Professional Documents
Culture Documents
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
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。
Index:
Page 08
http://www.rainlane.com/dispbbs.asp?boardid=11&star=8&replyid=1452&id=12354&skin=0&page=1
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.
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.
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.
***此题待商榷。请参见:http://www.rainlane.com/dispbbs.asp?boardID=11&ID=10536 ***
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
21. 这个教授教得很烂。
[误] The professor teaches badly.
[正] The professor is so terrible.
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.
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.
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?
Please see:
http://www.rainlane.com/dispbbs.asp?boardid=8&id=13364&star=1#65796
"I wish he'd get lost and stop bothering me. I don't want to talk to him!"
(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.
(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。
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.
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.
30. 一群蚂蚁
[误] a group of ants
[正] a colony of ants
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<a%20target=_blank%20href=http://www.
cjvlang.com/Spicks/fengqing.html>http://www.cjvlang.com/Spicks/fengqing.html</a>http://www.cjvlang.
com/Spicks/fengqing.html
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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: 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
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.
47. 干杯!要一饮而尽。
[误] ---Cheers! Bottom up.
[正] ---Cheers! Bottoms up.
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.
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.
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.
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.
54. 我有一个舒适的家。
[误] I have a cozy family.
[正] I have a cozy home.
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.
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.
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.
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.
61. 那本书毫无价值可言。
[误] That book is invaluable.
[正] That book is valueless.
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.
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.
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.
66. 我们是不信上帝的。
[误] We do not believe God.
[正] We do not believe in God.
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?
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.
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.
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.
71. 车来了。您先请。
[误] Here comes the car. You go first, please.
[正] Here comes the car. After you.
73. 你真是红光满面。
[误] Your face is all red.
[正] You are in ruddy health.
74. 你该吃晚饭了。
[误] It's time to eat your dinner.
[正] It's time to have your dinner.
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.
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.
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.
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?
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.
83. 我是一个中国人。
[误] I am a Chinese.
[正] I am Chinese.
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.
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.
92. 爸爸总爱发脾气。
[误] Dad always likes losing his temper.
[正] Dad is apt to lose his temper.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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。
(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)
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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?
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.
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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
135. 这是个口误。
[误] It is an oral mistake!
[正] It is a slip of the tongue!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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。
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
185. 隐形眼镜
[误] invisible glasses
[正] contact lenses
186. 月夜
[误] moon night
[正] moonlit night/moonlight night
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。
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.
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。]
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
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
在下列美国俚语中,George 也是用于泛指的,请看:
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。
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
littlebear
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
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
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.
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,
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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
225. 我哥哥是个跳舞迷。
[误] My brother is a dance mania.
[正] My brother has a mania for dancing.
226. 加拿大有多少人口?
[误] How many population has Canada?
[正] What is the population of Canada?
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.
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.
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.
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.
231. 假期从明天开始。
[误] The vacation begins from tomorrow.
[正] The vacation begins tomorrow.
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.
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.
236. 你是怎么认识他的?
[误] How you come to know him?
[正] How come you to know him?
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.
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.
241. 他们的希望全部破灭了。
[误] Their hope fell to 0.
[正] Their hope fell to zero.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
251. 这机器要修理。
[误] The machine wants to repair.
[正] The machine wants to be repaired.
. The machine wants repairing.
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.
254. 昨夜他喝得大醉。
[误] He was much drunken last night.
[正] He was much drunk last night.
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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
282. 人的贪欲是个无底洞。
[误] Human greed is a bottomless hole.
[正] Human greed is a bottomless pit.
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.
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.
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.
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...
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:“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.
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.
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.
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。
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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: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.
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.
316. 这可是件大事!
[误] This is a big thing!
[正] This is an important matter!
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.
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.
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:“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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
371. 他又犯了一个拼写错误。
[误] He made another spelling mistake again.
[正] He made another spelling mistake.
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.
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.
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.
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.
376. 不要再费口舌了。
[误] Don't waste your words again.
[正] Save your breath.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
387. 你今年多大了?
[误] How old are you this year?
[正] How old are you?
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.
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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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?"
399. 我们是未来的教师。
[误] We are would-be teachers.
[正] We are future[或 prospective] teachers.
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?
SteveWang
74. 你该吃晚饭了。
[误] It's time to eat your dinner.
[正] It's time to have your dinner.
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.
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.
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
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.
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)
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?
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.
402. 那座寺庙值得一看。
[误] The temple is worthwhile visiting.
[正] It is worth while visiting the temple.
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
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.
SteveWang
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
SteveWang
hoho, kidding
pleased to meet ya
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.
402. 那座寺庙值得一看。
[误] The temple is worthwhile visiting.
[正] It is worth while visiting the temple.
403. 他有份不错的工作。
[误] She had a very worth while job.
[正] She had a very worthwhile job.
404. 他值得我们尊重。
[误] He is worthy our respect.
[正] He is worthy of our respect.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
417. 他在吗?---不在。
[误] ---Is he in? ---No, he is absent.
[正] ---Is he in? ---No, he is out/not in.
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.
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.
421. 他是自愿参加的。
[误] He participated out of his own accord.
[正] He participated of his own accord.
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.
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.
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?
426. 他又干了件傻事。
[误] He made another stupid act.
[正] He committed another stupid act.
427. 和为比言词更重要。
[误] Acts are more important than words.
[正] Actions are more important than words.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
446. 这是助听器。
[误] It's an aid hearing.
[正] It's an aid to hearing.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
458. 我们都很疲劳。
[误] We all are tired.
[正] We are all tired.
459. 我把它们都吃了。
[误] I've eaten all them.
[正] I've eaten them all.
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.
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.
462. 整个夏天他都很忙。
[误] He was busy in all summer.
[正] He was busy all summer.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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?
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.
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~.
[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。
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
pighead
----------------------------------------------
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
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
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。
---《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。)
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?)
---《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.
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.
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.
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?
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: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.
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.
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.
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?
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.
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.
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.
504. 我非常感谢你的厚意。
[误] I greatly appreciate you for your kindness.
[正] I greatly appreciate your kindness.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
511. 我不喜欢现代艺术。
[误] I don't like modern arts.
[正] I don't like modern art.
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.
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.
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.
518. 我有很多男性朋友。
[误] I have many boyfriends.
[正] I have many male friends.
519. 我的朋友住公寓大楼。
[误] My friend lives in a mansion.
[正] My friend lives in an apartment.
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.
521. 他很有趣。
[误] He's so interesting.
[正] He's so funny.
522. 能给我减价吗?
[误] Price down?
[正] Can I get a discount?
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)
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.:
in my/his/her opinion
in her view
(2) effect (n.)=result效应=a change that is produced in one person or thing by another
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.
(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.:
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)
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.
(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.
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.
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.
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)
(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 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).
(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.
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
(3) Other is used for referring to additional people or things of the type already mentioned or known about.
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."
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.
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.:
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.:
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.:
(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.:
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:
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.
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.
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.
(2) edad (adj.): Dead as an adjective means no longer living, as in "Ann ran over a dead skunk."
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
(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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
553.王先生还说什么了?
[误] What did Mr. Wang say else?
[正] What else did Mr. Wang say?
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)
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?
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.
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.
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.
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
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 )
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)