自莎翁的创造,后来又在许多童谣中被引


述,广为流传,并成为习惯用语。

356. 你不必担心,他是个知道分寸的人。
[误] You can rest assured. He is a man who knows inches and metres.
[正] You can rest assured. He is a man who knows his distance.

注:“分寸”二字在中文里是指“说话或做事的恰当限度”,它译成英文时不可直译。know one's distance 出自莎士比亚的《终成


眷属》,而且准确表达了原文的含义。

357. 在这里工作多年,她算是个了解内幕的人,因此告诉了我们许多鲜为人知的故事。
[误] Having worked here for many years, she is one of those who know what goes on behind the scenes, and
is able to tell us a lot of things which are unknown to most people.
[正] Having worked here for many years, she is one of those who know the ropes, and is able to tell us a lot of
things which are unknown to most people.

注:“内幕”翻译成 what goes on behind the scenes 固然没错,但 know the ropes 更简洁。我们还可以用 know the
inside stories 表示相同的意思。

358. 叫他卷铺盖走人吧!
[误] Ask him to roll his quilt and go!
[正] Give him the sack!

注:“卷铺盖走人”和 give sb. the sack 都是“解雇”的意思,即“炒某人的鱿鱼”,而且这两个表达在各自的文化背景中都十分形


象。sack 指“袋子”,它表示“解雇”源于17世纪,而且来自法文。属口语用法。

359. 他们的目光相遇了,两人从此坠入了爱河。
[误] Their eyesight met, and they fell in love with each other ever since.
[正] Their eyes met, and they fell in love with each other ever since.
注:“目光”不能用 eyesight 表达,因为 eyesight 只能指“视力”,如:If you eat a lot of fish, you can have good
eyesight(多吃鱼会使你的视力好)。而 eye 不仅表示“视力”,还可以指“眼光”。如:a good eye for distance(能看很远的
好视力)和 She met his eye across the room(隔着房间,她与他的目光相遇了)。

360. 自古以来人们就知道“伴君如伴虎”。
[误] people have known that accompanying kings is just like accompanying tigers even since the ancient times.
[正] People have known that kings and bears often worry their keepers even since the ancient times.

注:第一句译文西方人未必明白其中的含义,而第二句不仅将原文的意思准确表达出来了,还按照英语的习惯,把君王比
作“熊”,十分地道。

361. 左腿中弹以后,这位勇敢的士兵明白,在获救之前他只能咬紧牙关默默忍受了。
[误] Being shot in the left leg, the brave soldier knew that he had to bite his teeth silently before getting
rescued.
[正] Being shot in the left leg, the brave soldier knew that he had to bite the bullet silently before getting
rescued.

注:我们用“咬紧牙关”来表达忍受痛苦,而英语中却用“咬住子弹”(bite the bullet)。据说它源于以前战场上条件艰苦,连麻约


都没有,接受手术的士兵只有靠咬住子弹来使自己不至于疼得叫出声来。这一说法虽然惨烈了一点,但却具有极强的感染力。

362. 你以为会凭空写出文章吗?你不能做无米之炊,所以还是先去搜集资料吧。
[误] Do you think you could write something out of nothing? You cannot make a meal without rice. So gather
some information first!
[正] Do you think you could write something out of nothing? You cannot make bricks without straw. So gather
some information first!

注:米饭对西方人来说并不那么重要,所以把“无米之炊”直译成英文他们是无法理解的。英语中地道的说法是拿“砖”和“稻草”做
比喻,而且据说还有来自《圣经》的典故呢。

363. 她以前是个传统的中国女孩,可出国一年以后,也已经变成了一个地道的美国人。
[误] She was a traditional Chinese girl before, but after one year abroad, she has become a real American.
[正] She was a traditional Chinese girl before, but after one year abroad, she has become as American as
apple pie.

注:“苹果馅饼”是典型的美国食品,用它来表达“地道的美国式”是再合适不过了。需要提醒大家注意的是,这里的 apple pie 虽


用单数,但前面却不加冠词,又如:It's as easy as pie(这太容易了)。另外,这里不能用 a real American,因为她毕竟不
是美国人。但可以将 real 换成 typical。

364. 这个问题对我们来说虽然困难,但对一个数学专业的学生却易如反掌。
[误] The question, though difficult for us, is as easy as turning over his palm for a mathematics major.
[正] The question, though difficult for us, is as easy as winking for a mathematics major.

注:“易如反掌”在英语中却是“像眨眼睛一样地容易”。它们虽然表达不同,但都贴切得让人叫绝。

365. 虽然是双胞胎,但这两兄弟的性格却截然不同。
[误] Though the two brothers are twins, their dispositions are quite different.
[正] Though the two brothers are twins, their dispositons are as like as chalk and cheese.

注:虽然是“不同”,但却不用 different,而是用 alike(相同的)。chalk 和 cheese 形似而实不同,这看似矛盾的措辞用在这


里倒能产生令人难忘的效果。

366. 在商场混迹多年,这人十分有钱,但却是个铁公鸡。
[误] Being in business for so many years, he has made a lot of money, but he is as mean as an iron cock.
[正] Being in business for so many years, he has made a lot of money, but he is as mean as a louse.
注:louse 指“虱子”或“寄生虫”。这种不生物什么都要从别人身上索取,用它来比喻吝啬也是十分贴切的。

367. 叔叔给他带来了令他惊喜的礼物---一双崭新的皮鞋。
[误] His uncle has brought him a surprising gift---a pair of completely new shoes.
[正] His uncle has brought him a pleasantly surprising gift---a pair of brand new shoes.

注:surprising 只能表达“令人吃惊的”,所以要忠实体现原文意思需要在前面加 pleasantly;“崭新”的地道说法是 brand


new。

368. 病人坐在里排的桌前吃饭,大粒的汗从额上滚下,夹袄也贴住了脊心,两块肩胛骨高高凸出,印成一个阳文的“八”字。
[误] The patient was sitting at the table by the wall, eating. Beads of sweat stood out on his forehead, his
lined jacket was sticking to his spine, and his shoulder blades stuck out so sharply, an "eight" seemed
stamped there.
[正] The patient was sitting at the table by the wall, eating. Beads of sweat stood out on his forehead, his
lined jacket was sticking to his spine, and his shoulder blades stuck out so sharply, an inverted V seemed
stamped there.

注:第一句其实翻译得不错,就是“八”字的英文表达不妥。要知道汉字的书写与英文完全不同,若译成 eight 英国人是不懂的。


an inverted V(一个反的英文字母V)就化腐朽为神奇了。

369. 这位老农大概有三四个孩子,而且他们现在都长大成人,可以在地里干活了。
[误] The old farmer has about three or four children, who have now grown up and are able to work in the
fields.
[正] The old farmer has three or four children, who have now grown up and are able to work in the fields.

注:汉语可以说“大约有三四个孩子”,但翻译成英语却不行。因为 about 后面不能接约数,而应该接确定的数目。即:要么去


掉 about,只用 three or four;要么用 about,但后面接 three 等具体的数字。

370. 每个周末,玛丽都会陪年迈的祖父去看电影。
[误] Every weekend, Mary would accompany her old grandfather to go to the cinema.
[正] Every weekend, Mary would accompany her old grandfather to the cinema.

注:accompany 常被翻译成“陪同”,所以人们在翻译“陪某人看电影”时,会很自然地用 accompany sb. to go to the


cinema。其实,查英英词典你就会发现,accompany 的意思不是 together with,而是 go togethr with。所以上述情况中
其后的 to go 明显是多余的。

371. 他又犯了一个拼写错误。
[误] He made another spelling mistake again.
[正] He made another spelling mistake.

注:another spelling mistake 就有“又犯”的意思,所以句中的 again 应该删去。不能因为汉语中有一个“又”字就在英语句子


中加 again。

372. 学生们被告知,任何人都不得把这些书籍带出阅览室。
[误] The students were told that anyone was not allowed to take the books out of the reading room.
[正] The students were told that nobody / no one was allowed to take the books out of the reading room.

注:anybody 作主语时,谓语部分使用否定词不符合英语的习惯,应将 anybody 改为 nobody,并将否定词 not 删去。又


如:你喜欢的食物没有一种是适合我吃的(Nothing you like agrees with me)。

373. 这是莎士比亚十四行诗的主要特点之一。
[误] This is one of the main characters of Shakespeare's sonnets.
[正] This is one of the main characteristics of Sharkespeare's sonnets.

注:character 是表示某一事物的总体特征(the combination of qualities which make a thing different from


others),而 characteristic 则表示事物的具体特征。由此说来,一个事物只有一个 character,但却可以有多个
characteristic。所以在上面的例句中,one of the main characters 是错误的,应该改成 one of the main
characteristics。又如:A person's character is always formed in his early years(一个人的性格通常在小时候养成);
Carelessness is one of his characteristics(粗心是他的一个特点)。

374. 他在艺术界有极高的地位。
[误] He has occupied a prominent position in the art circle.
[正] He has occupied a prominent position in art circles.

注:circle 表示“......界”时习惯用复数形式,而且前面多不加定冠词,如:cultural/academic/theatrical/business circles


(文化/学术/戏剧/商界)。

375. 大赛在即,每个动力员都在努力训练,以期刷新自己以前的纪录。
[误] The game is at hand and every athlete is training hard to improve their previous records.
[正] The game is at hand and every athlete is training hard to improve on their previous records.

注:improve 指“改善,提高”,如 improve one's language ability(提高某人的语言能力)。在英国人看来,以前的纪录


(previous records)是既成事实,不可能再加以改变(improve)了,所以应该在 improve 后面加上介词 on,以表示创造
新的、更高的纪录。

376. 不要再费口舌了。
[误] Don't waste your words again.
[正] Save your breath.

注:save one's breath 有时也被说成 save one's energy,它对应的中文还可以是“白费力气”。你知道“白费心思”用英语怎


么说吗?是 bother one's head for nothing。

377. 这个看上去很忠实的保姆实际上是一个惯愉。凯文一家真是引狼入室了。
[误] This seemingly honest baby-sitter is actually a habitual thief. The Kevin's do lead the wolf into the house.
[正] This seemingly honest baby-sitter is actually a habitual thief. The Kevin's do put the cat among the
pigeons.

注:put the cat among the pigeons 的字面意思是“将猫放进鸽子笼”。可以想象,那样的话笼子里一定不得安宁。它与“引狼


入室”有异曲同工之妙,而且更地道,更易于西方人理解。

378. 在院足球队里叱咤风云的威廉到了校队却只能坐冷板凳。
[误] William, who was so popular in the department team, is given a cold bench in the university team.
[正] William, who was so popular in the department team, is given a cold shoulder in the university team.

注:give sb. a/the cold shoulder 的字面意思是“给某人一个冷肩膀”。当不看重某人和对其冷淡的时候,人们往往会把身体转


过去,用背或肩膀对着他。这与“坐冷板凳”的意思相同,而且比直译地道多了。

379. 经过一夜的围捕,警察终于把罪犯逼到了死胡同。
[误] After a night's pursuing, the police finally forced the criminal to a dead alley.
[正] After a night's pursuing, the police finally forced the criminal to a blind alley.

注:“死胡同”的英文表述是 blind alley 或 dead end。

380. 如果你爷爷看到你今天的所作所为,他一定会死不瞑目的。
[误] If your grandpa could see what you're doing now, he wouldn't have closed his eyes when he died.
[正] If your grandpa could see what you're doing now, he would turn over in his grave.

注:“死不瞑目”的意思是“死时尚存遗憾”或“灵魂得不到安息”。若将其直译出来西方人很可能感到费解,所以建议采取意译的方
式。除了上面的译法,还可以用 die with everlasting regret 或 die discontent 等。
381. 为了配合治疗,大夫不得不撒了个善意的谎,说病情并不严重。
[误] For better treatment, the doctor told him a goodwill lie saying his illness is nothing serious.
[正] For better treatment, the doctodr told him a white lie saying his illness is nothing serious.

注:a white lie 是英语的固定搭配,指“善意的谎言”。

382. 最近许多女孩都鬼迷心窍似的一心只想嫁个外国人。
[误] Nowadays, many girls seem to be bewitched by ghosts and they are determined to marry foreigners.
[正] Nowadays, many girls seem to have a bee in their bonnets and they are determined to marry foreigners.

注:have a bee in one's bonnet 的字面意思是“帽子里有只蜜蜂”,但它的真正意思是“想得入了迷”,与“鬼迷心窍”是一个意


思。又如:She never stops talking about dieting---she's got a real bee in her bonnet about it(她不停地谈论节
食---完全鬼迷心窍了)。

383. 那位顾客同买东西的人讨价还价,嘴皮都磨破了,可那人就是不降价。
[误] The customer bargained with the seller till he had worn out his lips, but the seller didn't change his price.
[正] The customer had worn out his tongue bargaining with the seller, but the seller didn't change his price.

注:中文用“嘴皮”,但 tongue 却更符合英国人的习惯。另外,“保持缄默”的英文是 bite the ongue。

384. 现在,有些子女虽然已经成家,却还住在父母家白吃白喝。
[误] Nowadays, some young people still stay at their parents' home eating and drinking free, even after
having their own families.
[正] Nowadays, some young people are still freeloaders at their parents' home, even after having their own
families.

注:freeloader 指“利用别人的慷慨占便宜的人”或“寄生虫”,用在这里十分准确和地道。

385. 梅森的辞职对老板来说是正中下怀,他不仅可以除去梅森这个眼中钉,而且还省去了一大笔赔偿费。
[误] Mason's resignation well fit his boss' mind, because he could not only get rid of Mason, a nail in the eye,
but also save a large sum of compensation.
[正] Mason's resignation well played into his boss' hands, because he could not only get rid of Mason, a thorn
in his flesh, but also save a large sum of compensation.

注:play into one's hands 源于扑克牌游戏,意指打出的牌正是对方想要的,而且多含“中了对方的圈套”之意,因而用在这里


十分贴切。“眼中钉”在英语中也有对应的表达,即 a thorn in one's flesh。

386. 昨天晚上我们去看电影了。
[误] We went to the cinema yesterday night.
[正] We went to the cinema last night.
. We went to the cinema yeserday evening.

注:习惯上可以说 last night 或 yesterday evening,但不能说 yesterday night。但是,我们可以说 yesterday


morning/afternoon(昨天早晨/下午),而不说 last morning/afternoon。

387. 你今年多大了?
[误] How old are you this year?
[正] How old are you?

注:汉语中常说“你今年多大年纪?”,但英语却不习惯说 this year,因为事实上没有问“今年/去年/来年多大年纪?”这样的问


题的。

388. 这个省的粮食产量逐年增加。
[误] The grain output in this province has increased year after year.
[正] The grain output in this province has increased year by year.
注:year after year(年复一年地)和 year by year(逐年地)的区别在于:后者分别看待年份;而前者集中看待年份
(含“年年如此”甚至有“长此以往”之义。)根据原意,应选用 year by year。

389. 让我们响应党的号召,坚持一切正确的东西,反对一切错误的东西。
[误] Let us respond to the Party's call and uphold all the correct and oppose all the wrong.
[正] Let us respond to the Party's call and uphold all that is right and oppose all that is wrong.

注:“一切正确的东西”,不能译成 all the correct,“一切错误的东西”,不能译成 all the wrong,因为这种说法不合乎英语习


惯。

390. 这本小说的作者是谁?
[误] Who is the writer of this novel?
[正] Who is the author of this novel?

