The English Learner's Guide to Chinglish

YUNONGFENG

81. 未经允许，任何人不得入内。
[误] Anybody can not come in without permission.
[正] Nobody can come in without permission.
注：“任何......都不”是汉语中常用字的否定句式，而在英语中，any 构成的合成词及其所修饰的词语作主语时，谓语动词是不能用否定形式的。因此，any ... not 的用法不符合英语的表达习惯，须用“否定形式的主语+肯定形式的谓语”替换。但是，any 构成的合成词及其所修饰的词语作主语时，如果带有后置定语，那么其谓语也可以用否定形式。如：Anyone who does that isn't honest（干那种事的人都是不诚实的）。
82. 听到这个消息，没有一个人不感到兴奋。
[误] Having heard the news, nobody did not feel excited.
[正] Having heard the news, everybody felt excited.
注：汉语中把主、谓语同时否定以表示肯定，但这不符合英语习惯，所以 nobody...not 的结构在英语中是不正确的。翻译这类句子时，可像上面正确的译文那样，把主语和谓语都改成肯定形式；也可用“there be + 否定的主语 + 否定形式的定语从句”来表达，即：There was nobody who did not feel excited 或者 There was nobody but felt excited.
83. 我是一个中国人。
[误] I am a Chinese.
[正] I am Chinese.
注：第一句译文是不地道的，正确的说法应该去掉不定冠词，或者说 I am a Chinese man。同样，He is an English 也没有 He is English 或 He is an Englishman 好。
84. 母狼为了保护幼崽同猎豹展开了殊死的搏斗。
[误] The female wolf fights against the leopard so as to protect her whelps.
[正] The she wolf fights against the leopard so as to protect her whelps.
注：汉语一般用“公”、“母”或“雌”、“雄”来区分动物的性别，而英语中，有一部分动物是雌雄各有其名，例如：cock（公鸡）和 hen（母鸡），stag（雄鹿）和 doe（雌鹿）等；而另一部分则是用 male 和 female 加以区分，如：male leopard（公豹），female panda（母熊猫）等；当然，也有例外的情况，如：bull elephant（公象）和 cow elephant（母象），he wolf（公狼）和 she wolf（母狼）等。
85. 使我高兴的是，我儿子对意大利语也略知一二。
[误] To my joy, my son know a thing or two about Italian.
[正] To my joy, my son knows something about Italian.
注：有些英语词语在字面上同汉语十分相似，但实则貌合神离，如果不求甚解很容易出错。例如，know a thing or two 就不表示“略知一二”，而是“很有经验，精明强干”的意思。
86. 你希望什么时候成家呢？
[误] When do you want to start a family?
[正] When do you want to get married?
注：中文的“成家”是“结婚”的意思，而英文 start a family 的含义却是“生第一个孩子”，二者完全不是一回事。
87. 宁做鸡头，不做凤尾。
[误] Better be the head of a cock than the tail of a phoenix.
[正] Better be the head of a dog than the tail of a lion.
注：每种语言中都有许多约定俗成的表达，没有什么道理好讲，但使用时则需遵照各自的语言习惯。中文是“鸡头”和“凤尾”比，而英语中却要用“狗头”和“狮尾”。
88. 海伦就像一只骄傲的公鸡，从来不爱搭理别人。
[误] Helen is proud as a cock, and she never talks to others.
[正] Helen is proud as a peacock, and she never talks to others.
注：“孔雀”在中国人眼里是美丽和吉祥的象征，而公鸡因为常把头昂得高高地，尾巴翘到了天上，摆出一副盛气凌人的架子，因此成了“骄傲”的化身。但西方文化不注重孔雀美丽的一面，认为它们很骄傲，所以英美人在形容一个人骄傲、狂妄和爱慕虚荣时，就把他（她）比作 peacock。
89. 因为没有吃的，那个索马里的小男孩瘦得像猴子。
[误] That Somali boy is as thin as a monkey because of the lack of food.
[正] That Somali boy is as thin as a shadow because of the lack of food.
注：同一事物，在不同的文化里可能引起不同的联想，具有不同的内涵。所以，在一种语言中用这种事物作比喻，而在另一种语言中很可能会有不同的表达。这样的例子中英文还有很多，例如：as timid as a hare（胆小如鼠），as strong as a horse（力大如牛），as poor as a church mouse（一贫如洗）等。
90. 索菲娅望子成龙心切，给儿子报名参加了许多补习班。
[误] Sophia hopes to see her son become a dragon, therefore she enters his name for many classes of supplementary schooling.
[正] Sophia hopes that her son will have a bright future, therefore she enters his name for many classes of supplementary schooling.
注：“龙”在中国人心目中象征着神圣和万能，但在西方人的印象中却是可怕的，《圣经》里就把“龙”描述成了罪恶的象征。所以在翻译“望子成龙”时需要意译。
91. 由于街道的扩建，道路两旁矮小的房屋全部被拆除了。
[误] The short and small houses on both sides of the road have been demolished due to its widening.
[正] The low and small houses on both sides of the road have been demolished due to its widening.
注：英语中，形容人或树等的高矮要用形容词 tall 和 short；但是指山峦、房屋或其它建筑物的高矮，我们通常用 high 和 low。
92. 爸爸总爱发脾气。
[误] Dad always likes losing his temper.
[正] Dad is apt to lose his temper.
注：like doing something 表示“喜欢干某事”，一般用来说明某人的兴趣爱好；而 be apt to do sth.则表示“常常发生某种行为”或“容易发生某种变化”。根据原文的意思显然应该用后者。
93. 欧文按捺不住激动的心情，大声喊道：“我中奖了！”
[误] Owen couldn't hold back his exciting feeling, and he shouted, "I've got the winning number in the bond!"
[正] Owen couldn't hold back his excitement, and he shouted, "I've got the winning number in the bond!"
注：exciting feeling 这种搭配很不地道，虽然“振奋人心的消息”是 exciting news，“有趣的故事”是 interesting story，但“激动的心情”却要用名词形式 excitement 来表达。
94. 丹尼斯自己不努力，还老是眼红别人的成就。
[误] Denis himself doesn't work hard, however, he is always red-eyed of other people's achievements.
[正] Denis himself doesn't work hard, however, he is always green-eyed of other people's achievements.
注：中国人说一个人嫉妒用“眼红”，但英美人则用“眼绿”来形容。英语的 green 除了表示颜色之外还有“嫉妒”的意思，又如：I was absolutely green (with envy) when I saw his splendid new car（我看到他那辆漂亮的新车非常眼红）。其实，英语中许多表示色彩的词汇都有特殊的含义，不能照字面去理解。再比如：He gave me a black look（他恶狠狠地蹬了我一眼）；She visits us once in a blue moon（她难得来看我们一次）等。
95. 夏天要多喝白开水。
[误] You should drink more white boiled water in summer.
[正] You should drink more plain boiled water in summer.
注：“白开水”不是指“水的颜色是白色”，而是指“水中没有添加其他的东西”。而 plain 正是指“没掺杂其他东西的，单纯的”，所以能确切表达原文的含义。
96. 对不起，我把课本忘在家里了。
[误] Sorry, I forgot my textbook at home.
[正] Sorry, I left my textbook at home.
注：原文中的“忘”是指“落在家里”的意思，不能翻译成英文的 forget，而应用表示“把...留在某地，丢下，落下”等的意思的 leave。
97. 中国足球队击败了日本队，从而取得了参加半决赛的资格。
[误] The Chinese football team beat the Japanese team, and is qualified to play in the half-finals.
[正] The Chinese football team beat the Japanese team, and is qualified to play in the semifinals.
注：semi- 是英语里的一个前缀，表示“半”，例如：automatic 是“自动的”，那么 semiautomatic 就表示“半自动的”；diameter 指“直径”，那么 semi-diameter 就指“半径”；monthly 指“月刊”，那么 semi-monthly 就表示“半月刊”。以上这些都跟 semifinal（半决赛）一样，是约定俗成的。
98. 在自然灾害期间，绝大多数人都过着半饥半饱的生活。
[误] During the natural calamity, most people were half hungry, half full.
[正] During the natural calamity, most people were underfed.
注：under- 是一个英语前缀，表示“......不足的”，如：underdeveloped（经济发展不充分的），underage（未到法定年龄的）等。所以，underfeed 表示“未喂饱的，食物不足的”。汉语中“半......半......”的结构可以翻译成 half...half...，例如：As for this matter, I am half-believing, half-doubting（对于这件事我是半信半疑的）；This composition is half literary, half vernacular（这篇文章写得半文不白的）。
99. 汉语是我们的母语。
[误] Chinese is our mother language.
[正] Chinese is our mother tongue.
注：tongue 除了指“舌头”，还可以用来指“语言，方言”，如 the Spanish tongue 并非指“西班牙舌头”，而是指“西班牙语”。我们常说的有“语言天赋”，英语里相应的表达是 the gift of tongues。“母语”在英语中用 mother tongue 表达，还可以说 parent language 或 linguistic parent，但 mother language 的说法却是不地道的。
100. 我爷爷是奔75的人了。
[误] My grandpa is running for seventy-five.
[正] My grandpa is getting on for seventy-five.
注：run for 有“竞赛，竞选”之意，如：run for Congress（竞选国会议员），run for the presidency（竞选总统）等。而 get on for 才表示“接近”，它通常用进行时态，后面一般跟年龄或者时间，如：It's getting on for midnight（快到半夜了）等。
***(1). push thirty[forty,etc.]已经快到三[四...]十岁了：
She would like you to think so, but she's pushing thirty.
You wouldn't think so to look at him, but he's pushing 40.
(2). get on for[towards]快到（某时间），快（多少岁）：
It's getting on for nine o'clock.
He must be getting on for forty now.
Here you are getting on toward thirty.
(3). 年龄的一些说法：
1) I'm twenty.（常用）
2) I'm twenty years old.（常用）
