2013年5月19日星期日

翻譯:异曲同工:英语中与中国谚语相当的表达

中国有很多谚语说的很棒,言简意赅,其实在英语中也有很多表达,跟这些谚语有异曲同工之处。下面我们就来看几句英汉相当的谚语,学习一下吧。

1.World is but a little place, after all. 天涯原咫尺,到处可逢君。

Explanation: It is used when a person meets someone he knows or is in someway connected with him in a place where he would never have expected to do so.

当一个人在一个地方非常意外地碰到熟人的时候就可以用这句话,看下面的例子:

Example: Who would have thought I would bump into an old schoolmate on a trek up Mount Tai. The world is but a little place after all.

2. When in Rome, do as the Romans do. 入乡随俗

Explanation: Conform to the manners and customs of those amongst whom you live.

Example: I know you have egg and bacon for breakfast at home, but now you are on the Continent you will do as the Romans do and take coffee and rolls.

3. What you lose on the swings you get back on the roundabouts. 失之东隅,收之桑榆

Explanation: A rough way of starting a law of average; if you have bad luck on one day you have good on another; if one venture results in loss try a fresh one---it may succeed.

Example: He may always possess merits which make up for everything; if he loses on the swings, he may win on the roundabouts.

4.What are the odds so long as you are happy. 知足者常乐

Explanation: What does anything else matter if a person is happy.

Example: You complain so much, but you have a good family, parents, health, and money. What's the odd so long as you're happy.

5.Entertain an angel unawares. 有眼不识泰山

Explanation: To receive a great personage as a guest without knowing his merits.

Example: In the course of evening someone informed her that she was entertaining an angel unawares, in the shape of a composer of the greatest promise.

6.Every dog has his day. 是人皆有出头日

Explanation: Fortune comes to each in turn.

Example: They say that every dog has his day; but mine seems a very long time coming.

7.Every potter praises his own pot. 王婆卖瓜,自卖自夸

Explanation: people are loath to refer to defects in their possessions or their family members

Example: he said that his teacher considered his work brilliant, but I would rather hear it from his teacher’s own mouth. Every potter praises his own pot.

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