注:writer 是“作家”,范围比较广;author 是“作者”,指文章、小说、书本的著作者。

391. 成千上万的人来到这里向战争纪念碑敬献花圈。
[误] Thousands and thousands of people came and laid bouquets at the war memorial.
[正] Thousands and thousands of people came and laid wreaths at the war memorial.

注:wreath 是“花环,花冠,花圈”,可表示纪念死者所用的花圈等,bouquet 指的是“花束”,用于喜庆的场合,如婚礼上新娘


所手持者。

392. 昨晚台风袭击上海郊区,许多人受伤了。
[误] Last night a typhoon hit the suburban areas of Shanhai and many people were wounded.
[正] Last night a typhoon hit the suburban areas of Shanhai and many people were injured.

注:wound 指在战争、战斗中“负伤”或用枪弹、炮弹、锐利刀、剑等故意施加的“伤害”。在事故中受到的损伤,如在交通事
故,工伤事故和天灾中所受的伤用 injure。

393. 我以前有过一辆大众轿车。
[误] I would have a Volkswagen.
[正] I used to have a Volkswagen.

注:虽然 would 和 used to 都可以表示过去习惯性的动作,但 used to 还可以表示过去的状态,而 would 却不能。

394. 奇怪,鲍勃会在那个转角处出了事。
[误] It is strange that Bob would have an accident at that corner.
[正] It is strange that Bob should have an accident at that corner.

注:在以 it is + 形容词 + that 引导的句子中,用 should + 动词原型表示欣喜、惊奇、忧虑等感情色彩。在这类句型中,只


能用 should,不能用 would。如果表示的是过去发生的事,should 后面要用不加 to 的不定式的完成时态。

395. 我宁愿你明天来看我。
[误] I would rather you will come to see me tomorrow.
[正] I would rather you came to see me tomorrow.

注:would rather(也可用 had rather)后面跟从句时,从句中的动词总是用过去式,不管指的是现在或将来发生的动作。

396. “你觉得电影好看吗?”“还可以,但我宁愿去听音乐会。”
[误] Did you enjoy the movie? It was okay, but I would rather went to the concert.
[正] Did you enjoy the movie? It was okay, but I would rather have gone to the concert.

注:would rather do sth. 的过去时是在 would rather 后接 have + 过去分词,表示的是对过去未做之事的向往,或对已做


之事的后悔。

397. “请再来点咖啡好吗?”“不,不要了,谢谢。”
[误] Would you like some more coffee? No, I wouldn't like any more.
[正] Would you like some more coffee? No, I don't want any more.

注:would you like...是一种表示客气的询问对方“是否想要(什么)”的口语句型,它只用于第二人称,因此,在回答进,由于


说的是自己,就不能再按惯例用 would,而是肯定时用 Yes, please;否定时用“No,I don't want...”。

398. “你喜欢喝下午茶吗?”
[误] "Would you like to have tea in the afternoon?"
[正] "Do you like to have tea in the afternoon?"

注:Would you like to do sth. 这一句型一般用于邀请等,表示一次性的动作。当询问一个习惯的动作时,不能用这一句型,


要用 Do you like...?(你喜欢......?)

399. 我们是未来的教师。
[误] We are would-be teachers.
[正] We are future[或 prospective] teachers.

注:would-be teachers 是“希望成为教师的人”,表示主观愿望,有时有贬意,含有“自称而其实不是”的意思。future 或


prospective 并不表示主观愿望,可以指正在培养成为从事某种职业的人。

400. 请不要把烟对着我吹好吗?
[误] Would you please don't blow the smoke right at me?
[正] Would you please not blow the smoke right at me?

注:would you please do ... 是一种很客气的说法,意为“请你...好吗?”其否定式只需在动词前加 not,不加 do,因为


would 已是助动词,不需再加上一个助动词 do。

SteveWang

74. 你该吃晚饭了。
[误] It's time to eat your dinner.
[正] It's time to have your dinner.

注:不是所有的“吃”字都能翻译为英语 eat 的,英语中有许多固定搭配,如:take one's medicines(吃药);lead an idle


life(吃闲饭);be very popular(吃香);I had some meat for lunch(午餐我吃了些肉)等。

Actually Americans eat breakfast, lunch and supper as well.


but the british never do that
They just have breakfast, lunch and supper.
haha

88. 海伦就像一只骄傲的公鸡,从来不爱搭理别人。
[误] Helen is proud as a cock, and she never talks to others.
[正] Helen is proud as a peacock, and she never talks to others.

注:“孔雀”在中国人眼里是美丽和吉祥的象征,而公鸡因为常把头昂得高高地,尾巴翘到了天上,摆出一副盛气凌人的架子,因
此成了“骄傲”的化身。但西方文化不注重孔雀美丽的一面,认为它们很骄傲,所以英美人在形容一个人骄傲、狂妄和爱慕虚荣
时,就把他(她)比作 peacock。
English speaking people, esp women, would find this word "cock" offensive.
They prefer "rooster".
Maybe this also explains that.

100. 我爷爷是奔75的人了。
[误] My grandpa is running for seventy-five.
[正] My grandpa is getting on for seventy-five.

注:run for 有“竞赛,竞选”之意,如:run for Congress(竞选国会议员),run for the presidency(竞选总统)等。而


get on for 才表示“接近”,它通常用进行时态,后面一般跟年龄或者时间,如:It's getting on for midnight(快到半夜了)
等。

we can also say "My grandpa is pushing 75."


It's also very commonly used.

102. 艾达把“发音”一词拼写错了,不过只是个笔误。
[误] Ida misspells the word "pronunciation", however, it is only a mistake of pen.
[正] Ida misspells the word "pronunciation", however, it is only a slip of the pen.

注:与 mistake(错误,误会,过失)相比,slip 更侧重于由于不经意或疏忽而造成的错误,所以“口误”一般译为 a slip of


the tongue,同样,“笔误”就翻译成 a slip of the pen。

Ida写错了......
I think "Ida misspelt the word ... sounds better
or am I a little bit pedantic?

山定子

以下是引用SteveWang在2005-5-25 17:35:05的发言:
actually americans eat breakfast, lunch and supper as well
but the british never do that
they just have breakfast, lunch and supper

Yes. You are right.


eat:“进餐”,在英国不常用,但在美国却常见。
例如:
Eat your dinner.
He ate his breakfast quickly, then ran up to his room again.

以下是引用SteveWang在2005-5-25 17:42:59的发言:
english speaking people, esp women, would find this word "cock" offensive
they prefer "rooster"
maybe this also explains that

cock=(US)rooster 公鸡

I half agree with you. That depends. Only on certain context can it drive at taboo, say, the penis, esp.
considered only as a sexual organ, specifically, the erect penis.
Examples:
"And Pistol's cock is up..." Shakespeare, Henry V, II, 1.
Oh, cock!
He's a cock/prick/tool!
Another meaning:
1. A swaggering boastful male
2. The leader of a group or organization

以下是引用SteveWang在2005-5-25 17:50:58的发言
My grandpa is pushing 75.

Thanks. Let me append the following:

1. push thirty[forty,etc.]已经快到三[四...]十岁了:
She would like you to think so, but she's pushing thirty.
You wouldn't think so to look at him, but he's pushing 40.

2. get on for[towards]快到(某时间),快(多少岁):
It's getting on for nine o'clock.
He must be getting on for forty now.
Here you are getting on toward thirty.

3. 年龄的一些说法:
1) I'm twenty.(常用)
2) I'm twenty years old.(常用)
3) I'm twenty-year-old.(不常用)
4) I'm twenty years of age.(书面)
5) I'm aged twenty (years).(书面)
6) My age is twenty (years).(不常用)
7) I come into the age of twenty.(不常用)
8) I'm in my teens.(不常用)

in one's early teens(不常用)


在十三四岁年纪

not yet out of one's teens(不常用)


还没有到20岁

以下是引用SteveWang在2005-5-25 18:12:46的发言:
Ida写错了......
I think "Ida misspelt the word ... sounds better
or am I a little bit pedantic?

I agree with you: "misspelt" is better.


Pedantic? Not at all. I prefer the wording: "precise and earnest".
BTW, let me append the following as a reference:

一般现在时表示过去动作的用法
在少数情况下已发生的动作也可以用一般现在时表示,但只限于少量动词,如 hear, say, tell 等:
I hear you're moving.
听说你要搬家了。
Diana says you told her to come over here.
戴安娜说是你让她到这儿来的。
They tell me it's a fascinating film.
他们告诉我这是一部迷人的影片。
Yes, you answer quite well.
你的回答很好。
Oh, I forget where she lives.
啊,我忘了她在哪儿了。

这是因为讲这些话时这些动作发生的时间在说话人的脑中已经模糊不重要,他注意说明的是从句表示的情况。
此外还有一些用一般现在时表示过去动作的情形:
* 故事性读物中戏剧的描绘:
I open the door, and I look out into the garden, and I see a man. He is wearing a pink shirt and a
policeman's helmet. "Good moring," he says...我打开门,往花园里瞧瞧,我看见一个男子,穿一件粉红色的衬衫,戴一
顶警察的头盔。“早上好”,他说......

在故事描述中突然转而使用现在时态,是为了给人以历历在目的印象。这种用法可以为戏剧性的现在时(dramatic
present)或历史性的现在时(historical present)。

* 用在报纸标题中:
Disarmament Talks Begin in Viena. 裁军谈判在维也纳开始。
Bank Robery: Robbers take $100,000. 银行劫案:匪徒抢走十万美金。

情节自然是已发生的事,但往往用现在时,也是为使标题更生动。

* 用在小说章节的题目中:
VII Go to Bristal 第七章,去布里斯托尔途中

* 用来引用书面材料:
Shakespeare says: "All the world is a stage." 莎士比亚说,“整个世界是一个舞台。”
Chaucer writes that love is blind. 乔叟写道爱情是盲目的。

SteveWang

397. “请再来点咖啡好吗?”“不,不要了,谢谢。”
[误] Would you like some more coffee? No, I wouldn't like any more.
[正] Would you like some more coffee? No, I don't want any more.

注:would you like...是一种表示客气的询问对方“是否想要(什么)”的口语句型,它只用于第二人称,因此,在回答进,由于


说的是自己,就不能再按惯例用 would,而是肯定时用 Yes, please;否定时用“No,I don't want...”。

I'd just say " No, thanks".


The simpler, the better.
Isn't it good to be lazy sometimes?

402. 那座寺庙值得一看。
[误] The temple is worthwhile visiting.
[正] It is worth while visiting the temple.

注:be worth while doing 意为“值得做、有价值”,但通常用 it 作形式主语,而不用名词作主语。

"worth while" -->stock phrasal verb


worthwhile" --> adjective
I'd like to put an adjective after Be verbs

山定子
以下是引用SteveWang在2005-5-26 9:04:37的发言:
I'd just say " No, thanks".
The simpler, the better.
Isn't it good to be lazy sometimes?

In certain context of situation, there do exist proper wording and expressions. Relatively, we cannot simply
boil an expression down to a conclusion that it is absolutely wrong or absolutely right; that depends. In this
situation, I think, the author emphasized the comparison between the two expressions. "No, thanks" vs. "No, I
don't want any more", either is OK, I'm afraid. But there must be a subtle distinction between them. In most
cases, concise is preferable to wordy; however, that still depends. On certain occasion, concise may as well
give way to wordy if there is a must, say, for the sake of politeness. For example, if you did me a big favor,
and if it's my turn that I must thank you by word of mouth, I (as a native Chinese) tend to say "thank you,
thank you" with a quite fast rhythm; while if I were an American, I would say "thank~~~~~you~~~~~~!"
very slowly. On the whole, language is not a science, but an art. If only we use it properly.

以下是引用SteveWang在2005-5-26 9:08:42的发言:
"worth while" -->stock phrasal verb
worthwhile" --> adjective
I'd like to put an adjective after Be verbs

Let me append the following:


worth (someone's) while 值得(费事),有好处
1) 跟不定式:
I'd think it well worth while to go.
Then perhaps it wouldn't be worth your while to come here.

2) 跟动名词:
It's not worth while losing your temper.
Do you think it's worth while quarrelling with me?
So it's scarcely worth while looking for her round here.
It's not worth your while reading this book, because it isn't accurate.

3) 不跟特别结构:
I will devote my life to this. This is worth while.
I feel as though I ought to be doing something worth while like that.
The work's not pleasant, but I promise you I'll make it worth your while.
If you do this job for me I'll make it worth your while.

worthwhile adj. 值得干的,有价值的


The visit to Paris was whorthwhile.
So few movies are worthwhile nowadays.
He thinks teaching foreign languages is worthwhile.
The effort seemed worthwhile to French decision-makers.
I wouldn't think it worthwhile to ask him to join the club---he'll only refuse.
Her interest makers our efforts worthwhile.
She has a very worthwhile job.
This is a worthwhile cause.
Here's some worthwhile advice to any young businessman.

作为表语在非正式用法连写的 worthwhile 意思仍是“值得费工夫的”,后面不该再加表示“值得怎样”的应属 worth 一词的补


足词语。例如:
To say/Saying this is worth while/worthwhile. It is worth while/worthwhile to say/saying this.
这事值得说清。
(不说:This is worth while saying.)
Doing the extra work was worth while/worthwhile. It was worth while/worthwhile doing the extra work.
干这份额外的工作是值得的。
(不说:The extra work was worth while/worthwhile doing.)

It's worth while(二词分写)...应不同与 It's (a) worthwhile(二词合一)...


虽然有人认为 worth 与 while 总是可以连写成 worthwhile。但多数人不认为,正式说法中 worth while 分写是表语形容
词带补足词语,worthwhile 或 worth-while 是作定语的形容词。试比较:
It's worth-while advice, a worthwhile piece of advice.
(It 是实词)这是值得考虑的劝告。
It's worth while taking her advice. /It's worth while to take to heart her sensible advice.
(It 是虚词)按她的劝告办(认真考虑她的明智劝告)是值得的。
又如:
下面前两句的 It 是虚词,引导后置主语;后两句的 It 是实词,指 That affair。例如:
It's scarcely worth while/worthwhile to go away right now.现在就去不值得吧!
It's scarcely worth while/worthwhile your going away right now.你现在就去,不值当吧!

It's scarecely worth your troubling about/your attending to.这事不值得你操心(你去管)。


It's scarcely worth (your) while/scarcely worthwhile.这事不值得(你)费工夫。
不说:It's scarcely worth.(worth 不可无补足词语)

SteveWang

oops i was wrong about worth while sorry

山定子

以下是引用SteveWang在2005-5-26 21:27:41的发言:
oops i was wrong about worth while sorry

Happy to meet you here.


Yor are welcome.
Many thanks for your participation.

SteveWang

Thanks dude you did a good job i really appreciate it

i was just being a little bit fussy

hoho, kidding

pleased to meet ya

hope everthing goes well

401. 这是一次很有价值的访问。
[误] It was a worth while visit.
[正] It was a worthwhile visit.

注:worth while 即 worth one's while,意思是“做......是值得的”,其一般句型是 it is worth while doing sth.。


worthwhile,即“值得的”之意:a worthwhile experiment(一项值得做的实验)。本句中 worthwhile 作定语修饰 visit,
故不能分开写。

402. 那座寺庙值得一看。
[误] The temple is worthwhile visiting.
[正] It is worth while visiting the temple.

注:be worth while doing 意为“值得做、有价值”,但通常用 it 作形式主语,而不用名词作主语。

403. 他有份不错的工作。
[误] She had a very worth while job.
[正] She had a very worthwhile job.