3) I'm twenty-year-old.（不常用）
4) I'm twenty years of age.（书面）
5) I'm aged twenty (years).（书面）
6) My age is twenty (years).（不常用）
7) I come into the age of twenty.（不常用）
8) I'm in my teens.（不常用）
in one's early teens（不常用）
在十三四岁年纪
not yet out of one's teens（不常用）
还没有到20岁
101. 正如中国的一句俗话：“笨鸟先飞”。
[误] As an old Chinese saying goes, "Stupid birds have to start flying early."
[正] As an old Chinese saying goes,"Clumsy birds have to start flying early."
注：“笨鸟先飞”常用来比喻那些能力差的人，因为做事怕落后，所以就提前行动。这里的“笨”并非 stupid（智力低下的，愚蠢的）的意思，而用 clumsy（笨拙的，不灵巧的）更恰当。
102. 艾达把“发音”一词拼写错了，不过只是个笔误。
[误] Ida misspells the word "pronunciation", however, it is only a mistake of pen.
[正] Ida misspells the word "pronunciation", however, it is only a slip of the pen.
注：与 mistake（错误，误会，过失）相比，slip 更侧重于由于不经意或疏忽而造成的错误，所以“口误”一般译为 a slip of the tongue，同样，“笔误”就翻译成 a slip of the pen。
103. 我们将口头对这一问题做个表决。
[误] We shall take an oral vote on this problem.
[正] We shall take a voice vote on this problem.
注：voice 除了指“说话声，嗓音”之外，还有“（公开或正式表达出的）意见，愿望”的意思。voice vote 又叫“呼声表决”，即参加表决者叫喊“同意”或“不同意”，按呼声响亮的一方决定。而 oral 则强调“以口头的方式”，例如：oral practice（口头练习），oral examination（口试），oral report（口头汇报）等，但“口头表决”英语却没有 oral vote 之说，而习惯用 voice vote。
104. 内德有一条瘸腿。
[误] Ned has a lame leg.
[正] Ned is lame in one leg.
注：lame 作“瘸的，跛的，残废的”讲，一般用作表语，且其主语往往是人或动物，例如：go lame（变成瘸子），be lame in/或 of one leg（一条腿跛的）。当 lame 用作定语时，它常表示“站不住脚的，有缺陷的”，例如：a lame excuse（站不住脚的借口），a lame imitation（低劣的仿制品）。
105. 我舅舅的胃病又犯了。
[误] My uncle has got another attack of stomach disease.
[正] My uncle has got another attack of stomach trouble.
注：英语同汉语一样，也有很多约定俗成的表达法。同样是“病”，心脏病可以说 heart disease，但胃病、肝病、眼病等就习惯说成 stomach/liver/eye trouble。
106. 奥尼尔是首位进入决赛的种子选手。
[误] O'Neil is the first seed player to reach the final.
[正] O'Neil is the first seed to reach the final.
注：seed 的愿意是“种子，萌芽”，后被引申为“种子选手”，所以这时不必再加 player。类似的词还有“植物人”（vegetable），它被翻译成英语时“人”字也不必译出。
107. 因为玛吉请了三天病假，所以她必须把落下的课补上。
[误] Since Maggie asked for a sick leave of three days,she should make up for her lost lessons.
[正] Since Maggie asked for a sick leave of three days,she should make up her lost lessons.
注：同样表示“弥补，补偿，补足”，make up 后面一般接具体的名词，如：make up a missed lesson（补课），a make-up examination（补考）等；而 make up for 后面的名词通常比较抽象，如：make up for the lost time（弥补时间上的损失），make up for one's defects（补其所短）等。
108. 对不起，因为交通繁忙，我迟到了20分钟。
[误] Excuse me, I am twenty minutes late because of the busy traffic.
[正] Excuse me, I am twenty minutes late because of the heavy traffic.
注：busy 的确可以作“繁忙”讲，如：the busy farming season（农忙季节），a busy day（繁忙的一天）等，但“交通繁忙”却是约定俗成的说法，要用 heavy 形容 traffic，而不是 busy。在大城市，交通一般都比较繁忙，尤其在 rush hours（上下班的高峰期），常常会出现 traffic jam（交通阻塞）。如果要表达“街上车辆很少”，可以说 There is little traffic on the roads。
109. 在很久以前，这里曾经有座宫殿。
[误] There used to be a palace here before long.
[正] There used to be a palace here long before.
注：不要想当然地以为 before long 是指“在很久以前”，恰恰相反，它的意思是“不久以后”，例如：Harry Porter will be published before long（《哈利.波特》不久就要出版了）。而 long before 才相当于 long，long ago，表示“在很久很久以前”。
110. 你真是不要脸，居然干出这种事。
[误] You are so faceless that you should have done such a thing.
[正] You are so shameless that you should have done such a thing.
注：虽然 -less 主要附在名词或动词后面构成否定形容词，表示“没有，无，不”，如：fearless（无畏的），careless（不小心的），doubtless（无疑的）等，但 faceless 的意思却是“姓名不详的，匿名的，不露面的”。而“伤风败俗的，无耻的，不要脸的（人）”则要用 shameless 来表达，而 shameful 一般用来指“可耻的，丢脸的（行为）”，例如：shameful conduct（可耻的行为），a shameless exploiter（无耻的剥削者）。
111. 你们必须擦亮眼睛，弄清楚事情的真相。
[误] You should wipe your eye and find out the truth.
[正] You should remove the scales from your eyes and find out the truth.
注：英语里确实有 wipe one's eye 这一短语，但它表示“先发制人”或“使某人看到自己的狂妄”，而且这里的 eye 要用单数形式。而 scale 用作复数可比喻“障眼物”，英文的 remove the scales from one's eyes 才对应于中文的“擦亮眼睛”。
112. 瞧，树上有两只麻雀。
[误] Look, there are two sparrows on the tree.
[正] Look, there are two sparrows in the tree.
注：英语中，只有“长”在树上的东西才用介词 on，例如：There are lots of apples on the tree；其余均用介词 in，例如：The primitive built houses in the tree（原始人在树上建房子）。本例句也不例外。
113. 裘德在乡下有一块菜地。
[误] Jude has a piece of vegetable field in the countryside.
[正] Jude has a piece of vegetable plot in the countryside.
注：英语里 field 的确可指“（一块）田地”，如：a paddy field（一块稻田），terraced fields（梯田）等，但“菜地”却习惯称为 vegetable plot，而不是 field。 plot 指“小块土地，小块地皮”，如：an experimental plot of cotton（一块棉花试验田）。
114. 我妻子总喜欢留朋友吃顿便饭。
[误] My wife is fond of asking her friends to stay for a casual meal.
[正] My wife is fond of asking her friends to stay for a light meal.
注：casual 可作“不拘礼节的，非正式的”讲，如：clothes for casual wear（便服）。但“便饭”人们习惯用形容词 light，该词也有“随便的，不重要的”之意，如：a light conversation（闲谈）。
115. 要测量海水的深度不是一件容易的事情。
[误] It is a tough job to measure the depth of the sea.
[正] It is a tough job to fathom the depth of the sea.
注：要测量某人的身高，某人物体的长、宽、高，某两点间的距离，某物体的运动速度等，都可以用 measure 一词，例如：The room measures 10 meters across（这房间10米），但惟有测量水深时不用 measure，而要用 fathom。
116. 美国是个超级大国，不少人都梦想着能移民到那儿。
[误] The United States is a super country, and many people dream of immigrating into it.
[正] The United States is a superpower, and many people dream of immigrating into it.
注：super- 是一个前缀，表示“特大的，超级的”等含义，例如：supermarket（超市），superstar（超级明星），superman（超人）等。superpower 是“超级大国”的习惯表达，power 本身也有“强国，大国”的含义，如：an industrial power（工业强国），the imperialist powers（帝国主义列强）等。用 super country 表示“超级大国”是中国式的英语。
117. 哈罗德邀请一位女士到舞池里跳舞。
[误] Harold invites a lady to dance in the dance pool.
[正] Harold invites a lady to dance in the dance floor.
注：pool 在英语里是指“水塘”或“水池”，如 swimming pool（游泳池）等。而中文的“池”意思就多了，它在“舞池”中就指“旁边高中间低的地方”，再加上许多约定俗成的说法，所以，翻译时要具体情况具体对待。如：“舞池”英文是 dance floor，而“乐池”则为orchestra pit。
118. ---我们这是上哪儿去？
-    ---去我的住处。
[误] ---Where are we going to?
-    ---To my living place.
[正] ---Where are we going to?
-    ---To my dwelling place.
注：虽然 live 有“居住”的意思，但 living place 却是指“（房屋里）可居住的地方”，因为 living 作形容词所表达的意思是“适于居住的”。而 dwelling 本身就是名词，指“住处”或“寓所”，它也可以再修饰其他名词，如：dwelling house 或 dwelling place 等。
119. ---想喝点什么？
-    ---来杯淡茶吧！
[误] ---What would you like to drink?
-    ---A cup of light tea, pleas.   
[正] ---What would you like to drink?
-    ---A cup of weak tea, pleas.
注：一般说来，形容食物“清淡”用 light，例如：light soup（清汤），a light diet（清淡的饮食）等。形容烟、酒等“味淡的”则要用 mild，例如：The tobacco is very mild（这烟草儿很淡）。而“淡茶”的表达是 weak tea。与“淡”相对的是“浓”，可以翻译成 strong，例如：strong drinks（烈性酒），strong tea（浓茶）；也可以译成 thick，例如：thick soup（浓汤）等。
120. 有人看见一位妇女和两个孩子朝路那边走去。
[误] A woman with two children were seen walking down the road.
[正] A woman with two children was seen walking down the road.
注：在英语中，主语由 as well as, with, along with, together with 等连接时，谓语动词要与这些连接词前面的名词或代词保持一致。
121. 我们的班主任住在18栋楼4单元2号。