注:表示“值得干的”、“有价值的”意思时,worthwhile 常常放在名词之前作定语。worth while 分写时意思为“值得花时


间”、“值得花力气”,不可用作定语,常用作表语。

404. 他值得我们尊重。
[误] He is worthy our respect.
[正] He is worthy of our respect.

注:worthy 后必须跟介词 of 后才能再用名词。这和 worth 不一样。worth 后可以直接跟名词。

405. 这位可敬的人尽了一切可能来帮助城里的穷人。
[误] This worth man did all he could to help the poor of the town.
[正] This worthy man did all he could to help the poor of the town.

注:worth 作形容词时,只能作表语,不能作定语;worthy 则既可以作表语,又可作定语,意为“有价值的,值得的”。

406. 买一套好服装是值得的,因为它比便宜的要耐穿。
[误] It is worth to buy a good suit because it will wear better than a cheap one.
[正] It is worth buying a good suit because it will wear better than a cheap one.

注:在 it is worth buying 的句型中,worth 是形容词,习惯上不跟动词不定式,而跟动名词,或者跟名词或代词。

407. 这本书的确值得一找。
[误] This book is very worth looking for.
[正] This book is well worth looking for.

注:这里的确良 worth 是介词,说“非常值得”、“的确值得”应该用 well worth,不用 very worth。

408. 不管他做什么,你得容忍他。
[误] No matter what he does, you must abide by him.
[正] No matter what he does, you must abide him.

注:abide 作“忍受”、“容忍”解时是及物动词,其后接宾语时不用介词。但 abide 作“遵守(法律、诺言、决定等)”、“坚持


(观点等)”解时是不及物动词,后接宾语时要说 abide by。

409. 这孩子具有惊人的记忆力。
[误] The child has a wonderful ability for remembering things.
[正] The child has a wonderful capacity for remembering things.

注:ability 与 capacity 两个词虽然都有“能力”的含义,但用于人时,ability 一般指已表现出来的实际能力;而 capacity 则表


示潜在的能力,如接受能力。因此,原句英译应该用 capacity 而不是 ability。

410. 他们的错误能够被改正。
[误] Their mistakes are able to be corrected.
[正] Their mistakes are capable of being corrected.

注:be able to 的主语一般是物,表示某人有做某事的能力。capable 的主语可以是人,也可以是物,表示有达到一般要求的


能力。本句主语是 mistakes,故须用 capable。

411. 我们应该摒弃旧习俗,创新风尚。
[误] We should cancel outmoded customs and establish new ones.
[正] We should abolish outmoded caustoms and establish new ones.

注:cancel 和 abolish 都有“除去”之意,均可作及物动词,但含义不相同。abolish 意为“废除、革除”,往往用于规章制度、


政治、法律、风俗和社会组织等方面。cancel 有“取消、使丧失效力”之意,如证书、义务、契约、约会、假期等的“取消或废
止”。

412. 1977年前后,我在农场工作。
[误] About in 1977 I worked on a state farm.
[正] Around 1977 I worked on a state farm.

注:表示1977年前后,可用 around 1977 或 in 1977 or thereabouts,而不说 about in 1977。about in 后不能跟具体


的年份或日期。

413. 我们正要动身,天下起雨来。
[误] We were just about to start, when it rained.
[正] We were about to start, when it rained.

注:be about to...表示“即将要......”,just 在此显得多余。

414. 那男孩大约八九岁。
[误] The boy was about eight or nine years old.
[正] The boy was eight or nine years old.

注:about 意为“大约”,three or four o'clock(三点或四点/三四点钟);eight or nine years old 也是表示“大约”的时间,


因此再用 about 就重复了。

415. 他不至于做卑鄙和欺骗的事情。
[误] He is beyond meanness and deceit.
[正] He is above meanness and deceit.

注:above 常指因某种缘故而“不做,不屑,不至于”。如:Do you think you're above criticism?(你认为你不至于受批评


吗?)如要表示超过范畴、能力、控制等意思,则常用 beyond。

416. 他从海外来。他居住加拿大。
[误] He came from abroad. He lives in Canada.
[正] He came from overseas. He lives in Canada.

注:abroad 和 overseas 的区别:abroad 强调“到/从其他国家去/来”;overseas 则表示“从海外来”。

417. 他在吗?---不在。
[误] ---Is he in? ---No, he is absent.
[正] ---Is he in? ---No, he is out/not in.

注:absent 通常表示“缺席”,如果表示“不在”,一般用 not in 或 out。

418. 那个男孩对新的知识吸收很快。
[误] The boy absorbs in new knowledge quickly.
[正] The boy absorbs new knowledge quickly.
[正] The boy absorbs into new knowledge quickly.
[正] The boy takes in new knowledge quickly.

注:absorb(吸收)是及物动词,可以直接跟宾语,absorb in 的意思是“吸引,专心于”,absorb into 才是“吸收”,另外


take in 也表示“吸收”。

419. 你是在寻找住处吧?
[误] Are you looking for an accommodation?
[正] Are you looking for accommodation?

注:accommodation 是个不可数名词,但在美国英语中常用复数,不过,无论英国英语还是美国英语,accommadation 前
都不可加不定冠词 an。这个词的意思是“a place to live”,指的是“(住宿用的)套房,旅馆房间,住房等”。
复数(accommadations)的用法:[住宿(有时包括伙食)等条件;房间、舱位、坐位或铺位等]须用复形,有复念,常不可
数。作“住宿(有时包括伙食)等条件”解,如:
motel accommodations
The city has excellent hotel accommodations.
He's coming up here next week. I want to see about accommadations.
He wired the hotel accommadations directly by calling the Overland Park Ramada at 1-800-2 Ramada.

420. 经理由一位秘书陪同。
[误] The manager was accompanied with a secretary.
[正] The manager was accompanied by a secretary.

注:accompany 作“陪同”解时,通常用 be accompanied by 的结构。而 be accompanied with 则常指“(两事物)伴随而


来”。另外,be accompanied on/at,表示“由......伴奏”。

421. 他是自愿参加的。
[误] He participated out of his own accord.
[正] He participated of his own accord.

注:accord 作名词用时,意思是“符合”,“一致”。of one's own accord 的意思是“自愿地、主动地”。误句在 of his own


accord 的前面加上 out 一词是多余的。

422. 依我看,房租太贵。
[误] According to me, the rent's too high.
[正] In my opinion, the rent's too high.

注:“按照我的意见”或“根据我的看法”应译成 in my opinion。但在转述别人的意见或看法时就可以用 according to 这个短


语。例如:according to the news report(根据新闻报导),according to reliable sources(根据可靠消息来源)。

423. 他们一步一步地达到了目标。
[误] They reached their aim step by step.
[正] They achieved their aim step by step.

注:达到目的或目标,常用的说法有三种:1、achieve one's aim; 2、accomplish/achieve/fulfil a purpose;3、achieve/


attain a goal。三处一般不能用 reach 或 get 等动词。

424. 我认识那位女士。
[误] I acquainted the lady/I acquainted with the lady.
[正] I am acquainted with the lady.
注:acquaint 是及物动词,意为“使认识”,故其常用句型是 acquain sb. with sth.(使某人熟悉某事),或 be acquainted
with sb.(认识某人)。acquaint 和 acquainted 之后的介词只能用 with,没有其他选择。

425. 要是游过河去,需要多少时间?
[误] How long would it take to swim through the river?
[正] How long would it take to swim across the river?

注:across 表示“到达一条线、一条河或一条道路的对面”(与“细而长”的物体相对而言的位置或动作),through 不能用于


从“细而长”的物体之一侧到另一侧的动作。

426. 他又干了件傻事。
[误] He made another stupid act.
[正] He committed another stupid act.

注:act 作名词时,和其搭配的动词通常是 commit、do 或 perform。

427. 和为比言词更重要。
[误] Acts are more important than words.
[正] Actions are more important than words.

注:act 和 action 都表示“行动,行为”,在有些场合可以互相换用。但是,act 指具体的、短暂的个别行动,而 action 侧重指


抽象的行动,且时间较长,包括行动的各个步骤。

428. 失业是当前所面临的一个问题。
[误] Unemployment is a very actual problem.
[正] Unemployment is a current problem.

注:表示“当前发生”或“存在”的意思时,通常用 present, up-to-date, current 等形容词,而 actual 的意思是“existing as


a real fact”(实际的,实在的),多用于纠正误解或引出出乎意料的消息。

429. 我们现在对国际事务感兴趣。
[误] We are interested in world affair now.
[正] We are interested in world affairs now.

注:affair 指与公众有关的“事务”时,须用复数形式,所以误句中的 world affair 须改为 world affairs。另外,current


affairs(时事),foreign affairs(外交事务),affairs of state(国事)等,也都用复数形式。在指“(关系到某个人的)事”时,用单
数。在指某一事件时,用单数,在 have an affair with sb.(与某人私通)这个固定词组中用单数。

430. 昨天下午,我们的校长在办公楼二楼的接待室里接待了几位外宾。
[误] Yesterday afternoon our president received several foreign vistitors in the parlor on the second floor of
the Administration Building.
[正] Yesterday afternoon our president received several foreign vistitors in the reception room on the second
floor of the Administration Building.

注:parlor 在美国英语里指私人家里的客厅,也指旅馆里的休息室等房间,但现在已少用。在美国,也用于某些商业性的营业
室,如 ice-cream parlo冷饮室,hairdresser's parlor,beauty parlor美容室。学校以及其它公共机关里的接待室(或会客
室),一般用 reception room。

cookie

I don't know how to express my appreciation, this column is superb. I really could learn much more than I
imagined and as a timeless champion of this forum, I make a promise that i will come here at least once a
day, *lol*, in fact, I have regarded this place as my home in the net. hoho, so many kind guys here, they are
really happy and ready to help others. Though i can't provide a hand in terms of my limited level in english,
*sigh*, but I will stand up for you forever ! go !

Yeti

Thanks for being so appreciative. Your English is fine; don't belittle yourself. I hope those nice people you talk
about can come in much more often, but alas, they all have school work, careers, and some, families to take
care of. I am very grateful to them for supporting this forum. Without their help, we would not be here.

We rely heavily on word of mouth recommendation. If you like us, please tell your friends.

The name "Treaure Island" was coined by a former visitor "Jennyatsea" (who is another nice person that has
many things to take care of). She said that one can dig around and find treasures here. So I hope you will
stay and dig for treasures, and bury some of your own in the process.

431. 这篇文章还需要润色一下。
[误] This article has yet to be adorned.
[正] This article has yet to be polished.

注:adorn 的意思是“修饰,装饰,打扮”不能用于文章、作品的“润色”polish 的意思是“擦亮(机器),抛光(器具),使......


优美,使(语言、文字)洗练,润饰(文章,作品)。

432. 天然纤维所做的衣服比之人工料子所做的衣服有很大的优点。
[误] Clothing made of natural fibres has a great advantage on that made of artificial material.
[正] Clothing made of natural fibres has a great advantage over that made of artificial material.

注:have an advantage over sb./sth.(对某人/某物占有优势)是固定词组,其中 over 不能用于其他介词取代。


advantage 在这里是可数名词,必要时可用复数”值得注意的是,have the advantage 这一说法须后接 of ,说明
advantage 的内容。另外,take advantage of sb./sth.意为“利用某人/某物”,这时 advantage 之前没有冠词。

433. 广告对我们产生微妙的影响。
[误] Advertisement exerts a subtle influence on us.
[正] Advertising exerts a subtle influence on us.

注:advertising 为广告的总称,是不可数名词。作主语时,谓语动词用单数,advertisement 是可数名词,这类名词还有


machinery--machine, baggage--bag, jewelry--jewel, poetry--poem 等。

434. 我不会建议开车去---没有地方停车。
[误] I wouldn't advise you taking the car --there's nowhere to park.
[正] I wouldn't advise taking the car --there's nowhere to park.

注:advise, allow,forbid 和 permit 等动词, 既可后接动名词,也可后接不定式。当后接动名词,动名词前不用表示人的宾


语,若后接不定式,则要用表示人的宾语。总之,要表示“劝某人做某事”这个意思时,常用的结构是 advise sb. to do sth.,
不是 advise sb. doing sth.,但可说 advise doing sth.。要表示“劝某人不要做某事”时,常用的结构是 advise sb.
against sth. 或 advise sb. against doing sth.。

435. 因为家里有病人,所以他今天没来上班。
[误] He didn't come to work today because there is a patient in his family.
[正] He didn't come to work today because someone is ill in his family.

注:“家里有病人”是上班请假最好的理由之一。但此“病人”非彼“patient”。通常,一个人进了医院,花钱享受医生的服务才能被
称为 patient。换言之,patient 是相对于医生说的。例如:The doctor is visiting his patients in hospital. 医生正在医院
探视他的病人。如果你自己在家里照顾病人,那么他就不能被称为 patient。这时,我们不妨像正确句那样换一种说法,巧妙地
避开了可怕的“病人”。另外提醒一句,也不是所有的 patient 都是患有疾病的。有一种特殊机构——美容院(beauty saloon),
它的顾客们就被称为 patient。例如:This beauty shop is filled with patients on Sundays.(周日这家美容院会挤满顾
客。)

436. 这种新发型使她的外表发生了惊人的变化。
[误] The new hairdo affected a startling change in her appearance.
[正] The new hairdo effected a startling change in her appearance.

注:affect 和 effect 在音、形上是易混词,在含义上是近义词,均可译成“影响”。但两个词的用法区别很大。affect 总是做动


词,常表示“影响”、“感染”等。effect 可以做动词,但做动词时不表示“影响”,而表示“产生”、“实现”、“促成”等。

437. 他的突然死亡对我们所有的人都有影响。
[误] His sudden death influenced all of us.
[正] His sudden death affected all of us.

注:affect 通常强调对某人或某物产生的具体作用,而 influence 则侧重对人或思想、性格以及作品等产生相对较长远的影


响。

438. 去伦敦的访问使他能与律师决定事务。
[误] The visit to London afforded him to settle his business with the lawyers.
[正] The visit to London allowed him to settle his business with the lawyers.

注:虽然 afford 与 chance 或 opportunity 等连用时,含有“使......有机会做......”的意思,但 afford 本身并不表


示“allow”(容许,许可)的意思,所以本句不能用 afford,而要用 allow。再者,afford 不能用于 afford sb. to do sth.
(如误句)的结构中,而 allow sb. to do sth.则是常见的。

439. 他一两个星期后来。
[误] He will come after a week or two.
[正] He will come in a week or two.

注:in a week or two 用在表示将来的时态中,意为“一两周后”。虽然这个短语含有“过一两周”的意思,但不能用 after 代替


in。此处的 in 是“过若干(时间)”的意思。如:in an hour(过一小时)。

440. 我们开了一个快乐的晚会,又喝酒,又跳舞,一直玩到最后尽兴,我们才回家。
[误] We had a nice party with drinks and dancing, then, after all, we went home.
[正] We had a nice party with drinks and dancing, and finally, we went home.

注:after all 不是 finally 的意思,它主要有两层词义:一、“毕竟,终究”。after all 这一用法,通常置于句末。二、“必须记


住,别忘了”。after all 的这一用法,通常置于句首。所以根据误句所要表达的意思来看,不能用 after all,而是要用 finally
来表示“若干时间或动作”之后的“最后(行动)。

441. 我们都尊敬系里经验丰富的老教师。
[误] We all respect the experienced aged teachers in our department.
[正] We all respect the experienced old(或 senior)teachers in our department.