[误] Our head-teacher lives in Building 18, Entrance 4, No. 2.
[正] Our head-teacher lives in No. 2, Entrance 4, Building 18.
注：英语地址的写法同汉语相反，汉语是从大到小，而英语却是从小到大。例如：Bill Clinton lives in the Little Rock, Arkansas.（比尔.克林顿住在阿肯色的小石城）。
122. 如果你也那样做可就有失身份了。
[误] You would lose your identity if you'd follow suit.
[正] It would be beneath your dignity if you'd follow suit.
注：identity 是可以翻译成汉语的“身份”，如：The police made sure of his identity（警察查明了他的身份）及 an identity card（身份证）等，但它所表示的“身份”是“正身”或“个人及家庭的基本情况”。而“有失身份”的“身份”是指“一个人所处的地位和应有的尊严”，所以它不能翻译成 lose one's identity，而应用 beneath one's dignity 来表达。“在某人的尊严之下”(beneath one's dignity）不就是“有失身份”的意思吗？当然，它还可以用 not up to one's status/dignity/fame 之类的短语来表示。
123. 每个月的单号我们都有一场比赛。
[误] We have a match on single-numbered days of each month.
[正] We have a match on odd-numbered days of each month.
注：single 是“单一的，单个的”意思如：single-eyed（独眼的），single-handed（独手的，单枪匹马的）等。而 odd 才表示“单数的，奇数的”意思，如：odd houses（单号门牌的房子），odd month（有三十天的月份）等。
124. 大舌头的人发音都很糟糕。
[误] Big-tongued persons have terrible pronunciations.
[正] Thick-tongued persons have terrible pronunciations.
注：tongued 常和其他词构成复合词，如：loose-tongued（铙舌的，随口乱说的），silver-tongued（能言善辩的）等。说一个人是个口齿不清的“大舌头”，除了可用 a thick-tongued person 来表达，还可以用 a lisper 表达相同的意思。
125. 你可真是个人物啊！
[误] You are really a person.
[正] You are really a personage.
注：person 仅仅指一个普通的“人”，如：a young person（一个年轻人），a courageous person（一个勇敢的人）等。所以第一句译文的意思是“你真的是一个人”，好像在讽刺人似的。而 personage 指“要人，名流，显贵”，用这个词才能准确表达原句的意思。
126. 你为什么不走大路偏走小路呢？
[误] Why don't you take the big road instead of the small one?
[正] Why don't you take the main road instead of the path?
注：英语里常用 main 表示“主要的”，如：main line（铁路的主要干线）；main stem（河流的主要河道）；mainland（对小岛和半岛而言的“大陆”）等。而中文的“大路”就是“主干道”的意思，所以也应用 main 修饰。
127. 在动笔之前，你必须先打开思路。
[误] You should open your mind before you begin to write.
[正] You should broaden your mind before you begin to write.
注：open 表示“打开，张开”时，后面通常跟具体名词，而 broaden 表示“拓宽，扩大”，其后既可以跟具体名词搭配，又可以接抽象名词，如：broaden one's horizon（开阔眼界），The street broadens here（街道在这里变宽了）。mind 是个抽象名词，所以应与 broaden 搭配。
128. 那些人攒三聚五地聚在一起干嘛呢？
[误] What are those people gathering in threes and fives for?
[正] What are those people gathering in threes and fours for?
注：汉语中有些数词可以直接翻译成英文，如：“沧海一粟”（a drop in the ocean），“一箭双雕”（kill two birds with one stone）等。但是，也有不少数词不能进行等值翻译，上面所列的就是一例。除此之外，还有“乱七八糟”（at sixes and sevens），“再三考虑”（on second thought），“三三两两地”（by ones and twos）等。
129. 我爷爷的爷爷从生下来一直到死都没有离开过这座大山。
[误] My great great-grandfather had never left the mountain from birth to death.
[正] My great great-grandfather had never left the mountain from the cradle to the grave.
注：“从......到......”常可以翻译成 from ...to...，如：from ancient times to the present（从古至今），from beginning to end（从头到尾），from dawn to dusk（从早到晚）等。第一句翻译错就错在将“生”和“死”翻得太直白了，不符合英语的习惯。
130. 要想学习英语，必须首先学会查字典。
[误] In order to learn English, one must learn to look up the dictionary first.
[正] In order to learn English, one must learn to look up words in the dictionary first.
注：look up 表示“（在字典、词典、参考书等中）查找，查寻”，后面要跟查找的对象。所以，第一句译文搭配不正确，让人误以为是要“找字典”。原文还有另外一种表达方式，即 consult the dictionary，因为 consult 表达的正是“查阅（字典、书籍等）”。
131. 盖奇在船厂工作了30年。
[误] Cage has been working in a ship factory for thirty years.
[正] Cage has been working in a shipyard for thirty years.
注：英语中的 factory 与汉语的“厂”有时候可以对应，如：clothing factory（服装厂），chemical factory（化工厂），food products factory（食品厂）等，但也有例外，除了“船厂”要用 yard 以外，还有“酿酒厂”（brewery），砖瓦厂（brickfield），电厂（power plant）等。
132. 当心碰到脑袋。
[误] Take care of your head!
[正] Mind your head!
注：英语里提醒别人注意可以说：Take care! /Look out! /Be careful! 等，但 take care of 却表示“照顾，照料（某人或某物）”。而 mind 用作及物动词时表示“注意，留心，当心”，也有提醒注意的意思。如：Mind the wet paint（当心，油漆未干）等。
133. 买鞋油的钱你先垫着，我以后还。
[误] Please pay for the shoe oil for me. I'll pay back later.
[正] Please pay for the shoe polish for me. I'll pay back later.
注：鞋油的“油”不用 oil 表达，而要用 polish。polish 可以作“擦光剂”讲，也可以作“磨光，擦亮”讲，如：a desk with a high polish（表面光泽极好的书桌）。
134. 由于第三者插足，这对夫妻离婚了。
[误] The couple divorced because of the third person.
[正] The couple divorced because of a third party.
注：序数词一般常跟定冠词 the 连用，表示“第几”；而序数词和不定冠词 a 连用时表示的则是“另一个”。如：He won the third prize（他得了个三等奖），He won a third prize（他第三次得奖）。
135. 这是个口误。
[误] It is an oral mistake!
[正] It is a slip of the tongue!
注：“口误”要用 slip of the tongue（舌头滑了一下）表达，而 misake 一词太严重了，与汉语的内涵有出入。
136. 三思而后行。
[误] Think three times before you act!
[正] Think twice!
注：汉语中以“三”言其多，英国人却只要求“转念”即可，所以用 twice（二）。若将中国的思维强作移植，只恐果实滋味无人懂。
137. 这是她的口头禅。
[误] This is her habitual phrase.
[正] This is her pet phrase.
注： 习惯的短语？宠物的短语？若是像对宠物一般珍视和不离，这短语自然就是中国人所谓的“口头禅”了！
138. 生命短暂而艺术永恒。
[误] Life is short, and art is long.
[正] Art is long, and time is fleeting.
注： 这是一句传诵千古的名言，若直译成英文会显消极和晦气，没有了原汁原味的神韵。
139. 过河莫忘搭桥人。
[误] Don't forget the builder of the bridge when you cross the river.
[正] Prise the bridge he goes over.
注： 第一句虽不算错，但第二句意象一转，层面一变，可就简练形象多了！
140. 习惯成自然。
[误] Habit forms nature.
[正] Habit is second nature.
注： 第二句颇有后天习得之意味，妙处也就在于此。
141. 上梁不正下梁歪。
[误] If the upper beam is crooked, the one below is necessarily so.
[正] Fish begins to stink at the head.
注： 鱼要腐烂头先臭？西方人把中国人赋予建筑的喻义转接到了食物身上，异曲同工吧！记得不要直译哦！
142. 聊胜于无。
[误] Few is better than none.
[正] Half a bread is better than none.
注： 中国的四字成语言简意赅，而英文却将此形象化于西方人所熟悉的面包，亲切可触。
143. 忧愁伤身。
[误] Worry hurts body.
[正] Care killed the cat.
注： 既然莎翁（莎士比亚）用了一只可怜的猫，那么，就用猫好了。
144. 他输了这场球。一切都完蛋了。
[误] He has lost the game. The egg is over.
[正] He has lost the game. It has gone belly up.
注： 我们不知道中文“完蛋”二字的源头，但是英文表达里的 belly up 源自漂在水中的死鱼。怎么样？很生动吧！千万不要用鸡蛋把外国人搞得丈二和尚摸不着头脑哦！
145. 他俩好得能穿一条裤子。
[误] They are so close as if they could wear the same trousers.
[正] They are hand in glove.
注： 中国人的这一表达在西方人看来简直是莫名其妙，他们相应的说法是像手在手套里一样亲密无间。
146. 他资质平平。
[误] He has a normal intelligence.
[正] He has an average intelligence.
注： normal 言其正常，average 言其平庸。貌似一般，但内涵不同，绝对不可滥用。
147. 他这次可是搬起石头砸自己的脚。
[误] This time, he has carried a stone and let it fall on his own feet.
[正] This time, he has shot himself in the foot.
注： 中文和英文都用了“脚”，可是一个要用“石头”，一个要用“枪”。别记错了！
148. 他老是信口开河。
[误] He is always making his mouth flow like a river.
[正] He is always shooting off his mouth!
注： 中国人的这一比喻西方人是无论如何也理解不了的，他们不仅体会不到其中的夸张，还会以为这个人整天口水直流呢！
149. 这事儿八字还没一撇呢！
[误] I have not drawn the first part of the letter eight!
[正] It has not got to the first base!
注： 这句话与汉字形状有关，直译成英文真是要多怪有多怪。幸好英文里有一个类似表达，那就拿来用吧！
150. 她最爱给人当头泼凉水了。
[误] She loves pouring cold water over other's head.
[正] She loves throwing a wet blanket on others.
注： wet blanket 在英语中指“令人扫兴的人或事”，而中文的“泼凉水”在这里也不是直泼，也是“令人扫兴”的意思。所以在某些时候，中国人的“泼凉水”等同于西方人的“抛湿毯子”呢！

YUNONGFENG

因为时间关系，以后每周发表1次，50条，望大家学习参考。

YUNONGFENG

151. 她老是为一些鸡毛蒜皮的小事烦心。
[误] She is always worrying over chicken feather and garlic skin.
[正] She is always worrying over nickel and dime.
注： 中文里拿细碎小物作比，英文中则用零钱碎钞为喻，两种文化，表达自然不同了。
152. 他是个软心肠。
[误] He is a soft-hearted man.
[正] He is a pushover.
注： 心肠软，其实也就是听不得别人几句好话，外力一推就身不由已了。在这里，英文不言局部的“心”，而只谈整体的“人”，与汉语的这个区别要记一记。
153. 我们俩得为这个错误负责。
[误] You and I am responsible for this mistake.
[正] I and you are responsible for this mistake.
注： 老师常常强调英文中要“先人后己”，但表达承担责任或接受指责等倒霉事时却例外，反其道而行之，这你知道吗？
154. 她儿子终于平安无事地回来了。
[误] Her son has finally come back, safe and eventless.
[正] Her son has finally come back, safe and sound.
注： “平安”可以用 safe 表达，可是“无事”呢？不要直译，因为 safe and sound 在英文里已经是固定搭配，直接拿来用吧，很地道的！
155. 别太沮丧了，众口难调嘛。
[误] Don't be frustrated. It is hard to cater for all tastes.
[正] Don't be frustrated. You can't please everyone.
注： 遇到这种情况，千万别钻牛角尖，找什么十足的对应，因为每种文化都是独特的。
156. 明日复明日，明日何其多。
[误] Tomorrow after tomorrow. How many tomorrows would there be?
[正] One today is worth two tomorrows.
注： 因为汉语独特的音韵特点，所以这句话用汉语重复起来有绵延效果，但直译成英文却韵味尽失。因此，这里英文将汉语丰富的内涵浓缩在短短几个词里，可谓与汉语各有千秋。
157. 一日不见，如隔三秋。
[误] It seems many years if they fail to see each other.
[正] Absence sharpens love.
注： 这里值得惊叹的是，英文中竟有如此美妙的句子与这句中文相对。它们一个含蓄，一个直白，但都一样的经典。
158.  有情人终成眷属。
[误] Lovers shall become couples in the end.
[正] All shall be well, and Jack shall have Jill.
注： 中文里千古传诵的句子，到了英文中却具体成了两个有名有姓的年轻人，而且还用了英文特有的修辞手法---头韵，妙极！
159. 我给年轻人的忠告就是多用耳朵，少用嘴巴。
[误] The advice I would like to provide the young people with is to use their ears more than their mouths.
[正] The advice I would like to provide the young people with is to be swift to hear but slow to speak.
注： 中文是用“耳朵”和“嘴”来指行为，很有特点；而英文用的是形容词与动词不定式的组合，既对称又对比鲜明。
160. 人言可畏。
[误] Words are horrible.
[正] Give a dog a bad name and hang him.
注： 此处的“人言”岂是直译为 words 所能表达的！所以还是用地道的英文谚语好 ---借“狗”来说人，有趣而且贴切。
161. 别五十步笑百步了，你并不比我做得好。
[误] Don't laugh at those who have covered 100 steps when you have covered 50. You have done no better than me.
[正] The pot calls the kettle black! You have done no better than me.
注： 以前，英国人烧水不是用 pot 就是用 kettle，而且它们的底总被熏得黑黑的。所以，“罐子笑锅黑”与我们的“五十步笑百步”一样，都很形象，只是两种文化所深沉的东西不一样，因此表达也就大相径庭了。如若直译，很难传神，甚至理解都成问题。
162. 一粒老鼠屎，坏了一锅汤。
[误] The mouse waste spoils the whole pot of soup.
[正] The rotten apple injures its neighbors.
注： 都来自生活小常识，都揭示人生大现象，可是，中英文选择的载体就是不一样。中国人熟悉的表达是“老鼠屎”，西方人则用“烂苹果”。
163. 史密斯先生觉得自己是个小人物，他多希望有一天能成为大人物啊！
[误] Mr Smith always considers himself a small figure, and how he wishes to be a big figure one day!
[正] Mr Smith always considers himself nobody, and how he wishes to be somebody one day!
注：“小人物”也好，“大人物”也罢，是言其地位，而非体格。nobody 和 somebody 能准确表达这一中文意思，而 small figure 和 big figure 是指“小个子”和“大个子”，不要混淆噢！
164. 三个臭皮匠，顶个诸葛亮。
[误] Three cobblers equal Zhuge Liang.
[正] Two heads are better than one.
注： 此类中文典故很难通过直译讲清楚，加上一大堆注释又无法传神，所以还不如用英文对应的习惯表达呢。
165. 文人相轻。
[误] Men of letters despise each other.
[正] Two of a trade never agree.
注： 虽然第二句英文说法比中文原文的所指范围要宽泛一些，但其精髓是相通的，值得比较记忆。
166. 一个巴掌拍不响，这事儿是他俩一块儿干的。
[误] One palm claps not ---this must have been done by them both.
[正] It takes two to tango ---this must have been done by them both.
注： 我们说“一个巴掌拍不响”，而西方人习惯用“探戈舞是需要两个人一块儿跳的”，但这两者的含义是那么的一致。
167. 江山易改，本性难移。
[误] It is easier to move the mountains than to change one's nature.
[正] A leopard can't change its spots.
注： “豹子改变不了身上的花斑”，英语里常用动物来说明事理。
168. 汤姆破产以后，他的那些朋友都不见了 ---他们不过是一些酒肉朋友。
[误] None of his friends has ever turned up since Tom went bankrupt ---they are nothing but friends of wine and meat.
[正] None of his friends has ever turned up since Tom went bankrupt ---they are nothing but fine weather friends.
注： 英语中的 fine weather friends 是指“顺境中的朋友”，其意思与我们的“酒肉朋友”是一样的，都是指“只能同甘，不能共苦的朋友”。
169. 他白手起家，把一家小工厂办成了跨国集团。
[误] He started from white hand, developing a small factory into an international business group.
[正] He started from scratch, developing a small factory into an international business group.
注： “白手”是“从零开始”的意思，而不是“白色的手”。所以，有时候直译是会贻笑大方的。scratch 作名词时曾有“起跑线”之意，所以 start from scratch 才是“白手起家”的正确翻译。
170. 这班上最高的男生成了她的靠山。
[误] The tallest boy in the class has become her backing hill.
[正] The tallest boy in the class has become her security blanket.
注： “靠山”只是个比喻说法，它是指“保护人”。但英国人不习惯用“靠山”作比喻，也不用我们常说的“保护伞”。也许他们认为被毯子包裹起来更有安全感吧。
171. 我心里有数，他将成为我最优秀的学生。
[误] I have numbers in my heart that he will be my best student.
[正] I feel in my bones that he will be my best student.
注： 如果将“心中有数”翻译成“心里有几个数字”，那外国人一定不明白是什么意思。而 feel in one's bones（在骨头里都感觉到了）不正充分表达了中文的意思吗？
172. 他把这工程做砸了，被老板骂得狗血淋头。
[误] He failed in the project and was poured the blood of dogs by his boss.
[正] He failed in the project and was given both barrels by his boss.
注： 在这里，barrel 是“枪筒”的意思。而 give sb. both barrels 指连续射击，狠狠打击对手，不给他喘息的机会。它与中文的“狗血淋头”不是一回事吗？
173. 他老爱吹牛，一点也不可信。
[误] He is always blowing the bull up and is not reliable at all.
[正] He is always talking big and is not reliable at all.
注： 将“吹牛”翻译成“把一头牛吹起来”的人可能并不多，但不知如何翻译的人也许不在少数。现在你知道了吗？talk big 就是“吹牛”的地道说法。
174. 别杞人忧天了，公司的状况很好。
[误] Don't worry about the falling sky. The company is going on quite well.
[正] Don't be a nervous Nellie. The company is going on quite well.
注： nervous Nellie 就是英文里那个忧心忡忡的“杞人”，那么为什么不直接拿来用呢！
175. 她做事总是拣了芝麻，丢了西瓜。
[误] She is always collecting sesame at the cost of watermelon.
[正] She is only penny-wise.
注： “拣了芝麻，丢了西瓜”是中文里对因小失大的形象比喻，但照搬到英文里则会让人糊涂。西方人怎样说呢？penny-wise! 即“只在小钱上精明”。但仔细想想它们是不是具有相同的意思呢？
176. 自从那件事发生以后，他总是魂不守舍的。
[误] His soul is absent from its dwell ever since the occurrence of that event.
[正] He has been having ants in his pants ever since the occurrence of that event.
注： “蚂蚁在裤腿里爬”当然会让人坐立不安了，这时与中文所说的“魂不守舍”是不是一个样子呢？只是中文用的是拟人的修辞手法，而英文用的是比喻。
177. 他累断了腰才把儿子抚养**。
[误] He broke his waist to bring up his son.
[正] He broke his neck to bring up his son.
注： 中国人说“累断了腰”，而英国人习惯用“累断脖子”。
178. 他俩总混在一块儿，可真是物以类聚啊。
[误] They stay together all the time ---similar objects are always together.
[正] They stay together all the time ---like to like.
注： 第一句译文也能达意，但怎能与言简意赅且富有乐感的 like to like 相比呢？
179. 小声点儿，隔墙有耳！
[误] Turn down your voice! There is a ear behind the wall!
[正] Turn down your voice! Walls have ears!
注： 在这里，地道的英文表达是用拟人的说法。“隔墙有耳”就是“墙也长耳”啊！
180. 他做事总是半途而废。
[误] He is in the habit of doing things by half.
[正] He is in the habit of doing things by halves.
注： by halves 已经成为英文中的一个习惯表达，表示做事情“有始无终”。擅加改动可就错了。
181. 露西最喜欢吃巧克力冰淇淋。
[误] Lucy most likes chocolate ice cream.
[正] Lucy likes chocolate ice cream best.
注： 中、英文有不同的语序。此句英文的最高级应放在句末，且固定的搭配应该是 like sth. better/best。
182. 建好新的高速公路恐怕要等到猴年马月了。