注:aged 往往有“年迈力衰”的含意,用作原句的译文不恰当。我们可以说:We should take care of the sick and the


aged.我们应当照顾病人和老人。I go home to see my aged parents at weekend. 周末我回家看望年迈的双亲。因为在两
个例句中强调的是“年老体弱”。

442. 在晚年,那里的人们过着幸福的生活。
[误] In their old ages, the people there are living a happy life.
[正] In their old age, the people there are living a happy life.
注:age 既是可数名词,也是不可数名词。当作“年龄,年纪”解时,可数不可数都可以。当表示“(做某事的)年龄限制”时,为
不可数,如在 under age(未到规定年龄),over age(超龄),come of age(达到法定年龄)等说法中。在口语中表
示“很久”之意时,通常和复数形式:I haven't seen you for ages.(好久没见到你了。)因此,在 in their old age 中,
age 表示的是“人生的某一阶段”的意思,应该是不可数名词,没有复数形式。

443. 国务院于今年初批准了进一步发展旅游业的计划。
[误] The State Council agreed to the plan for further development of tourism early this year.
[正] The State Council approved the plan for further developmnet of tourism early this year.

注:agree 是“同意”的意思,一般指同级的人或机构之间经过讨论协商取得一致的意见,approve 是权力机关对某项计划、措


施、行动、方法等的“批准”、“同意”。也可表示上级对下级、长辈对小辈之间的“同意”。

444. 我们完全赞同你在会上提出的计划。
[误] We fully agree with the plan you put forward at the meeting.
[正] We fully agree to the plan you put forward at the meeting.

注:表示“同意计划、建议、提议”时,agree 后接介词 to,而不接介词 with。

445. 我同意他认为需要多办些学校的意见。
[误] I agree with him to the need for more schools.
[正] I agree with him about the need for more schools.

注:用 agree 表示“同意某人(的意见)”时,后接介词 with:He agreed with me.(他同意我的意见。)若要表示“在某件事


上同意某人的意见”时,要用 agree with sb. on/about sth.的结构。所以误句中的 to 须改为 on 或 about。

446. 这是助听器。
[误] It's an aid hearing.
[正] It's an aid to hearing.

注:aid 表示“援助、帮助”时是不可数名词,没有复数形式。aid 有时可用作可数名词,这时它表示“助手、辅助用品”,与 to 连


用,表示“对......的援助”。

447. 我们希望用和平手段达到目标。
[误] We hope to reach our aim by peaceful means.
[正] We hope to achieve our aim by peaceful means.

注:aim 不与 reach 连用。reach 表示“到达”时,指到达一个具体的地方。表示“达到目标”可说 achieve one's aim。

448. 他开始学英语,目的是做一名教师。
[误] He started to learn English with the aim to become a teacher.
[正] He strarted to learn English with the aim of becoming a teacher.

注:“with the aim of + 动名词”是固定的短语结构,意为“以期......,意在......”,不能改用动词不定式。但是,当 aim 用作


主语时,应该用 be + 动词不定式作谓语。

449. 他英国之行的目的是丰富语言知识。
[误] His aim of going to English is to improve his knowledge of language.
[正] His aim in going to England is to improve his knowledge of language.

注:aim 作名词,意思是“目的,目标”,它可以后跟动词不定式:Our aim to complete the work before the end of the
month.(我们在月底以前完成这项工作的目标。)或者后接介词 in 引导的短语:What's your aim in life? (你的人生目标
是什么?)但是不能用介词 of。

450. 我打算明年六月获得熟练工的证书。
[误] I shall aim in a Certificate of Proficiency next June.
[正] I shall aim for a Certificate of Proficiency next June.

注:aim for 意为“以......为目标,努力争取......”。所以误句中的 in 须改为 for 或 at。此外也可说 aim to do sth. 这与


aim at doing sth. 同义,都表示“想要,打算”的意思。但前者多用于美国英语,后者则用于英国英语。

451. 有些地方,几乎没有采取什么措施把烟尘净化,就把它排放到空中去了。
[误] In some places, little is done to make the smoke clean before it goes into air.
[正] In some places, little is done to make the smoke clean before it goes into the air.

注:air 单作“空气”解时,是物质名词,不用冠词。如:Let's go out for some fresh air.(我们出去呼吸新鲜空气吧。)但


当 air 泛指“空中”或“大气层中”时,须加用定冠词。如:castles in the air(空中楼阁)。

452. 这间低屋顶的房间通风不好,令人气闷。
[误] The air in this low-ceilinged room was stuffy and oppressive.
[正] This low-ceilinged room was stuffy and oppressive.

注:虽然汉语中可以说“空气闷”,但是在英语中,stuffy 和 oppressive 等的主语不能是 air,而应当是某个地方,如 theatre


(戏院),classrooom(教室)等名词。

453. 这所大学所有的办公室都安装了空调。
[误] All the offices in the university are equipped with air-conditions.
[正] All the offices in the university are air-conditioned.

注:air-condition 为动词,意为“在...上安装空调”。误句将 air-condition 用作了名词。如用名词,则可说 ...be equipped


with air-conditioners。但通常要表达是否“安装空调”这类意思时,总是用 air-conditioned。

454. 我很远就发现了那两架飞机。
[误] I spotted the two aircrafts from a distance.
[正] I spotted the two aircraft from a distance.

注:aircraft 是“航空器”的意思,它统指“飞机、飞艇、气球”等飞行物,单数和复数同形,没有加“s”的复数形式。

455. 他们的想法与我们的思考方式极其相反 。
[误] Their ideas are quite alien from our way of thinking.
[正] Their ideas are quite alien to our way of thinking.

注:表示“与...相反”时,应该说 alien to;alien from 表示的是“与...有不同性质”的意思。

456. 英国人在中国是外国人。
[误] An Englishman is alien in China.
[正] An Englishman is an alien in China.

注:alien 可作形容词或名词,作形容词时是“foreign”(外国的,异族的)的意思;作名词时指的是“外侨”,这是个官方用语,
平时一般用“foreigner”。本句中就是用的名词形式,因此前面要加不定冠词 an。

457. 鸟的翅膀和飞机的机翼是相似的。
[误] The wings of a bird and those of an airplane are alike.
[正] The wings of a bird and those of an airplane are analogous.

注:误句在语法结构上没有错误。但 alike 指“相似”,往往强调外形的相似;而 analogous 则往往指一种可比拟性,包括外观


和内涵,更强调功能。

458. 我们都很疲劳。
[误] We all are tired.
[正] We are all tired.

注:all 通常紧跟在句中助动词后。如果句中没有助动词,all 就放在主要动词前。如果句中主要动词是 be,all 就直接跟在 be


后面。

459. 我把它们都吃了。
[误] I've eaten all them.
[正] I've eaten them all.

注:all 可置于直接宾语或间接宾语之后,但这个宾语必须是代词,而不能是名词。所以误句中的 all 和 them 的词序须互换。

460. 从早饭时分起,雨一直下个不停。
[误] It has been raining all the time since breakfast.
[正] It has been raining since breakfast.

注:句中的现在完成进行时态(has been raining)以及介词短语 since breakfast,已包含了“一直”的意思,因此没有必要再


用 all the time。

461. 所有的孩子都有调皮的时候。
[误] All of children can be naughty sometimes.
[正] All children can be naughty sometimes.

注:一般来说,all 或 all of 都可用于名词或 this,that 之前,但是,当名词单独使用(即不带冠词、代词所有格或其他限定


词)时,通常不用 all of,而在代词前,则只可用 all of。如:All whisky is expensive.(威士忌都很昂贵。)All of you
are wrong.(你们全都错了。)I've read all(of) the books you lent me.(你借给我的书,我都看过了。)

462. 整个夏天他都很忙。
[误] He was busy in all summer.
[正] He was busy all summer.

注:在表示时间的短语里如有 all 修饰,则前面一般不加介词。

463. 我双亲都在北京。
[误] My parents are all in Beijing.
[正] My parents are both in Beijing.

注:当指三个或三个以上的全体时,用代词 all: There are five boys and four girls in our class. We all want to go to
the park.(我们班上有五个男同学四个女同学。我们大家都想到公园去。)若只限于两个,则用 both: I borrowed two
books from the library. They were both useful.(我从图书馆借了两本书,两本书都很有用。)由此可见误句中的 all 应改
为 both。

464. 工农业生产都在大踏步前进。
[误] Insustrial and agricultural productions are all making giant strides.
[正] Both industrial and agricultural productions are making giant strides.

注:汉语中的“两者都”这一概念,英语常用 both...and 来表示:Both John and Tom have passed the exam.(约翰和汤
姆两人都已通过考试。)而 all 则常指三者或三者以上的人或物。误句中说的是工业和农业两者,故不可用 all。

465. 他们都没去看展览。
[误] All of them didn't go to the exhibition.
[正] None of them went to the exhibition.

注:对 all 构成的否定属于部分否定。意思是:“并非所有...”。要表示全部否定,须用 none(无一)作主语。这时谓语动词可


以是复数,也可以是单数。
466. 这儿不允许抽烟。
[误] It is not allowed to smoke here.
[正] Smoking is not allowed here.

注:当 allow 用于被动语态时,我们不能用形式主语 it 作句子的主语,而应以“(不)允许做的事”为主语。

467. 演出还没结束,几乎没有观众在看了。
[误] Nearly no audience were still seeing it before the performance ended.
[正] Almost no audience were still seeing it before the performance ended.

注:在与 never, nobody, nothing, no 等否定意义的词连用时,只用 almost,不用 nearly。

468. 雾太大,我们几乎什么也看不清。
[误] We could almost not see through the fog.
[正] We could hardly see through the fog.

注:almost 可以修饰 no, none, nothing, 但不可以修饰 not。 例如:Almost none of us took any rest last night. 汉语
中“几乎不......”,“差不多没有......”等通常用 hardly, scarcely 来表达。例如:Scarcely(或 Hardly)anybody believes
it.

469. 他几乎把半个大奶油蛋糕吃掉了。
[误] He almost ate half of the big cream cake.
[正] He ate almost half (of) the big cream cake.

注:尽管 almost 是个居于句子中间位置的副词,即应当置于谓语动词之前,或第一个助动词之后。但是此句中 almost 修饰的


不是谓语动词 ate,而是宾语 half(of) the big cream cake,故应置于 ate 之后,half 之前。half 置于名词前时,其后可以
加 of,也可以不加。

470. 学校正在采取有效措施来提高学生独立工作能力。
[误] The university is taking effective measures to improve the students' ability to work alone.
[正] The university is taking effective measures to improve the students' ability to work independently.

注:work alone 是“单独工作”,work independently 或 do independentwork 才表示“独立工作”。

471. 花园里仅有一棵树。
[误] There is an alone tree in the garden.
[正] There is a lone tree in the garden.

注:alone 仅用作表语,不作定语,而 lone 用作定语,表示“仅有的”意思。

472. 他们准备好了发射宇宙飞船?
[误] They are already to launch the spaceship.
[正] The are all ready to launch the spaceship.

注:already 是副词,而 ready 是形容词;两者的意义也有所不同,前者意为“已经”,不可后接不定式。而后者是“准备好”的


意思,有时前加 all 表示程度。

473. 自从我们上次会面以后,你的脾气越来越坏了。
[误] Your temper has altered for the worse since I saw you last.
[正] Your temper has changed for the worse since I saw you last.

注:alter 和 change 作动词用都有“改变”之意,但二者的侧重点不同。change 多指事物或人物本质方面所发生的显著变化。


alter 是指事物在形状、体积、人物性格或外观方面的部分改变,但并非本质变化。
474. 这座山的高度是两千米。
[误] The altitude of the mountain is 2000 meters high.
[正] The altitude of the mountain is 2000 meters.
[正] The mountain is 2000 meters high.

注:altitude 是 height 的意思,所以句中再用 high 属多余。或者去掉 altitude,数词后面加 high。

475. 全家人一起到公园去。
[误] The family went to the park altogether.
[正] The family went to the park together/all together.

注:副词 altogether 的词意是:“完全,全部”或“(数量)总计”或“总而言之,总的来说”。就两例句而言,所要表达的意思应


该是“一起”(with one another, in company),故应当用 together,或其强化形式 all together。

476. 他在写信时不断地抓挠下巴。
[误] While he was writing the letter, he always scratched his chin.
[正] While he was writing the letter, he kept scratching his chin.

注:always 表示“总是,一贯”。表示“不断地,反复地做某事”可以用 keep doing sth。

477. 我很高兴告诉你:你的儿子一直帮助穷人。
[误] I'm glad to tell you that your son is always helping the poor.
[正] I'm glad to tell you that your son always helps the poor.

注:always 与进行时连用习惯上带有贬义。因此,说“一直在帮助穷人”时不要用进行时,而应用现在时。

478. 我搞错了,不是吗?
[误] I am mistaken, am I not?
[正] I am mistaken, aren't I?

注:如果陈述句部分是 I am,则反意疑问句部分用 aren't I?不用 am I not?。这是英国英语的习惯用法。美国英语接受这


一用法,但在口语中也有用 amn't I 代替 aren't I 的。

479. 这位漂亮的美国小女孩是朱蒂的表妹。
[误] This American pretty little girl is Judy's cousin.
[正] This pretty little American girl is Judy's cousin.

注:形容词的次序中英文不同,一般来说,汉语总是把最重要的形容词置于前面,而英语则必须让最重要的形容词接近被修饰的
名词。

480. 他们达成了一项和平友好地解决争端的办法。
[误] They came to a peaceful and amiable settlement of the dispute.
[正] They came to a peaceful and amicable settlement of the dispute.

注:amiable 与 amicable 都作“友好”解,但是 amiable 用于人,如 amiable neighbours, and amiable colleague.
amicable 用来形容环境、动作、协议等。如 an amicable discussion, abicable relations。

481. 他让他的妻子、女儿和妹妹分享他的财产。
[误] He shared his property among his wife, his daughter, and his sister.
[正] He shared his property between his wife, his daughter, and his sister.

注:在 divide,share 等动词后,若接表示两个以上的复数名词时,当然用 among,但若接数个单数名词时,中间要用介词


between,而不用 among。当后接复数名词时,可用 among,也可用 between。

482. 在我们和他之间有一些分歧。
[误] There is some disagreement among us and him.
[正] There is some disagreement between us and him.

注:上例看上去“我们和他之间”是超过三个人,但是,实际上“我们”指一方,“他”指另一方。所以,“我们和他双方之间”,应用
between us and him。

(To be continued)

go-lucky

If possible, I want to share the Christmas cake between Shanding, Uncle Yeti, Sun_shine and Wind~.

山定子

以下是引用go-lucky在2005-12-25 11:09:59的发言:

If possible, I want to share the Christmas cake between Shanding, Uncle Yeti, Sun_shine and Wind~.

Let's share the cake.

[img]http://www.homelandbakery.ca/images/Christmas%20Cake.JPG[/img]

LastHermit

02.萝卜青菜,各有所爱。
[误] Some prefer radish but others prefer cabbage.
[正] Tastes differ.

注:Tastes differ/vary 是句英语谚语,除此以外,原句还可翻译成:No dish suits all tastes. / You can never make
everyone happy. / All things fit not all persons. / Every man has his hobbyhorse[liking]. / Every man[one] to
his(own) taste. / It is difficult to cater for[to] all tastes. / It is hard to suit all tastes. / No dish suits all
tastes. / Some persons like to eat radishes, others prefer cabbages--people's tastes are various. / There is no
accounting for tastes. / There is no disputing about tastes. 等。《新概念英语》第三册第23课的标题是:One man's
meat is another man's poison.