[误] The new motorway won't be ready until monkey's year and horse's month.
[正] The new motorway won't be ready for donkey's years.
注： 我们的“猴年马月”在英文中要用“驴年”表达，即 donkey's years。另外，英文中 till the cows come home 所表达的意思也与此相同，如：If you expect to get help from him, you will have to wait till the cows come home.
183. 请自重！
[误] Be respectful to yourself!
[正] Behave yourself!
注： 这句中文几乎是一种警告，不是 respectful 所能表达的。但 behave oneself 也不总表达如此严厉的语气，而且其中的 oneself 还可以省略。如：Children, please behave!（孩子们，乖一点！）另外，conduct oneself with dignity 也可以表达“自重”或“放规矩点”等相同的意思。
184. 他太激动了，以致无法从头至尾地把故事讲完。
[误] He was too excited to tell his story from the beginning to the end.
[正] He was too excited to tell his story from beginning to end.
注： 这有关英语零冠词的用法。在英语的某些固定短语中，是无需使用冠词的。除了上例，相似的还有 at this time of year/day（一年中的这个时候），in bed（在床上）等。
185. 隐形眼镜
[误] invisible glasses
[正] contact lenses
注： 一般的眼镜是用玻璃（glass）制成的，所以在英文中用 glass 表达。但隐形眼镜因为由特殊材料制成，并与人们的眼球直接接触（contact），因此名为 contact lenses。
186. 月夜
[误] moon night
[正] moonlit night/moonlight night
注： 英语中用名词作定语的情况很多，如：cloth market（布匹市场），women doctors（女医生），school gate（学校大门）等，但并不是万无一失的，类似的例子还有 sunny day 或 sunlit countyard等。
187. 虽说他们是两兄弟，但学习态度真有天壤之别啊！
[误] Though they are brothers, their attitudes of studying are really as different as sky and earth!
[正] Though they are brothers, their attitudes of studying are teally as different as night and day!
注： 还是取地道的英文表达最保险，但这需要平时就做有心人，注意积累。
188. 勇敢点孩子，别怕被人笑话。
[误] Be brave, boy, don't be afraid of being laughed by others.
[正] Be brave, boy. Don't be afraid of being laughed at by others.
注： 初学英语者易犯的一个错误就是用逗号连接两个独立和完整的英语句子。虽然中文里这样用可以，但英文里却不行，要用连词 and，so，though 等，或干脆用句号使其成为两个句子。另外，“笑话某人”应用 “laugh at sb.”，介词 at 不能忘，在被动语态中尤其要注意。
参见：Run-on sentences and sentence fragments
http://www.rainlane.com/dispbbs. ... p;skin=0&page=1
189. 随便叫个人来帮忙，张三李四都行。
[误] Get someone to help, Zhang San, Li Si or anyone else.
[正] Get any Tom, Dick or Henry to help.
注：中国人姓“张”和姓“李”的很多，所以汉语中用“张三李四”泛指任何人。英国人叫 Tom，Dick 或 Henry 的很多，所以我们的“张三李四”在英语中就成了“Tom，Dick or Henry”。
类例：老王= George?
Source: 《汉英词语翻译漫话》陈忠诚  著 p.9
《汉英词典》中，“老王卖瓜，自卖自夸”的汉语译文是：
1) Lao Wang selling melons praises his own goods. [此译文后还有一个注释（“---praise one's own ware or work”），但不是译文，姑不予置论。]
这句译文可谓紧扣原文、无懈可击。问题是外国读者能够理解 Lao Wang 并非特指具体的老王吗？
因此，是否可以从英语中物色一个具有通称作用的人名来译“老王”呢？在英语中，Tony 和 George 都曾被用作从事某种行当者的通称：
2) The ditchdiggers were all called "Tony" (as pullman porters were then[in 1920s]in U.S.called "George").
---Luigi Barzini: O America! London 1977, p.171
这就是说，在当年，凡挖沟工人，人多称之为 Tony；而“红帽子”，则人们都通称为 George！
那么，是否可以把“老王卖瓜，自卖自夸”中的老王译成 Tony 或 George 呢？Tony 可说不上，用 George 译“老王卖瓜......”中的老王，倒是可以考虑的。George 不仅是美国二十年代“红帽子”的通称，而且即使在二十世纪的八十年代，还在更大范围内用于泛指呢。下例中的 George 就是任何普通人的通称：
3) According to the latest government figures, 43 percent of the work force consists of females. Why are so many women choosing the career route? I believe it's because they want their own identities and satisfaction that comes with personal achievement. They are not content to settle for being "George's wife".
---"New Rules for the Marriage Game", Reader's Digest, 1982, p.91
例中的 “George's wife”如果译作“张婶”、“王嫂”，似乎是可以的。
George 之用于泛称（而不是指某一个真的名叫“乔治”的人），亦见于习语“by George”：
4) by George! an exclamation of mild surprise, determination, etc.
---WNWD
在下列美国俚语中，George 也是用于泛指的，请看：
5) Let George do it[美俚]让别人去干吧。
---《新汉英词典》
George 在这则俚语中竟成了“我”以外的所有人的通称了，其属泛指自更不待言了。
所以，至少在一定上下文中，似乎不妨把“老王卖瓜......”之类的老王（而不是真正的老王）译成 Grorge、把 George's wife 之类的 George （而不是，比如说，George Schults 之类的确有其人的 George）译成老王。
最后，关于 George 再说一个真实的故事。美国前国务卿黑格辞职不干后由舒尔茨接任，而舒尔茨的名字恰好是 George，正好应了“Let George do it”这句俚语。请看里根在乔治.舒尔茨宣誓就职时讲的几句话：
6) Reagan [at swearing-in of George Schults as Secretary of State to replace Haig]: “I am reminded of the saying, 'Let George do it.' George, I'll have a few things for you to do.”
---Time, December 27, 1982, p.26
190. 车速越来越快了。
[误] The speed of the car is getting faster and faster.
[正] The speed of the car is getting higher and higher.
注： fast 不能与 speed 连用，其固定搭配是 high。可以说 The car is getting faster and faster，但只能说 Our car is driving on the highway at an extremely high speed。
191. 他掌权以后立刻露出了本来面目。
[误] He showed his true face as soon as he got the power in his hand.
[正] He showed his true colors as soon as he got the power in his hand.
注： 注意，这里的 colors 要用复数，而且这一短语带有很强的贬义。再看下面的句子：She finished the work in flying colors（她出色地完成了任务）。这里的 colors 指“彩旗”，而飘扬的彩旗可是胜利的标志噢！
192. 敌人对我们又打又拉。
[误] The enemy striked and pulled us.
[正] The enemy used both the carrot and the stick towards us.
注： 英语里常用借代的修辞手法。又如：Pen is mightier than sword.
参见：Metonymy（转喻）：  
http://www.rainlane.com/dispbbs. ... p;star=3&page=1
193. 不就是一篇论文吗，小菜一碟。
[误] Just a paper? It's a small plate of dish.
[正] Just a paper? It's a piece of cake/as easy as a pie.
注： 我们用“小采一碟”表示“不成问题”，而英美人更习惯用蛋糕和派。这是典型的由文化差异引起的语言差异。
194. 我不信你会傻到帮他背黑锅。
[误] I don't believe you are foolish enough to carry the black pan for him.
[正] I don't believe you are foolish enough to hold the bag for him.
注： 这里的 bag 相当于 blame 或 responsibility，所以短语 hold the bag 指“代人受过”，与我们的“背黑锅”意思相同。
195. 不管别人怎么对你，我永远是支持你的。
[误] No matter how others may treat you, I'll always support you.
[正] No matter how others may treat you, I'll be always on your side.
注： support 一般指经济或行动上比较实在的帮助和支持，而 on one's side 则侧重于观点、立场等精神上的支持和一致。因此，这里用 on one's side 更符合愿意。
196. 她受丈夫的影响，成了不吃肉，只消费蔬菜、蛋和奶的素食者。
[误] Influenced by her husband, she changed into a vegan having eggs and milk only.
[正] Influenced by her husband, she changed into a vegetarian having eggs and milk only.
注： vegan 是“严格的素食主义者”，他们不仅不吃肉，而且连动物的副产品也不吃。而并不忌讳蛋和牛奶的“素食者”应用 vegetarian。
197. 你是在杀鸡取卵。
[误] You are killing the hen for her eggs.
[正] You are killing the goose that lays golden eggs.
注： “杀死生金蛋的鹅”典出一个广为流传的故事：一位农夫得到了一只会生金蛋的鹅，但因为嫌每天只得一个金蛋速度太慢了，于是贪得无厌的农夫在妻子的怂恿下杀了那只鹅，想取出它肚子里所有的金蛋，结果反而彻底断了自己的财路。现在，人们用 kill the goose that lays golden eggs 比喻“目光短浅”或“得不偿失”，正是中文“杀鸡取卵”的意思。
198. 他三言两语就解释清楚了整件事。
[误] He made the whole thing clear in three or two words.
[正] He made the whole thing clear in one or two words.
注： 虽然英语中的 one or two words 也是虚指，但所用的数字却与中文的不同。又如：三思（think twice），三心二意（in two minds），百里挑一（one in a thousand）等。
199. 他的恬不知耻让我起鸡皮疙瘩。
[误] His shamelessness gives me chick-pimples.
[正] His shamelessness gives me goose-pimples.
注： 中文的“鸡皮疙瘩”在英语中要用“鹅皮疙瘩”（goose-pimples）表达。这多半由饮食习惯的差异引起，因为鹅在中国可不像在英国那样常见。
200. 十之八九你不能按时完成任务。
[误] Eight or nine out of ten you will not be able to finish the assignment in time.
[正] Ten to one you will not be able to finish the assignment in time.
注： “十之八九”表示“很可能”，相当于 probably，与英语的习惯用语 ten to one 意思相同。

ywx1028

真是感谢楼主提供学习英语的机会！在此顶！顶！
顶！

YUNONGFENG

201. 爸爸给这张桌子上了一层新漆。
[误] Daddy painted the desk with a layer of paint.
[正] Daddy painted the desk with a coat of paint.
注：layer 和 coat，虽然翻译成中文都是“层”，但用法却不同。如：Onions have layers（洋葱是一层一层的），但涂上一层油漆却要用 coat。
A layer of smog settled over the city.
The cake has three layers.
These seeds must be covered with a layer of earth.
A layer of ice on the street.
You must put another coat of paint on this door.
Two coats of painting were needed to cover the old colour.
A coat of dust
202. 他喝起酒来像牛钦，但极少出交通事故。
[误] He drinks like a cattle, but seldom has traffic accidents.
[正] He drinks like a fish, but seldom has traffic accidents.
注：中国是个农业国，自古以来牛就是耕作的主要牲畜，所以中国人喜欢用牛，这一自己熟悉的动物来比喻。英国是个岛国，以渔业和航海业著称，所以那里的人们最为熟悉的动物就是鱼了。
203. 他已经到了山穷水尽的地步了。
[误] They are at the end of their road.
[正] They are at the end of their tether.
注：tether 是用来拴家畜的系绳，这些家畜只能在系绳尽头所能达到的范围内活动，所以 at the end of one's tether 被用来比喻能力等“达到了极限”。这里的 tether 有时也用 rope 替代。
204. 国家法律规定，不论贫富，一律征税。
[误] According to the state law, both poor and rich are taxed.
[正] According to the state law, both rich and poor are taxed.
注：两种语言的表达顺序往往存在差异，而且都是约定俗成的，不容改变。又如：前后（back and forth），新旧（old and new），悲欢（joy and sorrow），血肉（flesh and blood），钢铁（iron and steel），兴衰（fall and rise），南北（north and south）等。
205. 要在那么多书中找到我们想要的那本书简直就是大海捞针啊！
[误] To find a book we want in so many books is just as difficult as looking for a needle in the sea.
[正] To find a book we want in so many books is just as difficult as looking for a needle in a haystack.
注：a needle in a haystack（干草堆里的一根针）确实难找，与我们“大海捞针”的难度应该是半斤八两，而且，它可是英语中约定俗成的用法啊！
206. 面包和黄油是西方人极其喜爱的食品。
[误] Bread and butter are westerners' favorites.
[正] Bread and butter is westerners' favourite.
注：bread and butter 在这里应该被看成一个整体，所以谓语动词要用单数形式。又如：刀叉（knife and folk）等。
207. 失之东隅，收之桑榆。
[误] Lose where the sun rises and gain where the sun sets.
[正] What one loses on the swings, he gets back on the roundabouts.
注：第一句虽然将原文的意思忠实地表达了出来，但英国人仍然难以体会中文“日出之处日落之时”的内涵。因此，借用地道的英语说法才是最明智的选择。swings 是“秋千”，roundabouts 是“旋转木马”。swings and roundabouts 在英语中就表示“有得有失”。“失之东隅，收之桑榆”还可以直接用 It's all swings and roundabouts 来表达。
208. 塞翁失马，焉知非福。
[误] When the old man on the frontier lost his horse, who could tell it was not a blessing in disguise?
[正] A loss of many turns out to be a gain.
注：直译出的句子很长，有失原文的韵味。而且，英美人没有听过“塞翁失马”的故事，所以他们也未必能懂。还有一些其它的译法：A loss sometimes spells a gain.; Every cloud has a/its silver lining.; Misfortune may be a blessing in disguise.; Nothing so bad, as not to be good for sth.
209. 此地无银三百两。
[误] There isn't 300 liang of silver buried here.
[正] A guilty person gives himself away by conspicuously protesting his innocence.
注：民间故事，有个人把银子埋在土里，上面写了个字条：“此地无银三百两”；他的邻居阿二把银子偷走了，也写了个字条：“隔壁阿二不曾偷。” Folk tale. A man buried his silver in the ground and put up a note, saying: "Three hundred ounces of silver is not buried here." His neighbour Ah Erh stole the silver and also put up a note with this: "Your neighbour Ah Erh didn't steal it." ---A metaphor for one's being exposed by one's own vindication. 与上句一样，对不清楚故事背景的人，只有把一切解释得明白一点了。
210. 现在的家庭一般都用白糖而不用红糖。
[误] Nowadays households tend to use white sugar rather than red sugar.
[正] Nowadays households tend to use white sugar rather than brown sugar.
注：就像我们中国人不知道为什么要叫红糖（有的红糖其实是黄色的），恐怕英国人也不知道为什么要叫 brown sugar，约定俗成吧！另外，他们的 brown bread 我们却称作“黑面包”。类似一些说法还有：红眼病 green eyes；脸色发紫 black in the face；红茶 black tea；** blue film 等。
211. 对不起，小姐，恐怕我点的不是红茶而是绿茶。
[误] Sorry Miss, I'm afraid my order is not red tea but green tea.
[正] Sorry Miss, I'm afraid my order is not black tea but green tea.
注：与前面的例子一样，这又是无法解释的东西方颜色差异。又如：“黄色书籍”英文用 blue book，“又青又紫”英文称 black and blue。另外，西方人眼中的吉日是 a white day，如“婚礼”就被叫做 white wedding，因为新娘的婚纱是白色的（近年来，在中国，一些城里人也有去教堂举行婚礼的，自然新娘要穿白色婚纱）。而中国人传统上只有葬礼才用白色形容（如红白“喜事”）。
About this entry, please refer to: http://www.rainlane.com/dispbbs.asp?BoardID=26&ID=11151
212. 三个和尚没水喝。
[误] Three monks have no drinking water.
[正] Everybody's business is nobody's business.
注：后一句译文用最直白的方式将原文的内在含义准确表达出来，避免了文化差异带来的理解障碍。
213. 人才流失是我们面临的重大问题。
[误] Talents draining is a serious problem we are facing.
[正] Brain-draining is a serious problem we are facing.
注：talent 指的是“天才”，而原文中的“人才”是可以通过后天塑造的，而且 brain-draining 是表示“人才流失”的英文地道说法，用在这里更恰当。
214. 你怎么做出那样愚蠢的事情？真是让人笑掉大牙。
[误] What a fool you are to do such a thing! That really makes people laugh off their front teeth.
[正] What a fool you are to do such a thing! That really makes people laugh off their head.
注：“笑掉头”可比“笑掉门牙”更严重，看来英国人比我们还夸张。
215. 和他谈文学简直是对牛弹琴。
[误] To talk with him about literature is nothing but playing the lute to a cow.
[正] To discuss with him about literature is nothing but casting pearls before swine.
注：“对牛弹琴”可以借用英语中类似的现成说法。这种可以在英语中找到对应表述的情况很多，如：吹牛（to talk horse）；挥金如土（to spend money like water）；鹬蚌相争，渔翁得利（When shepherds quarrel, the wolf has a winning game）；近朱者赤，近墨者黑（Who heeps company with the wolf will learn the howl）。
216. 瞧，那个穿蓝衣服的是她的白马王子。
[误] Look, that one in blue is her White-horse Prince.
[正] Look, that one in blue is her Prince Charming.
注：西方人不会明白为什么一定是骑白马的王子，所以不如直接表现王子的俊朗魅力。管他白马、黑马，反正帅呆了！
217. 小姑娘红扑扑的脸上挂着微笑。
[误] The little girl's red cheeks are brightened by a smile.
[正] The little girl's rosy cheeks are brightened by a smile.
注：rosy cheeks 所指的红润脸颊展示着健康和美丽，而 red 是用来形容由害羞或窘迫引起的脸红。如：He went red when I asked about his girlfriend. 下面给出有关 red 的翻译：(For the time being, I cannot locate the post I posted on Rainlane months ago. I'll settle this later on.)
218. 韦尼格先生因酒后驾车被罚了100美元。
[误] Mr. Vinegar was punished $100 for drunken driving.
[正] Mr. Vinegar was fined $100 for drunken driving.
注：punish 后面不直接加具体惩罚，如：He was punished by long terms of imprisonment（他被处以长期监禁）或 He was unished to pay $100 for drunk driving。专门用来表示罚款的动词是 fine，其后可直接加被罚金额。
219. 挂羊头卖狗肉。
[误] Hanging a sheep's head while selling a dog's flesh.
[正] Cry up wine and sell vinegar.
注：嚷着卖酒，其实卖的却是醋，这也是名不符实的典型。至于为什么英语中用这样比喻，也许是因为英国人善饮，而视狗为宠物，一般不吃狗肉吧。
220. 吉尔的作业找不到了，急得像热锅上的蚂蚁。
[误] Failing to find her homework, Jill is just like an ant on a hot pan.
[正] Failing to find her homework, Jill is just like a cat on a hot tin roof.
注：试想，炎热的夏天，可怜的猫在晒得发烫的锡房顶上脚板都快被烤熟了，它既不敢跳下去，又不能飞到天上，其处境岂不是酷似“热锅上的蚂蚁”？
221. 我想要认识格林先生。
[误] I want to recognize Mr. Green.
[正] I should like to know Mr. Green.
注：中文说的“认识”在上句中只能用英文的 know 来译，如照字面直译为 recognize 就错了，因为英文的 recognize=know again，例如 He has changed so much that I can hardly recognize him.（他变得太厉害，我几乎不认识他了。）原来认识的人才可以用 recognize，第一次相识只能说 know。
222. 他父亲破产使他不能出国去留学了。
[误] The bankruptcy of his father has made him impossible to go abroad.
[正] The bankruptcy of his father has made it impossible for him to go abroad.
注：英文的 possible 或 impossible 一类的形容词，是要用“it”来作主语，不可以用“人”作主语的。
223. 如蒙早日赐复，不胜感激。
[误] I shall appreciate very much if you will reply at your earliest convenience.
[正] I shall appreciate it very much if you will reply at your earliest convenience.
注：作“感激”解的 appreciate 是及物动词，必须接有宾语，其他例如，I greatly apprreciate your kindness.（我非常感激你的好意。）
224. 他跟一个百万富翁的女儿结婚了。
[误] He married with the daughter of a millionaire.
[正] He married the daughter of a millionaire.
注：英文 marry 一字通常是用作及物动词的，共有三个意思。（1）结婚，包括娶和嫁，例如 He is going to marry Miss Wong.（他将娶王小姐为妻。）She married an Englishman.（她嫁给一个英国人。）May cousins marry each other?（表兄弟可以结婚吗？）（2）遣嫁，娶媳，例如 He married his daughter to a rich man.（他把女儿嫁给一个富翁。）He married his son to an architect's daughter.（他替儿子讨了一个建筑师的女儿做老婆。）（3）主婚，例如 The priest is going to marry them.（牧师将为他们主婚。）如用 passive voice 是表示已结了婚的那种状态，如 Tom and Alice have been married four years.（汤姆和艾丽丝已结婚四年了。）They got married soon after that.（那以后他们随即就结婚了。）
225. 我哥哥是个跳舞迷。
[误] My brother is a dance mania.
[正] My brother has a mania for dancing.
注：表示对某事的着迷或狂热，英文说 mania，但这个名词不能作主语补足语，只能用作动词 have 的宾语。其他例如 He has a perfect mania for rare books.（他有狂搜珍本书的癖好。）
226. 加拿大有多少人口？
[误] How many population has Canada?
[正] What is the population of Canada?
注：“人口”的英文 population 是不加“s”而构成复数的，所以不能用 many，但有时可以加不定冠词，如 India has a very large population for its area.（印度以面积来说人口是很多的。）这个 population 当然也作单数用，如 Population sinks.（人中降低。）通常用作集合名词，不加“s”构成复数，除非是下列情形：the educated pupulations of China and Japan（中日两国的知识阶层）。
227. 我希望我的父母长寿。
[误] I hope my parents to live long.
[正] I hope my parents will live long.
注：英文动词有一定的惯用法（correct usage），有的后面可接不定式，如 I want you to attend the meeting. 有的后面要接动名词，如 How can we avoid making mistakes? 还有的后面一定要接一个句子（clause），如本例所示，但 hope 也可接不定式，如 I hope to see you soon again.
228. 红色的和白色的玫瑰花开了。
[误] A red and white rose are in bloom.
[正] A red and a white rose are in bloom.
注：表示不同的人，名词前都应用冠词。A novelist and poet 指一个人，即“小说家兼诗人”。另外，不同的形容词修饰名词，则形容词前也须加冠词。A red and white 表示“红白相间的”。
229. 今年应邀出席教师节庆祝活动的教师人数比去年多。
[误] The number of teachers invited to the Teachers' Day celebrations this year were larger than that of last year.
[正] The number of teachers invited to the Teachers' Day celebrations this year was larger than that of last year.
注：a number of 是“若干，许多”的意思，后面应该用动词的复数形式；第二个句子内 the number of 中的 number 是“数目”的意思，尽管后面接了复数 teachers，但主语是单数的 number，所以动词须用单数。
230. 他是一位很有经验的教师，学生提什么问题他都不在乎。
[误] He is a too experienced teacher to care what kind of question the students may ask.
[正] He is too experienced a teacher to care what kind of question the students may ask.
注：如果按正常的词序，则 He is a too experienced teacher.（他是一位很有经验的教师。）不能算错，但是由于此句以 too...to 结构贯穿整个句子，这就必须将 too 和 experienced 提至冠词之前。
231. 假期从明天开始。
[误] The vacation begins from tomorrow.
[正] The vacation begins tomorrow.
注：中文的“从”字在这种场合是不需译出的，其他场合也不需译成 from，例如“新学期从四月开始”。The new term begins in April. “新学期从四月五日开始。” The new term begins on the 5th of April. “茶会从六点开始。”The tea party begins at six o'clock. “教育从一个人出生开始。” Education begins with a man's birth. 例句中的 tomorrow，是一个副词，副词前是不可以用介词的。April, the 5th, six o'clock, birth 都是名词。
232. 我很高兴接受你的邀请。
[误] It gives me much plesure in accepting your invitation.
[正] It gives me much pleasure to accept your invitation.
.    I have much pleasure in accepting your invitation.
.    I take great pleasure in accepting your invitation.

注：take great pleasure=greatly enjoy. 如说 have the pleasure 则后不接 in 而接 of，如 I have the pleasure of accepting your invitation.也是通的，不过此种语法多用于下类句中：May I have the pleasure of taking a glass of wine with you? I once had the pleasure of being introduced to you. I am sorry I cannot have the pleasure of accompanying you today. I hope you will give me the pleasure of dining with me at 8 o'clock tomorrow evening at my place. There are many famous men whom I have not yet had the pleasure of meeting so far.
233. 我最好讲个故事给你听。
[误] I can do no better than to tell you a story.
[正] I can do no better than tell you a story.

注：在 than 后的词的形式应和 than 前的一致，句中前面是 can do，后面只能说（can）tell，不能说（can）to tell. 他例如 It is better to win than to lose. I'd rather stay at home than go for a walk.
234. 错误显然是在你那一边。
[误] The fault clearly lies at your side.
[正] The fault clearly lies with your side.