  窃以为,翻译无固定标准。虽说严夫子云“信达雅”,傅雷则曰“形神兼备”,钱钟书亦有“化境”一说,国外的门派更是
层出不穷,一忽儿等效,一忽儿又等值……但毕竟Easier said than done,何为信达雅?何为形神俱备?何为臻于化境?何为等效?
何为等值?断无定论。正因为没有定论,便成了公说公有理,婆说婆有理。译界诸位翻译理论家或理论翻译家,便一个劲地玩个
高深,各门各派你方唱罢我登场,五彩缤呈,异常壮观。几乎可以说,这一道亮丽的风景线是久而弥坚,历久常新。反正是,
It's just the beginning...

  但我们都知道,谁也无法给翻译划一条crystal clear的界线,使其成为译界圭臬,然后照本宣科,厘定翻译之对与错。毕竟,
翻译不是精确学,不是一加一等于二,不能那么清清楚楚,那么明明白白。如果有人动辄造一套所谓标准,甚或搬些理论来照套
翻译实践,那充其量是纸上谈兵。但是,翻译亦非毫无标准可言,可以天马行空,自由驰聘。毕竟,任何事情多多少少都会有些
规律可循。译事自然也不会例外。窃以为,一些rule of thumb还是有的,比如对原文的理解,对译入语的熟练程度等等,但不能以
此作为放之四海而皆准的真理。比如说,对原文的理解。其实,庄老夫子早就看出来了:子非鱼,焉知鱼之乐也?子非我,焉知
我不知鱼之乐也?否则,to be or not to be为什么还要争呢?这个命题,如果放在大的context里面看,恐怕也是很有趣的。比如
说,放在世间种种纷争去看,恐怕也能弄清一些缘由。一个说子非鱼,焉知鱼之乐也?另一个说子非我,焉知我不知鱼之乐也?
争端即起。假如这时候来了一个第三者,强迫其中一人服从另一人的观点,而此人不服,则冲突升级。人世间的种种纷争,往往
正是有人认为老子天下第一、绝对权威而起的。所谓压倒一切的真理,其实是一条不存在的真理……扯远了,这些都是政客们的
玩意儿,咱们还是继续戴着镣铐跳舞吧。

  由是观之,翻译往往无对错可言,但有高低优劣之分。就以这个谚语为例,我们凭什么判断Tastes differ是对的呢?姑且不论
对错,不妨把它当作源语言,然后再把它译回中文。

  1)萝卜青菜,各有所爱。

  2)各花入各眼。

  3)人各有志。

  4)各行其道。

  5)你走你的阳关道,我过我的独木桥。

  6)情人眼里出西施。

  7)见仁见智。

  ……

  好,如果你认为Tastes differ才正确,那末,反译之后的各花入各眼又对不对呢?我们不妨比较(注:前面说了,翻译无固定
之标准,这里的比较只能是机械式的)一下:

  1)萝卜青菜,各有所爱

  2)各花入各眼

  可是,从何比起?原文直译是口味各有不同,译文呢,一个说吃的蔬菜,另一个则说赏的花卉。也许有人说1)才对,因为
萝卜青菜和tastes比较接近。但2)又何尝不是说tastes呢?因为tastes既指吃的又指赏的。事实上,Tastes differ最普遍的用法,还是广
义上的含义,而不是狭义的。从这个层面看,两者都适当地表达了原文意思,无对错可言,而且都是谚语或熟语。但两者有所区
别。前者较为流行,因为是普通话的说法,而后者则流行于广东或粤语地区。3)、4)、5)、6)、7)也一样,不存在错译的问
题。既然没错,那咱们就分个高低吧。

  原文:萝卜青菜,各有所爱。

  译文1)Some prefer radish but others prefer cabbage.


  译文2)Tastes differ.

  诚然,英谚里并没有1)这样的表达法,而2)则是英文里故有的谚语,从这个角度看,2)固然比1)稍好一些。可是,1)充
分表达了中文的本义和衍生义,而2)则只有衍生义,本义全无。可以说,1)较为准确地传达了中文的意思和文化内涵。更重要
的是,它可以很容易地被native English speakers理解,不管是纯粹作为谚语词典里面的词条,还是放在有具体语境的文本里去,都
不会使人产生理解上的偏差。再者,中文的“菜”和“爱”是押韵的,读起来朗朗上口,而1)的“radish”和“cabbage”也押
韵,2)则无法做到这点。综观以上几点,窃以为,1)较2)高明。

Yeti

Awaiting your further input.

翻译往往无对错可言,但有高低优劣之分。Very well said. If only everyone realizes that!

pighead

汉英双语论坛 我也是今天找潇潇语言实验室发现的 确实令人神往 呵呵

----------------------------------------------

my site 4 learn english

Yeti

以下是引用pighead在2006-2-10 2:23:39的发言:
汉英双语论坛 我也是今天找潇潇语言实验室发现的 确实令人神往 呵呵

汉英 remains--at least in my mind--the most authoritative translation discussion forum around. It has had its ups and downs, and is not what it
used to be at the height of its fame a few years back. Some of the old regulars are still around: Last Hermit, Elex, FYI(David the Auditor with his
many guises), just to name a few. Xiao-xiao is very busy and goes there irregularly. She hasn't been here at Rainlane for close to a year. If one
wants an answer to something really difficult, Han Ying and Chinadaily are still one's best bet. In terms of Translation Forums. Han Ying is still
way up there. HK00852's translator.com is attracting a large group of followers. Sparkler's cn-trans used to be one of the more popular places
back a few years ago, but has lost a lot of its people to other translation forums. Many of the other forums suffer from a lack of good Chinese to
English translators and their accuracy is spotty. Once in a while you will see a knowledgeable person drifting in and giving accurate answers, but
that does not happen every day.

Tianya, not a translation forum per se, has attracted a lot of people from almost every forum. I see people from Han Ying, cn-trans, rainlane,
yummyEnglish, wang-wang, dian-dian.... It size generates such an enormous gravitational pull that almost everyone is drawn to it. Size has
advantage and disadvantage. The advantage is that of the ten of thousands who visit there everyday, someone is bound to be knowledgeable in the
area you have a question on. The disadvantage is that too many people who know nothing about the subject also want a piece of the action. If one
does not have some idea of what is good or bad English, he/she will get hurt.

SDJ.

Send your application again. Tell GY that you are from Rainlane and Yeti will vouch for you. ( Check with rovi and nyleda to see if they have had
any success in registering at Han Ying. GY seems to be very busy recently. I have not read any of his posts.)
山定子

Thanks Uncle Yeti. I will do that later.

Djptb

02.萝卜青菜,各有所爱。
[误] Some prefer radish but others prefer cabbage.
[正] Tastes differ.

注:Tastes differ/vary 是句英语谚语,除此以外,原句还可翻译成:No dish suits all tastes. / You can never make
everyone happy. / All things fit not all persons. / Every man has his hobbyhorse[liking]. / Every man[one] to
his(own) taste. / It is difficult to cater for[to] all tastes. / It is hard to suit all tastes. / No dish suits all
tastes. / Some persons like to eat radishes, others prefer cabbages--people's tastes are various. / There is no
accounting for tastes. / There is no disputing about tastes. 等。《新概念英语》第三册第23课的标题是:One man's
meat is another man's poison.

鄙人的看法与LH君不同。鄙人认为,给英语学习者这样的提示是必要的。tastes 往往不单指食物,也指其他方面,如精神方面的
享受。“口味”与“taste"碰巧基本一致,都可以指具体与抽象的喜好。radish 与 cabbage 就太具像化了,native speakers of English 听
了很难一下子就领会吾大汉人的意思

当然如果是翻译中文小说,那又另说了

albatross

02.萝卜青菜,各有所爱

to each his own;

every man has his hobbyhorse

483. “慰问团”是 condolation group 吗?

西北航空公司的航空杂志《西北航空》有一篇叙述民航总局春节文艺慰问团的文章,其标题为 CAAC Spring Festival Condolation


Group。虽然上海交通大学出版社出版的《汉英大词典》把“慰问团”译为 condolation group,但实际上英语词汇里没有
condolation 这个词。condole 的名词是 condolence。即使把文章标题中的慰问团改成 condolence gruop 也显然是错误的。

Condolence 的意思是 sympathy for something that has pappened to someone, especially the death of a friend or of relative,即“吊唁或哀悼
的慰问”,这和表示“问候、祝贺、感谢的娱乐性慰问或慰劳”是截然不同的。

根据文章的内容,民航总局的慰问团是个演出文艺节目的团体,可以译成 greeting-conveying group。英语国家通常把这种团体称


为 entertaining group。

---《教你如何使用地道英语》张卫族 著 p.297-298

484. 误用add 一例
做“增添”、“添加”解时,人们常从汉语意思出发,误用add。下面这段北京国子监介绍词中一句话就是个例子:

Guozijian (The Imperial College) was the national highest academy during Yuan, Ming and Qing Dynasties. It was first built in the Yuan
Dynasty (1306), rebuilt in the Ming Dynasty, and was added new buildings, Biyong and Glazed Archway, in the Qing Dynasty (1754). (国子监
是元、明、清三代国家设立的最高学府,又称“太学”,始建于元大纪十年(公元1306年)。明永乐二年修葺、扩建。清乾隆四
十九年增建“辟雍”、“琉璃牌坊等建筑。)

不能用 A + be + added + B 来表示“A 增添了B”,应该说 B + be +added to A,用主动语态则是主语 + add + B to A,如:

A surprise ending was added to the story.(故事增添了个出人意外的结局。)它是从 The writer added a surprise ending to the story 转换
而来的。又譬如:Shall we add this particular task to her responsibility?(我们是否把这项特殊任务也交给她来负责?)

因此,关于国子监的错句应该改为 and two new buildings were added to it。

---《教你如何使用地道英语》张卫族 著 p.301.

485. 对于成长中的男孩,玩的时间永远不够。
[误] A growing boy never has ample time to play.
[正] A growing boy never has enough time to play.

注:ample 意为“充足而有余的,绰绰有余的”,如果与 enough 相比,它指 more than enough。也可修饰时间,但须在谈


到很具体的事情时,才能判断是否“绰绰有余”。enough 意为“足够的”,指数量多到足够满足某一需要或愿望。根据本句要表达
的意思,该用 enough 而不是 ample。

486. 每年为抽烟花去的钱数额很大。
[误] Large amounts of money is spent on tobacco every year.
[正] Large amounts of money are spent on tobacco every year.
[正] A large amount of money is spent on tobacco every year.

注:谓语动词的形式需与主语中心词的数一致。在“large amounts of +名词”中,中心词是 amounts;在“a large amount


of +名词”中,中心词是 of 后的名词。

487. 濒危物种的数量随着自然栖息地的消失而逐年增加。
[误] The amount of endangered species increase every year as natural habitats disappear.
[正] The amount of endangered species increases every year as natural habitats disappear.

注:本句中的主语是 the amount of endangered species,中心词是 the amount,单数,所以谓语动词应与主语中心词一


致,也用单数形式。

488. 我写几封信,你们能自己快乐地玩玩吗?
[误] Can you please yourselves while I write some letters?
[正] Can you amuse yourselves while I write some letters?

注:当 amuse 解作“make time pass pleasantly”,可用于反身代词形式“amuse oneself”,即“(自己)取乐,消遣”,没


有 please oneself 这样的说法。please yourself 是“do as you like”(你想怎样就怎样)的意思。

489. 他们在舞会上非常快乐。
[误] They amused themselves at the party.
[正] They enjoyed themselves at the party.

注:amuse oneself 后面常跟介词 by 或 with 引导的短语,表示“以......娱乐自己”,即“自己做点什么消遣消遣”。但是,


amuse 不能表示“(某种场合)使人愉快,过得快活”的意思。若要表达这样的意思,就要用 enjoy oneself。
490. 这个学期,我们读了许多短篇小说:“Mrs. Adis”,“The Luncheon”,“The Background”等等。
[误] This term we have read a number of slhort stories: "Mrs. Adis", "The Luncheon", "The Background" and
etc.
[正] This term we have read a number of slhort stories: "Mrs. Adis", "The Luncheon", "The Background" and
several others.

注:etc. 是拉丁文“et cetera”的缩写,等于英语 and others,and so forth。用 and etc. 等于 and others,当然是错误
的。此外,etc. 多用于技术性或注释等力求简短的文件中,在正式文章里最好不用。

491. 玛丽对汤姆的粗鲁很生气。
[误] Mary was angry with Tom's rudeness.
[正] Mary was angry at Tom's rudeness.

注:对“人”生气可以用其所长 be angry with sb.;对“事”生气可以用 be angry at/about sth.,不能用 angry with sth.,
但可以说 angry with sb. for sth.。

492. 他激动得一句话也说不出来。
[误] He was only too excited to say a word.
[正] He was too excited to say a word.

注:在一般情况下,too...to do 结构具有否定意义。但是,当 all too, but too, only too, quite too 与动词不定式连用时,
就没有否定意义了。例如:They are all too satisfied to take the opinions of others without the pain of thought for
themselves.(他们都满足于不费脑筋思考就采纳别人的观点。)I'm only too pleased to help you.(我很高兴帮助你。)
They are but too glad to do so.(他们很高兴这样做。)

493. 她是个忙人。
[误] She's a busy-body.
[正] She's a busy woman.

注:busy-body 是“多嘴多舌,爱管闲事的人”。“忙人”应该是 a busy man 或 a busy woman。

494. 法律宣布所有此类婚姻都无效。
[误] The law announced all such marriages null and void.
[正] The law declared all such marriages null and void.

注:declare(宣布),是正式负责地公开宣布。如 declare war/peace(宣布战争/和平)等。announce 宣布,有预告的意


思,尤指“宣布(公众有兴趣的或足以满足公众好奇心的事情)”。如 announce a discovery/marriage(宣布一项发现/婚
姻)。

495. 你可以在这些座位中挑任何一个。
[误] You may take anyone of these seats.
[正] You may take any one of these seats.

注:anyone 是“任何人”的意思,不是“任何一个”,anyone 后面加 of these seats 是不通的。any one 是“任何一个”,后面


可用 of 加名词或代词。

496. 那份英语论文中有什么重要的内容吗?
[误] Is there any important thing in that English paper?
[正] Is there anything important in that English paper?

注:在问句中,anything 必须合成一个词,此外 anything,nothing 等复合代词被修饰时,形容词应置于其后,而不是其


前。

497. 爱丽丝的书写比她班级里的其他任何人都好。
[误] Alice's handwriting is better than anyone's in her class.
[正] Alice's handwriting is better than anyone else's in her class.

注:在进行差级比较时,由于 Alice 本人也是这个班级的一员,所以不能说“比班级里任何人”,只能说“比班级里其他任何人”,


这样才符合逻辑。

498. 我们被如画的山景迷住了。
[误] We were appealed by the picturesque scenery of the mountains.
[正] We were fascinated/charmed by the picturesque scenery of the mountains.
[正] The pcturesque scenery of the mountains appeal to us.

注:appeal 作“引起兴趣,有吸引力”解,是不及物动词,不能用于被动语态结构,且只能以事物作主语。如以人作主语,则应
用 charm 和 fascinate 的被动结构。

499. 他显得很伤心。
[误] He is appearing very sad.
[正] He appears very sad.