注：在不及物动词 lie 后可接用各种各样的介词，惟含义各有不同，如 Sheets of paper lie about the room.（纸张散满一屋。）The vilage lie across the river.（村庄在河的对岸。）Accusation of theft lay against him.（控他以盗窃罪。）The path lies along a stream.（小路沿溪。）The hot springs lie among pretty scenery.（温泉在风光明媚之中。）The blame lies at his door.（错在他。）A happy future lies before you.（幸福就在你前面。）What mystery lay behind the disappearance of the girl?（少女失踪的后面潜在着什么神秘？）The truth lies between extremes.（真理存于两个极端之间。）He has the MSS lying by him for the next number.（下一期的原稿在他那里。）The charm of travel lies in its new experiences.（旅行的妙趣在于新奇的经历。）The ship is lying off the mouth of the river.（船停在河口以外。）The book lies on the floor.（书在地上。）A white mist lay over London.（伦敦为白雾笼罩。）The person lies under the suspicion of corruption.（那人有受贿的嫌疑。）The choice lies with you.（任你选择。）在 lie 后面接介词 with 时，意为“是...的义务”，“是...的责任”，他例如 It lies with you to decide.（决定的责任在你。你有义务来作决定。取决于你。）It lies with you to accept or reject the proposal.（接受或拒绝那个建议就全看你了。）The fault does not lie with the government officials.（责任不在政府官员。）
235. 那房间是用电力照明的。
[误] The room is lighted with electricity.
[正] The room is lighted by [means of] electricity.
.    The room is lighted with electric lamps.
注：用于无形的手段时要用 by，所以与抽象名词连用，但用于有形的手段时则用 with，所以与普通名词连用。electricity 为抽象名词，electric lamps 为普通名词。
236. 你是怎么认识他的？
[误] How you come to know him?
[正] How come you to know him?
注：惯用法在 come to do 的问句中，要将 do，did 等发问的虚词略去，这是古来的传统。但在现今的口语中可说 How did you come to know him? 美国口语还可以说 How come you didn't say anything?（你为何一言不发？）
237. 我从小就认识他。
[误] I have known him since a child.
[正] I have known him from a child.
.    I have known him since his childhood.
注：从过去某一时期到现在为止，英语要用现在完成时态，介词就用 since，但有时不说“迄”（till）也可以说“起”（from）的，即用“from + 普通名词”代替“since + 抽象名词”。但在 from 后也同样可接抽象名词，所以不说 He has been blind since childhood，而说 He has been blind from childhood. 也是一样。
238. 他有自己的一幢房子。
[误] He has his own house.
[正] He has a house of his own.
注：英语的属格代名词（Possessive Pronouns）有两种形式，普通的形式为 my 等，后必须接名词如 my book，绝对的形式为 mine(=my book)等，是为避免重复地说那名词而采用的，例如 Your house is larger than mine (=my house)。在属格代名词的前面如再加指示代名词时，即在 my book 前再加 this，that，a，some，any，no 等字样时，普通的形式便得改为绝对的形式，以避免指示代名词与属格代名词连在一起。三百年前的英语是可以连用的，即可以说 this my book，而现代英语则必须改为 this book of mine 才行。反身属格（Reflexive Possessive）的 my own，your own，his own 等，也要采用绝对的形式，因为现代英语已不说 He has that his own house. 或 She has some her own reasons. 而必须改成 He has that house of his own. 或 She has some reasons of her own.
239. 他是我父亲的朋友。
[误] He is a friend of my father.
[正] He is a friend of my father's.
注：名词前面的属格，可代定冠词用，如 my brother's wife=the wife of my brother. 又 my brother's friends=(all) the friends of my brother. 如果不是指某一个特定的人或几个人时，则须用不定冠词 (a),那是不能用属格来代替的，即是用了属格，还得有不定冠词，但我们又不能说 my brother's a friend. 或 a my brother's friend，所以只好说 a friend of my brother's. 这种表现法所含有的意味是 a friend (that is) my brother's 或 one of my brother's friends. 这便是英语的双重属格的由来。
240. 该校有三千名学生。
[误] The school has three thousand students.
[正] There are three thousand students in the school.
注：英语动词 have 有三义：（1）物质上的所有，如 I have a lot of friends. （2）身心上的具有：如 I have a poor memory. （3）构成上的含有：如 A week has seven days = There are seven days in a week. 例句中的 have 与（3）相似，但仍是似是而非，因学校是一个地点，不是机构，学校与学生的关系，不是不可分离的，不像星期少了一天就不成。还有 “there + be”愿意为“存在”，存在于某处，因而变成“有”的意思。
241. 他们的希望全部破灭了。
[误] Their hope fell to 0.
[正] Their hope fell to zero.
注：zero 作数字时，在科技文章中普遍用作表示0，但在日常生活中，英国英语常把 0 叫作 naught，或 nil，美国英语往往叫作 zero。在 zero 用作比喻用法时，表示“希望破灭”，“完全没有”，不能写作0。
242. 你有必要这样去做。
[误] It is necessary of you to do so.
[正] It is necessary for you to do so.
注：一个形容词可以用来指“行为”，又可以用来指“行为者”，如 kind, good, foolish, nice, careful, careless 这类皆是。这种形容词可以接用 of 来造句，如 It is kind of you. （行为）= You are kind. （行为者）。另外有些形容词，只能用来指“行为”，不能用来指“行为者”，如 necessary, impossible, inconvenient, unbearable 这类皆是。这种形容词是不可以接用 of 来造句的，它只能接用 for，例如 It is necessary for you to go. 而不能说 You are necessary to go.
243. 那囚犯的处死引起了诸多公众谴责。
[误] The prisoner's execution has caused a lot of public censure.
[正] The execution of the prisoner has caused a lot of public censure.
注：英语的属格有两种用法：一为主格作用 (Subjective Possessive)。一为宾格作用 (Objective Possessive)。例如 She has come to sing his praise. （她来赞美他。）是宾格作用。She doesn't want his praise.（她不要他赞美。）是主格作用。说 his praise（他的赞美）用作主格作用是不会有误解的，但说 his praise（赞美他）用作宾格作用，把属格变成了宾格，就令人费解了。这两种作用在文字上是没有分别的，读者要从意义上才能加以辩明。如上例句中所说的 the prisoner's execution，意为处死囚犯，当然是宾格作用，因为被人处死，是被动，决不可能变成囚犯自己处死的，所以不能说成 the prisoner's execution，只能改用 of 的造句而说成 the execution of the prisoner，因为用 of 的造句多是表宾格作用的，例如 the choice of him=the act of choosing him.（选择他）。如说 his choice=the person or thing he has chosen（他所选定的人或物），就是主格作用了。
244. 战争结束后他就留洋了。
[误] After the war being over, he went abroad.
[正] The war being over, he went abroad.
注：在 Absolute Participle 的前面不要再加连词或介词。改正后的句子是属于 Written English 方面的，如改为 Sopken English，则为 After the war was over, he went abroad.
245. 虽然他病了好几年，现在却完全好了。
[误] Though having been ill for years, he is now quite well.
[正] After having been ill for years, he is now quite well.
.    Having been ill for years, he is now quite well.
注：though 是连词，只能用于连结两个从句（clause）。句中 having been ill for years，不是一个从句，至多前面只能用介词 after，或根本什么都不要。
246. 今天的青年喜欢跳舞。
[误] The youth of today is fond of dancing.
[正] The youth of today are fond of dancing.
注：youth 前面加冠词 the 表示复数概念“青年人们”，是集合名词，词尾不加 s。这时谓语动词常用复数形式。这些名词主要有：cattle, people, police, youth 等。接在这些名词之后的谓语动词要用复数，指代它们的代词也要用复数。如果要表示以上这些名词的单数，可分别说成 a cow, a person, a polikcman 和 a young person。a youth 的意思是 a young man（一个男青年）。
247. 一到新加坡，我的朋友就在机场等我。
[误] On arriving at Singapore, my friend was waiting for me at the airport.
[正] On arriving at Singapore, I found my friend waiting for me at the airport.
注：凡是带有介词的动名词，或是单独的分词，必须有一个意义上的主语，来配合这个动作。到达新加坡的是“我”，而主句中的主语却是“我的朋友”，动作不能配合，所以是错误的。介词 before 与 after 的情形和 on 一样，故下面的两句也是错的：After finishing his work, I paid him. Before reading the text, the vocabulary should be learned.
248. 无知与疏忽是这错误的原因。
[误] Ignorance and negligence have caused this mistake.
[正] Ignorance and negligence has caused this mistake.
注：两个以上的主语用 and 连起来表示一个单纯的目的或观念时，动词要用单数才对。他例如 Truth and honesty is always the best policy. Slow and steady wins the race. Bread and butter is his abomination.
249. 麦饼比米饼便宜。
[误] A cake made of wheat costs less than that made of rice.
[正] A cake made of wheat costs less than one made of rice.
注：that 是从 the 变来的，属于定冠词的范围之内，所以它只能代表有定冠词的单数名词，如 The cost of oil is less than that of gas. 但凡是有不定冠词的单数名词，就不能用 that 代表，只能用 one 代表，如上举的两个例句：one=a cake，而 that=the cost。对于有定冠词的单数名词，也并不一定非用 that 代表不可，如 The step you have taken is that of much risk. 一句中的 that 就错了，应改为 one 才对，因为在动词 is 后应接 a step，所以只能用 one 代表。
250. 学生们在星期六晚上要去参加一个舞会。
[误] The students are going to a dance party on Saturday night.
[正] The students are going to a dance on Saturday night.
注：舞会应该说 dancing party，不要说 dance party，但一般只说 dance 也就够了。开舞会就说 give a dance，去参加舞会就说 go to a dance。那旅馆每晚举行舞会：At the hotel dances are held nightly. 我第一次遇见她是在一个舞会上：She and I first met at a dance. 他们请我参加舞会：They asked me to a dance. 规模较大的舞会，英语又可说 ball，是从拉丁文来的。