注:appear 后跟形容词时意指“似乎”、“显得”。通常不用于进行时态,可以用一般现在时表示目前的状况。

500. 不要以貌取人。
[误] Don't judge by appearance.
[正] Don't judge by appearances.

注:指看得见但可能是假相的外表时,appearance 广泛应用复数形式,区别于一般的、看得见的外表或相貌。

501. 他装成一副老实、无辜的面孔。
[误] He has put on the look of honesty, innocence.
[正] He has put on the appearance of honesty, innocence.

注:appearance(外观、外表),指人或物的可见外貌,有时含有“外表如此,其实不然”的意思。look 指“外表、神情”更着重
神态、气色、表情等具体方面。

502. 他努力学习研究生课程。
[误] He applies himself to study his postgraduate courses.
[正] He applies himself to studying his postgraduate courses.

注:apply oneself to... 表示“集中精力做某事”,但其中 to 是介词,后接名词或动名词,不能接不定式。

503. 深感赞赏的观众对表演报以雷动的掌声。
[误] The highly appreciable audience loudly applauded the performance.
[正] The highly appreciative audience loudly applauded the performance.

注:尽管 appreciable 和 appreciative 均源于动词 appreciate,但两者意义大相径庭,不可混淆。前者意为“可以估计的,


可以看到的”;而后者意为“有欣赏力的,深感赞赏的”。

504. 我非常感谢你的厚意。
[误] I greatly appreciate you for your kindness.
[正] I greatly appreciate your kindness.

注:这里的 appreciate 意为“感谢”,但句型与 thank 不同。后者可接人称代词,但 appreciate 后不可接人称代词,只可接


sb's sth.,也可后接 it,再跟 when 或 if 引导的从句。

505. 她非常感激我的帮助。
[误] She was very appreciative for my help.
[正] She was very appreciative of my help.

注:形容词 appreciative 意为“感激的/感谢的”。若要表示“对......表示感激/感谢的”,appreciative 后要接介词 of 引导的短


语,不能由 for 代替。

506. 我不能支持一项我从未赞成的政策。
[误] I cannot support a policy which I have never approved.
[正] I cannot support a policy of which I have never approved.

注:approve 用作及物动词表示“批准,通过”的意思。当表示“赞成”的意思时,approve 是不及物动词,所以在带有宾语时,


必须用 approve of。

507. 任何人,只要是人,就会经常犯错误。
[误] Anyone who is human is apt to make mistakes now and then.
[正] Anyone who is human is liable to make mistakes now and then.

注:be apt to 和 be liable to 意思均为“易于......的”,“有......倾向的”。这两个说法有时可以互换,不过 apt to 所指的倾向


可好可坏,而 liable to 多指与主语不利的倾向,更强调本性、脾气和习惯形成的倾向。

508. 五千英镑是一大笔钱。
[误] Five thousand pounds are a lot of money.
[正] Five thousand pounds is a lot of money.

注:当复数名词用来表示一个单独的数量或距离时,便可将其作为单数看待。所以误句中的 are 应为 is。

509. 我只能匀出15分钟与你讨论这件事。
[误] Fifteen minutes are all that I can spare to talk over this matter with you.
[正] Fifteen minutes is all that I can spare to talk over this matter with you.

注:当作度量、时间等的复数名词,通常被当作一个整体来看,谓语动词应采取单数形式。例如:Twenty years in prison


was the penalty he had to pay.(25年监禁是他必须接受的惩罚。)

510. 恐怕已经发生了困难。
[误] I'm afraid a difficulty has risen.
[正] I'm afraid a difficulty has arisen.

注:arise(arose, arisen)现在主要用于无形的东西,说“(困难、麻烦、矛盾等)发生”可用 arise。rise 通常用于有形的东


西,表示“升起”。

511. 我不喜欢现代艺术。
[误] I don't like modern arts.
[正] I don't like modern art.

注:当 art 作为“艺术”解时,是个抽象名词,因此是不可数名词,如:classical art(古典艺术),folk art(民间艺术),


abstract art(抽象艺术)等。当 art 作“(做某事的)技术,技艺”解时,可数不可数都行。art 还可指“文科学科”,这时用复数
形式:Bachelor of Arts(文学学士)。本句的 modern art 指的是“现代艺术”,故不能用复数。

512. 你只要看一下她的住房,就会知道她是一位艺术家了。
[误] You have only to see her house to know she is very artful.
[正] You have only to see her house to know she is very artistic.

注:artful 是个贬义词,意思是“狡猾的,欺诈的,诡计多端的”。而 artistic 是个褒义词,含有“有审美力的,有艺术技巧的”。


如:an artistic flower arrangement(富于艺术性的插花)。本句中应该用 artistic,说明被讲述者的艺术气质。
513. 这条裙子是我趁打折时买的。
[误] I got this skirt from bargain.
[正] I got this skirt on sale.

注:“打折”的正确英语应为“a bargain sale”或“sale”。若想说“趁打折的时候买的......”应为“get ... on sale”。另外,作为名


词的 bargain 还有“物美价廉的商品”、“价格便宜的商品”的意思。说某种商品正在打折销售,可用 be on sale 来表达。类例:
(1) This shirt was a bargain.这件衬衣真是便宜。(2) I bought this jacket on sale.我是在打折的时候买的这件夹克。(3)
I got it at half price.我是半价买下(这件商品)的。

514. 她是个明星。
[误] She is a TV talent.
[正] She is a celebrity.

注:(电视)演员不可以说“talent”,“talent”有具备某种才能或技能的意思,并不代表艺人。和电视演员最相近的词
是“celebrity”,“celebrity”可泛指名人,从中可以联想到演艺界的知名人士。类例:(1) I've always wanted to be a rock
star.我一直想成为一名摇滚乐歌星。 (2) Jenny has a real talent for playing the piano.詹妮确实有弹钢琴的天赋。(3)
Eric is a very talented young boy.埃里克是个很有才华的孩子。

515. 我刚刚插上插座。
[误] I just put the plug in the consent.
[正] I just put the plug in the outlet.

注:美式英语的“插座”是 outlet,英式英语是“socket”。电器的电源插头插入插座,用 plug;拔出时用 unplug。插电门用


put the plug 表示。类例:Jamie, don't put your fingers in the outlet. / The lamp isn't plugged in. / Plugs in
China have two pins or three pins.中国的插头有两脚的或三脚的。

516. 这是我的女朋友。
[误] This is my lover.
[正] This is my girlfriend.

注:英语中“lover”不只有恋人的意思,也有情人、情妇或情夫的含义,暗指两人之间有性关系。正确的说法是 girlfriend(女朋
友,恋人)或 boyfriend(男朋友,恋人)。类例:Dennis is my boyfriend.丹尼斯是我的恋人/男朋友。/ Helen and
Ross are going with each other.海伦和罗斯在恋爱。

517. 新办公室很宽敞。
[误] The new office is very wide.
[正] The new office is very spacious.

注:wide 是 narrow 的反义词,意为宽阔的,指横向幅度,例如:a wide river 一条宽阔的河流。表示房间的空间很大,不可


以用 wide,而用 spacious 或 large。类例:The house was old and not very big.这栋房子很旧,而且也不大。/ The
highways in America are very wide.美国的公路很宽阔。/ I love your new apartment. It's so roomy.我喜欢你的新公
寓,这么宽敞。

518. 我有很多男性朋友。
[误] I have many boyfriends.
[正] I have many male friends.

注:英语中 boyfriend 指的是男朋友、恋人。“男性的朋友”是 male friend,male 的意思是男性的。类例:Steve isn't my


boyfriend. He's just a friend.史蒂夫不是我的男友,只是个朋友。/ Most of my guy friends are good cooks.我的很多男
性朋友都是好的厨师。

519. 我的朋友住公寓大楼。
[误] My friend lives in a mansion.
[正] My friend lives in an apartment.

注:mansion 指的是有钱人住的大宅第。如果有人说“I live in a mansion”,那一定会使人惊讶,人们一定会以为他很有钱。


公寓在英语中可以说 apartment 或 condo (condominium 的简略形式)。类例:I wish I were rich enough to live in a
mansion.我希望我很有钱,可以住在大宅子里。/ Mike has a European style mansion in New York.迈克在纽约有一座欧
洲风格的宅第。/ I have a large studio apartment in Bejing.我在北京有一个独单。(studio apartment 指只有一间居室
的公寓房)

520. 我想当一名地勤人员。
[误] I want to be a ground hostess.
[正] I want to work at an airport counter.

注:英语中“hostess”是空中小姐的意思。可是,ground hostess 就完全是中式英语了。在英语中,不只是这个例子,对于某


些职业,与其说职业名,倒不如说出具体的工作内容更好。例如:我是数学教师,可以说成 I'm a maths teacher,虽然不算
错,但是还是说 I teach maths 更为地道。类例:Wendy is a flight attendant for the Northwest.温迪是西北航空公司的
乘务员。/ Donald teaches English at a high school.唐纳德是中学英语老师。/ Penny works at the information desk.
彭妮在询问处工作。

521. 他很有趣。
[误] He's so interesting.
[正] He's so funny.

注:interesting 是指有趣味的, 引起好奇(或注意)的。“让人发笑,令人觉得有趣”可以说 funny。和 funny 相近的其他词有


humorous(幽默的),amusing(引人发笑的,有趣的)等。用 funny 主语是人;用 humorous,amusing 主语是物。类
例:She's hilarious.她令人发笑。/ He's a scream.他是个会搞笑的人。/ She's such a laugh.她真是个开心果。

522. 能给我减价吗?
[误] Price down?
[正] Can I get a discount?

注:price down 为中式英语。discount 有打折、减价的意思。除了 Can I get a discount,还可以说:Could you give


me a discount? 类例:Any chance of a discount?便宜点行吗?/ Could you knock the price down?价钱能否低点?

523. 真是个好消息!
[误] That's a great news!
[正] That's great news!
[正] That's a piece of great news!

Note: No a before news. Though news looks like a plural noun, it is, as a matter of fact, an uncountable
noun.

524. 这是一则重要的消息。
[误] It's an important information.
[正] It's a piece of important information.
[正] It's an important piece of information.
[正] It's important information.

Note: (1) No an before the uncountable noun information. (2) The second sentence above is not wrong, but it
is not as good as the third and the fourth sentences.

525. 医生即研究医学和行医的人。
[误] Doctor is one who has studied medical science and practices medicine.
[正] A doctor is one who has studied medical science and practices med.

Note: (1) Doctor is a countable noun. A singular countable noun cannot stand alone and must always go with
a determiner(限定词) (e.g., a/an, the, my, his, that). E.g.: A hospital is a place where sick people are cared
for.

526. 走着去大约只有十分钟的路。
[误] It's only about ten-minute walk.
[正] It's only about a ten-minute walk.

Note: Walk used as a noun means walking for pleasure or exercise (take a walk), a short trip that you make
by walking (an easy walk from the school to the post office) or a distance walked often in terms of the time
required (an hour's walk from home). It's a countable noun and used with a. (E.g.: take a walk; have a walk;
go for a walk; a ten-minute walk; take somebody/something for a walk)

527. 依 Jeff 来看,James 不是 Becky 的理想男友。


[误] According to Jeff's opinion, James is not the ideal boyfriend for Becky.
[正] According to Jeff, James is not the ideal boyfriend for Becky.
[正] In Jeff's opinion, James is not the ideal boyfriend for Becky.

Note: We use according to to express where information or ideas have come from. According to is not used
with words like view or opinion. E.g.:

According to Rita, her boss is very bossy.


According to the timetable, the plane arrives at 8:00 p.m.
According to the latest news reports, the government forces have pushed back the terroirsts and retaken
the town.

in my/his/her opinion
in her view

528. 接连的网球赛影响了Meg 的体力。


[误] The fatigue of back-to-back tennis games effected Meg's stamina.
[正] The fatigue of back-to-back tennis games affected Meg's stamina.

Note: (1) affect (vt.)=influence影响=produce an effect or change on


to affect a person or thing

The drought affected the growth of corn in Iowa and Indiana.


Nicotine affects your health. Why don't you give up smoking?

(2) effect (n.)=result效应=a change that is produced in one person or thing by another

Debbie is beginning to feel the effects of smoking cigarettes.

(3) have an effect on=affect 对...有影响


When something affects you, it has an effect on you.

The divorce had a great effect on the future of the mother and her son.
=The divorce greatly affected the future of the mother and her son.

(4) effect (vt.)=bring about致使=achieve实现=make something happen


When effect is used as a verb, it is very formal and not commonly used.

Playing basketball began to effect an improvement in Ruth's attitude.

(To be continued)

529. 我到了之后再给你打电话。
[误] I'll call you after I will arrive.
[正] I'll call you after I arrive.
[正] I'll call you after I have arrived.
[正] I'll call you after my arrival.

注: After, before, until, as soon as, when, and if are not followed by a future tense but by a present
tense to indicate a future meaning. 这类词要接现在时态,表将来意思。

530. 别担心。两周后我就回来。
[误] Don't worry. I'll be back after two weeks.
[正] Don't worry. I'll be back in two weeks.

注: To say how long before something will happen in the future, use in, not after. In other words, to refer to
a period of time that stretches from the moment of speaking/writing to a point in the future, use in. E.g.:

Mark will be back in an hour.(一小时后)


The assistant manager position will be open in two weeks.(两周后)
Auditions for the ballet school will start in two weeks.(两周后)

注: No a before news. Though news looks like a plural noun, it is, as a matter of fact, an uncountable noun.

531. 我想在50岁时退休。
[误] I want to retire at age 50.
[正] I want to retire at the age of 50.

注: (1) You do something at the age of 50 or at 50 or when you are 50 years of age (not at age 50).
(2) The expression is at the age of (with the).
(3) However, sometimes in scientific studies, the might be omitted. 在科学研究中,有时 the
会省略掉的。

E.g.:
I began to study English at the age of two.
Kate began to deliver newspapers early every morning at the age of eight.
At the age of three weeks, all the experimental rats began to rapidly gain weight.

532(a). Earl的爸爸去世有三年了。
[误] Earl's father died for three years.
[正] Earl's father died three years ago.(三年前死的)
[正] Earl's father passed away three years ago.(三年前死的)
[正] Earl's father has been dead for three years.(已死三年了)

532(b). Samantha 离开台湾有三年了。


[误] Samantha left Taiwan for three years.
[正] Samantha left Taiwan three years ago.(三年前离开的)
[正] Samatha has been away from Tainwan for three years.(已离开三年了)

注: (1) Use ago to say how long before the present time something happened. It is usually used with a past tense, not with a perfect tense.

(2) Use for to state how long something lasts or continues.

(3) Die, pass away, and leave are short actions, not continuing actions; therefore, they are not used with for.

E.g.:
I have been studying English for two years.
-->Study is a continuing action and can be used with for.

Holly's father was sick for three years before he died.


-->Be sick expresses a state and can last; therefore, it can be used with for.
533. Chandra 的男朋友三年前死于车祸。
[误] Chandra's boyfriend died in a car accident since three years ago.
[正] Chandra's boyfriend died in a car accident three years ago.(三年前死的)
[正] It's been three years since Chandra's boyfriend died in a car accident.(已死三年了)

注: Since and ago cannot be used together. Never say since two/three/four months/years ago. You either use ago with a past tense or use since
with the present perfect or past perfect tense in the main clause and with a past tense in the since-clause.

E.g.:
How many years has it been since Benny met his first love, Jenny?
Did Flo first see her husband Joe in Jericho
ten years ago?
Since she arrived in Tokyo two years ago, has Maryjo been really busy managing the Dayglow Movie Studio?
-->In this sentence, since is used to modify the whole clause "she arrived in Tokyo two years ago," not the phrase "two years ago."

534.我们不许人们在大楼里抽烟。
[误] We don't allow people smoking in the building.
[正] We don't allow people to smoke in the building.
[正] We don't allow smoking in the building.
[正] People are not allowed to smoke in the building.
[正] Smoking is not allowed in the building.

注: (1) allow someone to do something (not allow someone doing something)


(2) allow doing something
(3) allow something

比较: permit vs. let


permit:
Permit is similar to allow in meaning and usage. Permit is more formal than allow.

We don't allow/permit people to keep dogs in this apartment building.


We don't allow/permit parking on this street.
I'm sorry Ms., but country law doesn't allow/permit nudity on this part of the beach.

Let:
(1) let someone do something (without to)
(2) let is also similar to allow and permit in meaning, but not in usage. It is the least formal word of all the three.

Allow me to buy you a drink.


Let me buy you a drink.

(3) Let is not used in the passive voice.


I was allowed to go out last night.
--->Not: I was let to go out last night.

535.我说英语,我丈夫也说英语。
[误] I speak English, and my husband speaks English also.
[正] I speak English, and my husband speaks English, too.
[正] I speak English, and my husband also speaks English .
[正] My husband and I both speak English.(我和丈夫都说英语)

注: (1) Too is similar to also in meaning, but not in usage.


(2) Too is often placed at the end of a sentence, while also usually comes in the middle of a sentence, either before the verb, after an auxiliary verb
or a modal verb, or after the verb to be.
(3) Also is never put at the end of a sentence. E.g.:

Dennis comes from New York, too.


Dennis also comes from New York.
--->before the verb

My husband Stu loves kung fu, too.


My husband Stu also loves kung fu.
--->before the verb

I have finished reading the book, too.


I have also finished reading the book.
--->after an auxiliary verb

My husband Tim is slim, too.


My husband Tim is also slim.
--->after the verb to be

(4) Also can be put at the beginning of a sentence and followed by a comma.
(5) Too can be put in the middle of a sentence, with two commas, one before and one after. E.g.:

Also, there is a greater risk of accidents.


There is, too, a greater risk of accidents.

Also, your breath stinks from smoking.


Your breath, too, stinks from smoking.

Also, there is real damage to the fetus from even a little alcohol.
There is, too, real damage to the fetus from even a little alcohol.

536.我又花了三天时间才作完这首诗。
[误] I've got three other days to finish the poem.
[正] I've got another three days to finish the poem.
[正] I've got three more days to finish the poem.

注: (1) Another means one more person or thing of the same type as before and is usually followed by a singular countable noun (not by a plural
noun and not by an uncountable noun).

another day --->not "another days"


another person ---not "another persons"
another drink ---->not "another drinks"
another drop of water --->not "another water"

(2) But when another is used for saying how many more people or things there are, it is followed by a number with a plural noun.

another two/five/ten/hundred/few etc. + a plural noun E.g.:

There is room for another three people in the back of the van.
--->three more people

Don't worry! In another two months your daughter Jill will get married to Bill.
--->two more months

Be patient! In another few minutes the movie will start.

(3) Other is used for referring to additional people or things of the type already mentioned or known about.

two/five/ten/hundred etc. + other + a plural noun E.g.:


The Johnsons were threre, and three other couples from the English department were there too.

Joan let out a moan and asked, "Who else stopped by the prom the other night?" Tyrone replied, "Besides your parents, a hundred other people
saw you snoring on the queen's throne."

537.如果您能为我的Flying High out of a Tibetan Valley写个书评,我将不胜感激。


[误] I'd greatly appreciate if you would write a review of my book Flying High out of a Tibetan Valley.
[正] I'd greatly appreciate it if you would write a review of my book Flying High out of a Tibetan Valley.

注: appreciate + it + if/when-clause (with it) E.g.:

I really appreciated it when Dennis offered to massage my neck and shoulders.


We would appreciate it if you could continue with the story about what happened next between Dennis and you.

538.机长向乘客保证没有危险。
[误] The captain of the plane assured that there was no danger.
[正] The captain of the plane assured the passengers that there was no danger.

注: Assure means to tell someone that something will definitely happen or is definitely true, especially in order to remove doubt about it.

(1) assure somebody that (not assure that) E.g.:


The doctor assured me that I would feel all right in a week.

(2) assure somebody of something E.g.:


Mom assured us of the health of Amy's newborn daughter, even though Amy is uncertain who is the biological father.

539.有500多来宾出席了在大学举行的为期两天的中国艺术展。
[误] Over 500 guests joined the two-day Chinese art exhibition at Saint Leo University.
[正] Over 500 guests attended the two-day Chinese art exhibition at Saint Leo University.

注: (1) Attend means to be present at an event or activity or to go regularly to a place, for example, to a school as a student or to a church as a
member. E.g.:

I did not attend the meeting yesterday, because I was sick.


All our friends and relatives will attend our wedding next Sunday.
I was born in Malaysia, but I attended high school in Canada and university in Australia.

(2) Join means to become a member of an organization, club, etc. E.g.:

Soon Anna will join our golf club.


After graduation from high school, Anna joined the Army.

540.对如此劣行该采取什么措施?
[误] What should be done about such bad behaviors?
[正] What should be done about such bad behavior?

注: Behavior means the way that someone behaves. It is an uncountable noun, cannot be used with the article a, and doesn't have a plural form.
Unless you are writing in psychology, sociology, anthropology, or a related field, it is better to avoid the use of behaviors in your writing. E.g.:

Has the behavior of your students improved?


Today my children are on their best behavior.

541.你喜欢打(篮)球吗?
[误] Do you like to paly balls?
[误] Do you like to paly with balls?
[正] Do you like to paly basketball? (volleyball/baseball/soccer?)
[正] Do you want to paly ball?

注: (1) When you want to play a game with a ball, you usually mention a specific ball(for example, baseball, volleyball, basketball). And in this
case, ball is an uncountable noun. E.g.:

Clark is playing ball at the park.


Mark is playing basketball at the park.

(2) While playing ball on a sports ground, you need to follow certain rules and cooperate with others. Therefore, play ball evolved into the
meaning of working together with someone in an effective way. E.g.:

I tried to get my ex-husband to help, but he refused to play ball.


"If you play ball with us, we'll let you go," said the police officer.

(3) Why isn't play balls a proper usage?


1) Once during an oral English test in an elementary school in Taiwan, a boy asked his American teacher, "Do you like to play balls?" The
American teacher did not know how to reply. "Do you like to play balls?" also appeared in an English textbook for Chinese elementary students.

This is a common error non-native speakers of English tend to make. Because there are all kinds of balls (baseball, volleyball, basketball, etc.), they
naturally say, "We like to play balls." But it is wrong!

2) The word balls(plural) often means a male's testicles. "I like to play balls" is close to saying that "I like to play with my balls" or that "I like to play
with my testicles." So the above question "Do you like to play balls?" sounds like "Do you like to masturbate(手淫)?" The following example from
a newspaper clarifies the meaning of the word balls:

"I am opposed to the death penalty, but I would like to see their balls cut off,(把他们的蛋子割掉)" one anti-rape activist said.

Balling
Balling is regarded as a vulgar or blunt word in English. Try to avoid using it. If you really want to refer to sex, you may use these expressions: sleep
with, make love, have sexual intercourse, make a baby, etc. These terms are far more acceptable than balling.

Balls
1) Balls can also be an informal term for having a lot of courage, but again this usage refers to a male's testicles, even when used to describe a
woman's behavior. Testicles produce the hormone testosterone. The size of a man's testicles in proportion to his body mass is the main factor in
determining his average testosterone level, and this testosterone is dirctly related to a male's interest in sex, assertivensess, and aggressiveness. A
woman doesn't have testicles and usually has a far lower level of testosterone in her body than a man does.

2) People talk about balls only with friends, and they usually avoid the term balls in formal writing and on formal occasions because others may
condider it too explicit or too crude. A woman speaking about balls sounds especially straight forward, tough, and blunt. In any case, members of
either sex may comment to friends:

Kathy has bigger balls than any guy I know.


Big balls got him his job and then got him fired too!
His balls are bigger than his brain.
She's got brass balls.=She's bold.
No balls, no glory.=No guts, no glory.=No boldness, no glory.

542.我最讨厌这个。
[误] I dislike it the best.
[正] I dislike it the most.

注: (1) We say like something or somebody best but dislike something or somebody the most.

(2) Best is the superlative form of good and well.

I know best what is good for me.


Sunday afternoon would suit me the best.

(3) Most is the superlative form of many and much.

Of the three books, this one is the most difficult.


Of all the men I have dated, Jeff is the most handsome and the most boring.

543.我非常喜欢打保龄球。
[误] I like to play bowling very much.
[正] I like to go bowling a lot.

注: We say like to go bowling (not like to play bowling; not like to play bowling ball). Similarly, we say like to go skiing.

544.他给女友开了张500元的空头支票。
[误] He wrote his girlfriend a check of $500, but the check bounced.
[正] He wrote his girlfriend a check for $500, but the check bounced.
[正] He wrote his girlfriend a $500 check, but the check bounced.

注: a check for a particular sum of money (not a check of)

The car saleswoman said a bank check for $39,919 would be fine.

545.昨晚安喝得大醉,碾过一只死臭鼬。
[误] Last night Ann was deadly drunk and ran over a dead skunk.
[正] Last night Ann was dead drunk and ran over a dead skunk.

注: (1) Dead and deadly are easily to get mixed up.

(2) edad (adj.): Dead as an adjective means no longer living, as in "Ann ran over a dead skunk."

(3) In some phrases, dead is used as an adverb.


dead (ad.) = completely; absolutely; exactly; very

dead certain -->absolutely certain


dead drunk -->completely drunk
dead slow -->very slow
dead sure -->absolutely sure
dead tired -->very tired
stop dead -->stop completely and suddenly

(4) deadly (adj.) = able or likely to kill people; extreme

deadly poison 剧毒
deadly weapon 致命武器
deadly enemies 死敌
deadly silence 万籁寂静
deadly dullness 百无聊赖

Is this a deadly poison?

(5) deadly (ad.) = in a way suggestive of death

When Abigail saw the killer whale, her face turned deadly pale(煞白).

546.李明正在决定是去北京还是去上海。
[误] Li Ming is making a decision of whether he should go to Beijing or Shanghai.
[正] Li Ming is making a decision about whether he should go to Beijing or Shanghai.

注: (1) make a decision about/on something (not of )


(2) make a decisin to do something
例:Jean made a decision to dye her hair green.

547.暴风雪把我们挡在家里了。
[误] The snowstorm discouraged us to go out.
[正] The snowstorm discouraged us from going out.

注: (1) discourage somebody from doing something: (not discourage somebody to do something)
例:We discouraged Gwen from starting to smoke again.

(2) Compare: encourage somebody to do something


例:Susan’s parents encouraged her to stay away from all street drugs. / Susan’s parents discouraged her from staying out all night at the party.

548.让我们讨论一下两国间的政治问题吧。
[误] Let’s discuss about the political problems between these two countries.
[正] Let’s discuss the political problems between these two countries.

注: (1) discuss something (with somebody) (without about)

例:The merry moose wanted to discuss the weather with the grumpy goose.
Rex refused to discuss anything about sex.

It's a waste of my time to discuss democracy and freedom with her, because she is in love with a terrorist.

(2) Note: The noun discussion is followed by about/on.


例:We had a discussion about this sensitive subject yesterday.
Stan's family is having a discussion on his college plans.

549.我不怀疑/相信李明在这次考试中会得个A。
[误] I do not doubt whether Li Ming will get an A on the exam.
[正] I do not doubt that Li Ming will get an A on the exam.

注: (1) doubt in negatives: In negative sentences doubt is usually followed by that, and it means certainty. In other words, that is the usual choice
when the truth of the clause following doubt is assumed, as in negative sentences and questions.

例:I never doubted for a minute that Kate would fall in love with Nate.
-->I was certain that Kate would fall in love with Nate.

I do not doubt that Oprah is a responsible and courageous person.


-->I am sure that Oprah is a responsible and courageous person.

(2) doubt in affirmatives: In affirmative sentences is doubt followed by whether or that? It all depends on the meaning.

(i) If doubt means uncertainty, it is followed by whether. In other words, if you want to express genuine uncertainty, use doubt whether.

例:I doubt whether I can go camping with you on Sunday.


-->Indicating uncertainty.

After her divorce, Joyce doubted whether she could afford to keep her house. But by setting up and following a clear budget, she was even able to
save money.
-->Indicating uncertainty.
(ii) Doubt is followed by that when it is used as an understated way of expressing disbelief. If you really suspect that something is false, use doubt
that.

Bill promised to marry Jill, but I doubt that he will.


-->Indicating disbelief.

I doubt that your boyfriend really understands the seriousness of the fact that you both will soon become parents.
-->Indicating disbelief.

550.学一门外语需要花很大气力。
[误] Learning a foreign language requires a lot of efforts.
[正] Learning a foreign language requires a lot of effort.

注: (1) When effort means hard work, it is an uncountable noun and does not have the forms of efforts and an effort. In other words, we use effort
as an uncountable noun when we refer to physical or mental energy needed to do something.

例:Writing an English texbook requires a lot of time and effort.


We have put a lot of effort into the design of this electric car.

(2) When effort means an attempt to do something, it is a countable noun.

例:Marilyn made a successful effort to lose weight by playing Ping-Pong.


The Russian government’s efforts to control pollution are beginning to take effect.

551.昨天我去她家了,但她没在家。
[误] I went to her house yesterday but she was absent.
[正] I went to her house yesterday but she was not home.

注: absent的意思是“不在”,用在开会、上课、参加活动均无问题。如:He was absent from the meeting. 但在“在家”这种情况


下,用 absent 会给人“你在家是一种义务”的感觉。正确的表达法是 not (at) home 或 not in。

552.我爷爷7点钟就醒了。
[误] My grandpa was very awake at 7 o'clock.
[正] My grandpa was wide awake at 7 o'clock.

注: “完全醒了”是 wide awake ,不是 very awake。

553.王先生还说什么了?
[误] What did Mr. Wang say else?
[正] What else did Mr. Wang say?

注: Else is used in the following way:


(1) After a pronoun such as anyone, everyone, everything, nobody, nothing, and something.
(2) After an adverb such as anywhere, everywhere, somewhere, and nowhere.
(3) After words such as how, what, when, where, and who.
(4) After much and little.

例:Where else did Margaret, Rachel, and Ping go naked to protest against people wearing animal fur?
Who else was coming to join their protest?
What else did they do to attract more supporters to the fur boycott?
Something else needs to be done for the success of their protest.
There isn't much else to tell you now.

554.这是一辆专门设计在沙漠用的卡车。
[误] This car was especially designed for use in the desert.
[正] This car was specially designed for use in the desert.
注: (1) We use specially to mean for a special or particular reason or purpose. In other words, specially means purposely.(专门地)

He came to Taiwan specially to see me.


These shoes were specially made for you.
World Talk, Common Errors in English From A to Z was specially written for people who are learning English as a foreign language.

(2) We use especially to mean in particular, particularly, mainly, or above all.(尤其)

especially on Sundays
especially in the North
especially when we go to bed early
Are you especially fond of fish?
ESL students especially find this computer program useful.

(3) These two words are often mixed up, especially in oral English. But in written English please follow the rule.

555.人民竖立起一座雕像来纪念他。
[误] The people established a statue to his memory.
[正] The people erected a statue to his memory.

注: erect(竖立),所建的东西有一定的高度。如:erect a monument/flagstaff(竖立纪念碑、旗杆)。establish(建立,竖立),兼
指抽象和具体事物。如:establish a school/a government/reputation(建立一所学校/一个政府/声誉)。本句说的 statue,须用 erect。

556.你到底要些什么?
[误] Whatever do you want?
[正] What ever do you want?

注: ever 用于疑问句,为“到底、究竟”的意思,相当于 on earth,常和 what, who, when, where,how,why 等连用,用以加强语气。


而 whatever 的意思是“无论什么”,相当于 no matter what,在此句中应用 what ever。

557.那颗卫星每隔3秒钟发一次脉冲信号。
[误] That satellite gave a pulsed signal every three seconds.
[正] That satellite gave a pulsed signal every four seconds.

注: “每隔3秒钟”实际上是“每个第4秒”或“每4秒钟”,故可说 every four seconds,“每隔一”在口语中常用 every other 或


every second 表示。

558.因为家里有病人,所以他今天没来上班。
[误] He didn't come to work today because there is a patient in his family.
[正] He didn't come to work today because someone is ill in his family.

注: “家里有病人”是上班请假最好的理由之一。但此“病人”非彼“patient”。通常,一个人进了医院,花钱享受医生的服务才
能被称为 patient。换言之,patient 是相对于医生说的。例如:The doctor is visiting his patients in hospital. 医生正在医院里探视他的病
人。如果你不妨像正确句那样换一种说法,巧妙地避开了可怕的“病人”。另外提醒一句,也不是所有的 patient 都是患有疾病
的。有一种特殊机构---美容院(beauty saloon),它的顾客们就被称为 patient。例如:This beauty shop is filled with patients on Sundays.
周日这家美容院会挤满顾客。

559.你要想成为一名优秀的钢琴家,还需要大量的训练。
[误] You need to take a lot of exercises is you want to be an excellent pianist.
[正] You need to take a lot of practice if you want ot be an excellent pianist.

注: exercise 指为提高某种技巧或能力而编制的练习,用于设计好的智力或体力方面的练习或操练。practice 指经常的或有系统的重


复练习,尤其是艺术或手艺方面的练习。

560.他在判断画方面,很有眼光。
[误] He has eyes for good pictures.
[正] He has an eye for good pictures.

注: eye 的本义是“眼睛”,但其单复数形式用法不同。eyes 的意思是“眼睛”,除了在 be all eyes(全神贯注地看),up to the


(one's) eyes in(忙于;埋头于)等个别短语中外,eyes 一般作为本义用,而 eye 则通常用作转义,如: catch sb.'s eye(引起某人注
意),give an eye to(顺便照看一下,稍加注意一下),have an eye/a good eye for(善于识别,对......有欣赏能力),keep an eye on
(照看,注意,监视),meet the/one's eye(出现在眼前),pass one's eye over(浏览,过目),in one's mind's eye(在想象中),
under sb.'s eye(当着某人的面),with an eye to(注意,目标在于)。have an eye for 表示“有欣赏......的能力”,介词用for,不可
用about。

561. 对外宣传中的中式英语案例(网上收集并整理)

1. 望文生义,不符合英语表达习惯的翻译:
胶水 glue water(应为glue)
不准拍照 Don't take picture(应为:No photographs)
当心碰头 Be careful, head(应为:Mind your head / Lower your head)
拳头产品 fist product 但fist这个词只是握住拳头,并没有打出去的动作和力量(参考:“knockout” product /“hard-punch”
product / core product / product with a competitive edge / market-penetrating product)
科技旅游 technological tours 这给人的印象似乎是,旅游本身是技术性的 (参考:science-theme tours)
黄金地段 golden area 这是说“金色地区”?(试比较:prime /central/ideal location)
(电视屏幕上的栏目名称)看世界 Look the World(试比较:Around the World / Window onto the World / Across the World )
经济改革取得了巨大成就并且不断深化 The economic reform has made great achievements and is deepening.(似应译为:Great
achievements have been made in the economic reform, which is developing in depth)

2. 不符合国际上通用惯例的翻译,这主要是指一些常用的专门术语。例如:
外向型产业 external directed industries (比较:export-oriented manufacturing )
保税区 tax-protected zone (比较:bonded zone 或 free-trade zone)
追求卓越管理 working for brilliant management (参考:in search of excellence in management / commitment to managerial excellence )
小商品博览会 small goods / commodities fair (参考:general merchandise show / expo)
入境登记卡、年月日、入境事由、观光休闲、返回常住地、定居”entry card, year/month/day, Your main reason for coming to China
(only one), outing/in leisure, return home, settle down 按照英语习惯,这些应该分别译为landing card 或 disembarkation form, day/month/
year 或 month/day/year, purpose of visit, pleasure 或 travel, returning home, settling in

3. 对汉语中某些地道的简略语 (short-hand phrases) 的翻译常常令人难以看懂。例如:


五讲四美 five stresses and four points of beauty (对照:five merits to advocate—civilized behavior, common courtesy, hygienic conditions,
proper discipline and public morality; and four virtues to promote—lofty sentiments, refined language, good manners and environmental
awareness.)
三通一平 three-side connections and one site level 成了“三面连接” 和“一块地是平的”。(对照:three availables—Utility services,
telecommunications and paved roads are available; and one accessible—You are accessible to leveled plant ground)
开发热点地区 heating point of development (参考:a popular destination of investors for development projects)
货币分房 monetary housing (参考:the own-as-you-pay housing system)
好酒也要勤吆喝 Good Doing, Good Drumming (比较:Good wine does need a bush, after all)

4. 意思走了样的翻译,即译文同原文说的不一样,有的差别不大,有的差别甚远,例如:
购卡后(电话卡)可以修改密码/此卡限北京市使用 please revise PIN; just used in Beijing (试比较:Pin number may be changed; inactive
out of Beijing area)
旋转果合(一种可以转动的盛糖果的圆盘)spinning fruit box (试比较:rotating dish for nuts and candies)
进出口商品结构 foreign trade structure (试比较:the make-up 或 composition of imports and exports)
在家自制矿泉水(指矿泉壶)family made mineral water (试比较:You can make mineral water at home.)
去机场的班车 Airbus 与欧洲制造的“空中客车”飞机雷同。(应为:airport shuttle bus 或 airport shuttle)
空调公共汽车 air bus(应为 air-conditioned bus)
不同的肤色,共同的青岛啤酒(广告语) The same choice for different colors 其意思变成了“都选择不同的颜色”。这里至少应该加上
people一词,翻译成 The same choice for people of different colors.(可以考虑:People’s skin colors are different—far and near; but their
choice is the same—for Qingdao Beer.)

5. 只管词语的字面意思,不顾其特殊含义的翻译。例如:
仲裁员休息室 arbitrators’rest rooms (可考虑: arbitrators’lounges 或 recess rooms)。这里有两点要注意: 一是英语里表示休息室的词
很多,不同的场合有不同的叫法; 二是restrooms通常总是指厕所, 包括分开写的 rest rooms, 比如美国高速公路旁就有写着 REST
ROOMS 2 MILES AHEAD的巨大指示牌。
九月,相约在大连(指参加那里的国际时装节) Dating in Dalian, this September。(可考虑 Let’s Meet in Dalian in September.)殊不
知,这里的 date一词是指青年男女之间的约会,而不是通常意思上的会面。
纽约有家一碟盐(餐馆名) There is a dish of salt in New York. (可考虑 An“A Dish of Salt”restaurant has been opened in New York.)
反对“平均主义”的“平均主义”egalitarianism。实际上,egalitarianism 是一个褒义词,是指政治、经济、法律地位均等的意思。
否则人家会以为我们主张两极分化,拉大贫富之间的距离。这里的egalitarianism 可以用leveling-out 来代替。
旅游的热点 a hot spot of tourism 那么这里的 hot spot 就有可能引起麻烦,因为hot spot 可以被理解为 place where (e.g.) trouble is likely
(Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary)。(可以考虑:a popular destination of tourists / a popular tourist attraction / a Mecca of
tourists。)
摸着石头过河 crossing the river by feeling the stones ( 可以考虑:“wading across the stream by feeling the way,”so to speak。)

6. 对于有些从英语翻译过来的词语,在翻译成英语时本应用回译的方法还原;可是有些人却按汉语的字面意思或者发音加以重新翻
译,其结果是“差之毫厘,失之千里”或者是失去地道性。例如:
把第一时间(来源于英语的 prime time) 译成 first time
把“卡丁车”中的“卡丁”(来源于英语的 cadet)译成 carding
把“第21届世界大学生运动会” 译成the 21st World Students Games, 而实际应为 the 21st Universiade

7. 有一些是非常蹩脚的错误百出的翻译。例如:
免淘米 needn’t wash rice ( 可以考虑:prewashed rice)
英雄高级纯蓝墨水,灌注各种金笔 Hero High Pure Blue Ink, Poured fountain pen ( 可以考虑“Hero”brand high-grade light-blue ink,
suitable for all types of fountain pen)
多文种字处理排版系统是您在文字处理中高效省时、经济方便的好帮手(广告语) MWP is your economic and effective assistant, it
can make your business easy. (可以考虑:Typographic word processing can make you very busy; but the MWP system can make the work
really easy)

8. 有的英译文走了样,不但起不到正面的宣传作用,反而会起反宣传的作用或副作用。例如:
一小时内免费上门送票(某航空公司推出的新的服务项目) Drop in to Give Ticket Free of Charge 其意思是“上门送免费机票”(应该
是: We offer free delivery service of air tickets at customers’doorsteps one hour after booking confirmation.)
海南岛的“天涯海角”The End of the World 其意思是“世界末日”或“大难临头”。要是这样,谁还愿意到那里去旅游?(应该
是 Land’s End / The Ends of the Earth)
修建辐射型的道路 to build radioactive roads 请注意: 这里指的是受辐射污染的道路。这种情况下,谁还敢来投资?还不赶紧躲得远
远的!(建议改为:to build a system of roads radiating out in several directions 或 to build a road system of wheel-spokes pattern)

9. 还有一些英译文是在不了解中外文化差异的情况下生硬地“移植”的。例如:
以外贸企业为龙头 with foreign trade enterprises as the dragon head 这里有两个问题:一是在西方人心目中dragon 是个令人生畏的怪
兽, 是个凶恶的形象; 二是国外的人不知道耍龙灯是怎么回事,当然也就无法知晓龙头的作用。如果改为 with foreign trade firms as
the locomotive 或 flagship,用尽人皆知的火车头或者旗舰作比喻,那么问题就迎刃而解了。

10. 有时候所谓的译文只不过是把汉字写成拼音,这根本不能算做翻译。例如:
治咳川贝枇杷露 Zhike Chuanbei Pipalu 等于没有翻译 (似应译为: a cough syrup prepared with extracts from frillary bulbs and loquat leaves)
“……创业大楼” …Chuangye Tower 其中一半没译,一半译错了(实际上那座大楼并不是一座塔楼)。这里的“创业大楼”似乎
可以译为enterprise building。
刻有‘南天一柱’、‘海判南天’的巨石 huge stones engraved with Chinese characters“Nantian Yizhu” and“Haipan Nantian”这叫
谁能看懂?“南天一柱”、“海判南天” 似可分别译成 A Pillar Piercing into the Southern Sky, and the Sea Rising Against the Sky in the
South
“上海皮鞋”Shanghai pixie 非但没有达到翻译的目的,反而会引起莫名其妙的歧义,因为在英语中存在pixie 这个词,它是指童话
中的小仙子、小精灵。那末Shanghai pixie 就有可能被误解成“上海小精灵”了。

11. 在对汉语原文没有进行认真理解,并不知其所云的情况下就盲目着手按字面进行翻译,其结果很可能是文不对题。例如:
超值享受 super value enjoyment (比较:enjoyment with extra benefits)
人文奥运 People’s Olympics (比较:Culture-Enriched Olympics)
科技奥运 High-tech Olympics (比较:Technology-Empowered 或 Propelled Olympics )

12. 有时汉语原文的语言十分夸张,充满了过度渲染的形容词 (charged adjectives),这对于中国读者来说是习以为常的事情。但


是,如果照直译成英语,西方人就难以接受。例如:
有的旅游广告把自己那一块地方说成是“人间仙境,世外桃源”,而且被翻译成earthiy(原文如此) fairyland。其实 fairyland 是指神
奇美妙的童话世界(比如可以说This toy-shop is a fairyland for young children),可在这里完全不适用。而且用 the Garden of Eden,
paradise 等说法也不太合适。最好是用平淡朴素的词语(比如a retreat / beaten track away from the hustle and bustle of the city), 这样反而
更加能被西方人所接受。
再比如,某个富于创新的科技园区,被描写成这是一片神奇的土地,这对中国人来说是可以接受的,因为我们为自己的成就感到
自豪,我们习惯于运用夸张的语言。但是,如果把它直译为 This is a magic land / marvelous land / wonderland, 对西方人来说,它既没
有实际意义,又容易引起反感。还不如改用朴素具体的词语来得实在:This is a place renowned for its abundance of talent and
innovation.

13. 说话的语气或口气是否恰当也会影响宣传效果。有些宾馆饭店的旅客须知就是以居高临下、盛气凌人的口气说话,那么这种
宣传材料就很可能给人留下不好的印象。例如:
■ 旅客登记时,须凭足以证明本人身份的有效证件,并说明住宿原因。
■ 旅客必须遵守宾馆饭店的规章制度,服从工作人员的管理,爱护饭店的公共财物。
■ 对违反上述规定的旅客,饭店有权责成改正。其英译文的口气当然也是十分生硬:
■ Guests are requested to show their own valid papers to prove their identities and to tell the reason for lodging when they check in at the hotel.
■ Every guest has the obligation to abide (by) the rules and regulations of the hotel, cooperate with the personnel in carrying out their duties and
take good care of the property in the hotel.
■ The authority of the hotel has the right to reason with anyone who has violated (the) regulations mentioned above. (黑体是后加的)
上述规定是十多年前制定的(并且是针对“内宾”的),显然已经不能适应当前改革开放环境的需要。如今的宾馆必须用非常客气
的口气对客人说话才行, 因为顾客是上帝。其中包括要求客人遵守有关的规定,也必须非常客气。试比较下面的几种表达方法
(参考英语国家饭店的有关规定):
■ Please help us to speed up your check-in by presenting your ID.
■ Our guests are kindly expected to heed the rules and regulations. Your cooperation will be appreciated in making our services effective.
■ In the unlikely event that something in the room is broken or damaged, please let the Floor Desk know immediately.
■ If you find the robe in the bathroom to your liking, you are welcome to contact the Front Desk for a purchase deal.
■ If your departure time does not coincide with our 12 Noon checkout timing, please call our Reception Desk and every effort will be made to
accommodate you.

562.小李只会抱怨她的男朋友。
[误] Xiao Li did nothing except complaining about her boyfriend.
[正] Xiao Li did nothing except complain about her boyfriend.

注: (1) Except is followed by an infinitive without to, not by the verb-ing form.(except 用作连词)
(2) except do something
I couldn't do anything except sit there and pray.

(to be continued)

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