YUNONGFENG

251. 这机器要修理。
[误] The machine wants to repair.
[正] The machine wants to be repaired.
.    The machine wants repairing.
注：动词 want 也和动词 need 一样，后接动名词时要用主动，后接不定式时才可以用被动，用主动便错了。如果以人做主语，也就可以用主动的不定式了，同时也可接被动的不定式，例如 He wants to buy a watch. He wants to be notified beforehand.
252. 苹果坏了四分之三。
[误] Three-fourths of the apples was ruined.
[正] Three-fourths of the apples were ruined.
注：英语以分数为主语时，由其后接的名词决定动词的单复数，例句中的 apples 为复数，故动词应改为复数的 were。但 Three-fourths of the crop was ruined.（四分之三的收成都毁了。）
253. 猫把家里的老鼠一扫而光。
[误] The cat cleared off rats from the house.
[正] The cat cleared the house of rats.
.    The cat swept rats out of the house.
注：用动词 clear 时，其形式为“clear + 地点 + of + 物”，如用 sweep 时，则为“sweep + 物 + out of + 地点”。
254. 昨夜他喝得大醉。
[误] He was much drunken last night.
[正] He was much drunk last night.
注：drunken 是一个限定形容词，只能用在名词前，如 a drunken man（醉人），不能作叙述形容词用。
255. 到公园去怎样走？
[误] How shall I go to the park?
[正] What way shall I take to get to the park?
注：How shall I go 是问怎样去法，如坐出租车去，坐公共汽车去，或坐三轮车去之类。问路应说 What way 才对。
256. 全家人在九点钟上教堂去做礼拜。
[误] The family go to the church at 9 o'clock.
[正] The family goes to church at 9 o'clock.
注：把全家人看做一个整体，即一家人，应该接用单数动词。“去做礼拜”，英语应说 go to church，如果加了冠词说成 go to the church，便不是去做礼拜，而只是去参观礼拜堂的建筑。同样“上学读书”是 go to school，如说 go to the school，便是指校舍而言，与读书无关。
257. 他的女儿嫁给一个阔人。
[误] His daughter married to a rich man.
[正] His daughter married a rich man.
.    His daughter was married to a rich man.
注：中国话的“嫁”或“娶”，英语都是 marry。此外，“主婚”也是 marry，例如 She is married to a foreigner.（她嫁给一个外国人。）He married a wife last year.（他在去年娶了妻。）He has been married two years.（他结婚两年了。）He wshed to marry his daughter to a peer.（他希望把女儿嫁给一个贵族。）The clergyman married Mary Jones to John Smith.（牡师主持玛莉和约翰的婚礼。）
258. 日暮途穷。
[误] The day is falling and the road is coming to an end.
[正] The night is falling and the road is coming to an end.
注：我们说的“日”英语应译作“夜”。汉语的“日暮”除译作 The night is falling 外，又可译成 the night is closing in，或 night is coming(on)，或 it is getting dark。汉语的“途穷”，除如上照字面译出的以外，又可译为 no road ahead，或意译为 straitened, in poor circumstances 等。
259. 她的服装不大入时。
[误] Her dress does not conform to the fashion.
[正] Her dress does not conform with the fashion.
注：conform to (custom)，从（俗），依照（习惯），是有意志的，至于 conform with (custom)，（与习惯）相合，是无意志的。例如 Conform to the custom of the land，入国随俗。Your conduct does not conform with the custom. 你的行为不合习惯。
260. 如你所知道的，人生常比做航海。
[误] As you know, life is often compared with a voyage.
[正] As you know, life is often compared to a voyage.
注：同种类的东西相比用 compare with，不同种类的东西相比，则要用 compare to，例句中 life 与 voyage 完全不同种类，故用 compare to 方合，再看下例 Famous as she is, she cannot be compared with him as a writer of tragedies.（她虽有名，但作为一个悲剧作者是不能和他相比的。）
261. 她入不敷出。
[误] Her expenditures do not correspond with her income.
[正] Her expenditures do not correspond to her income.
注：correspond to (something)，相当，相称，相配。corrspond with(each other)，一致，符合。例如 The punishment should correspond to the offence.（刑罚应与犯罪相当。）This house exactly corresponds with my needs.（这房子正合我意。）又 correspond with，可作通信解，如 We have corresponded with each other for several years.（我们通信有好几年了。）
262. 这台缝纫机是中国制造的。
[误] This sewing-machine is Chinese make.
[正] This sewing-machine is of Chinese make.
注：说何国制造而用 make 时，必须带有 of 的字样，如 of Chinese(English, American, Japanese) make，但如用 made 时则说 Chinese made 或 made in China，不要再加 of，如说 manufacture 也是要有 of 的，如 of Chinese manufacture（中国制造）。
263. 马可波罗以一二五四年生于威尼斯一个商人的家里。
[误] Marco Polo was born in 1254 at a Venetian merchant family.
[正] Marco Polo was born in 1254 into a Venetian merchant family.
注：说生于什么人家，即俗称投生于某家，故英语要用 into，不用 at。他例如 No man is born into this world whose work is not born with him.(James Russel Lowell)。如果是指由什么人即父母而生，则要用 of，例如 He was born of Chinese parents(of humble parentage, of poor fisherfolk in Holland 等）。但家庭在这种意义之下即可用 of，例如 He was born of a wealthy (noble, good) family. 又 But in every child born of man lurks some of greatness ---waiting for the food.(H. G. Wells) 生于什么人家，有时又可译成 to 字，例如 She was born to the purple; diamonds suited her. 这个 to 是指的对象，如 Two children were born to them.（他们生有两个孩子。）Mark Twain was born to Samuel Langhorne Clemens, in Florida, Mo. November 30, 1835.（马克吐温以1835年11月30日，于米苏里洲佛罗利达市，作为桑米朗洪克来门斯的儿子而出生的。）
264. 那种音乐在青年中很流行。
[误] That music is popular with the youngs.
[正] That music is popular with the young.
注：如 young 一类的形容词前面加上定冠词 the，就变成名词，它表示所有这一类的人。这样的名词必须是单数形式，但动词一定是复数。在英语中，像 the young 这类的表达形式并不多。最常见的有 the blind, the deaf, the sick, the mentally ill, the poor, the unemployed, the old, the dead, the rich, the clever,等等。
265. 你们写一篇短文，两小时交卷。
[误] Write a short essay and you must hand it in in two hours.
[正] Write a short essay and hand it in in two hours.
注：误句前后语气不一致，前一句用的是祈使句，第二个分句改用了陈述语气。应该使前后一致。可以把两个分句都改为祈使语气，或都改为陈述语气。
266. 可怜的佃农骨瘦如柴。
[误] The poor tenant is as thin as a piece of firewood.
[正] The poor tenant is as lean as a rake.
注：rake（耙子）是一种长把，下端有一排直片状的齿，用来收集枯叶和疏松土壤的工具。英国人认为用它来形容瘦才形象。
267. 好吧，我告诉你。但你必须守口如瓶。
[误] OK,I'll tell you, on condition that you keep it as a bottle.
[正] OK,I'll tell you, on condition that you be as dumb as an oyster.
注：牡蛎是一种类似于蚌的水生有壳动物。秘密在一个嘴巴闭得像牡蛎一样紧的人那里是再安全不过了。英国是一个岛国，牡蛎在那里十分常见，所以才有这样的比喻。
268. 在他看来，她的美沉鱼落雁，闭月羞花。
[误] In his eyes, her beauty would make fishes sink, wild geese fall, moon an flowers hide for shame.
[正] In his eyes, her beauty would put the flowers to shame.
注：“沉鱼落雁，闭月羞花”典出我国古代的四大美女，直译出来大多数外国人难以理解，所以不如选择一个他们容易理解的词，而不必重复。
269. 瓮中之鳖
[误] a tortoise in an urn
[正] a rat in a hole
注：英语中原本就有 a rat in a hole（洞中之鼠）的说法，与我们的“瓮中之鳖”意思一样，所以不妨一借。
270. 中国政府正在施行稳健的货币政策。
[误] The Chinese government is launching a steady monetary policy.
[正] The Chinese government is launching a sound monetary policy.
注：“稳健”不仅指 steady 所包含的“稳定，扎实”，而且还有“合理，健康”的意思。而 sound 做形容词时有“合理的，明智的，稳妥的”等意思，用在这里十分贴切。
271. 经她的一番添油加醋，这件事情的性质竟被完全改变了。
[误] After her adding oil and vinegar to this affair, the nature of the whole matter has been completly altered.
[正] After her adding highly colored details to this affair, the nature of the whole matter has been completely altered.
注：“油”和“醋”都是中国菜的重要调料，加了它们，菜的味道就不一样了。但西餐与中餐完全不同，所以在这里采取直译的方法会使不了解中国饮食文化的西方人无法理解。
272. 我的表妹玛丽总觉得很孤单，我想这可能是因为她是个独生子女。
[误] My cousin Mary often feels lonely; I supose it's because she is a single child.
[正] My cousin Mary often feels lonely; I suppose it's because she is an only child.
注：only child 是一个固定搭配，而且 only 强调“唯一，只有一个”，而 single 常用于指“单身的”。例如：Mary is single（玛丽还没有成家）。
273. 同时爱上海伦使这两个好朋友成了情敌。
[误] Falling in love with Helen simultaneously makes these two good friends become competitors in love.
[正] Falling in love with Helen simultaneously makes these two good friends become rivals in love.
注：rival in love 是固定搭配。而且，competitor 多用于比赛等特定环境中的竞争对手，而 rival 的使用范围则较为宽泛与笼统。例如：business rival（商业上的竞争对手)；a violinist without rivals（无与伦比的小提琴家）等。
274. 弱肉强食是自然法则。
[误] It's the law of nature for the stronger to eat the weaker.
[正] The law of jungle is the law of nature.
注：the law of jungle（丛林法则）就是“胜者为王”或“弱肉强食”。它形象、贴切，又不乏想象空间，比照字面直译更深刻地把握了原文的内涵。又如：“人生的机遇是可遇而不可求的”就可以译为 Life is something of a lottery。因为拿彩票来比喻变幻莫测的人生是再贴切不过了。
275. 他的理论没有科学根据。
[误] His theory has no scientific base.
[正] His theory has no scientific basis.
注：base 和 basis 虽然都有“基础”的含义，但 base 指物质上的、具体的“基础”，常表示“基地”或“根据地”，如：After bombing the targets, the planes returned safely to their base；而 basis 则指理论、信念、思想或某项工作所依据的抽象的“基础”或“根据”。
276. 如果你早将这些蔬菜放进冰箱里的话，它们就不会变黄了。
[误] If you had put these vegetables in the refrigerator earlier, they wouldn't have turned yellow.
[正] If you had put these vegetables in the refrigerator earlier, they wouldn't have rusted.
注：英语中用 rust（生锈）来描述蔬菜因失去水分和营养而变黄的状态。
277. 许多无名小国成了洗钱的天堂。
[误] Many small nabeless countries have become the heaven of money-washing.
[正] Many small nameless countries have become the heaven of money-laundering.
注：launder 的原意是“洗涤衣服”，但后来被引申为“洗黑钱”，即把来路不正的钱弄得貌似合法。
278. 他经历了一场刻骨铭心的网恋。
[误] He experienced an unforgettable net love.
[正] He experienced an unforgettable cyber love.
注：net 多实指，表示“网”或“网状物”，但“计算机网络”却不用它表达，而用 cyber 或 web。如：网吧（cyber cafe），网友（cyber acquaintance），网迷）（web fan），网站（web site）等。
279. 我们一开始都把总裁当成了普通员工。
[误] We all took the president as an ordinary employee at first.
[正] We all took the president for an ordinary employee at first.
注：“take...for...”是“误把......当成......”的意思，而“take...as...”则表示“把......当......看待”，如：He took what she said as a compliment（他把她的话看作是恭维）。
280. 这辆车的后窗玻璃上写着“教练车”。
[误] There is a sign on the rear window of the car, saying "coach car".
[正] There is a sign on the rear window of the car, saying "student car".
注：student 用作定语时可以表示“实习的”，所以“教练车”应用 student car 表示。
商榷：(教练车: driving school training vehicle / supervised learner vehicle / cadet car / trainee car) 参见：http://www.rainlane.com/dispbbs. ... ID=22517&page=1
281. 你还教育起我来了！
[误] How dare you educate me.
[正] How dare you lecture me.
注：educate 虽然指“教育”，但不能表达原文“教育”中“教训”的含义。lecture 常做名词，如 give a lecture（讲课，演讲），做动词时则有“训诫，说教”的意思，正好符合原义。
282. 人的贪欲是个无底洞。
[误] Human greed is a bottomless hole.
[正] Human greed is a bottomless pit.
注：bottomless hole 是典型的“中式英语”，因为地道的说法是 bottomless pit。而且 pit 有“深渊”的意思，也更能表达原义。
283. 会上有许多观众。
[误] There was a large number of audience at the meeting.
[正] There was a large audience at the meeting.
注：audience 是集合名词，为“观众”的总称。所以“观众多”应说 a large audience，“观众少”则应说 a small audience。又如：An audience of millions watched the royal wedding on TV(百万观众在电视上观看皇家婚礼）。
284. 音乐会很成功。我是昨天在报上看到这则消息的。
[误] The concert was a great success. I saw the news on the paper yesterday.
[正] The concert was a great success. I saw the news in the paper yesterday.
注：“登在报上”应用 in a newspaper，而“写在纸上”则用 on paper。注意，paper 前没有冠词。如：Please put the notes on paper（请把笔记记在纸上）。
285. 抗日战争是1937年爆发的。
[误] The Anti-Japanese War was broken out in 1937.
[正] The Aunti-Japanese War broke out in 1937.
注：break out（战争等的爆发）是不及物动词短语，不能用于被动语态。类似的还有 happen, belong, disappear, fail, take place 等。
286. 你认为这本小说怎么样？
[误] How do you think of the novel?
[正] What do you think of the novel? /How do you like the novel?
注：what do you think of 相当于 what's your opinion of, 而英语中无 how do you think of sth.的说法。
287. 在会上他做了一个总结，主要意思如下......
[误] He made a final report at the meeting. The main idea is as follow...
[正] He made a final report at the meeting. The main idea is as follows...
注：as follows 是个习语，不管后面要讲的内容有几项，follow 后面一律加s。
288. 请坐在座位上，不要出声。
[误] Please sit quietly in your seats.
[正] Please sit quiet in your seats.
注：sit 表状态时相当于联系动词，后面应接形容词。又如：Aunt Marry likes sitting idle（玛丽姑妈总喜欢呆坐着）。
289. 凯文是几兄弟中最热心的。
[误] Kevin is the most warm-hearted of his brothers.
[正] Kevin is the most warm-hearted of all the sons in the family. /Kevin is more warm-hearted than any of his brothers.
注：“his brothers”并不包括凯文本人，所以用最高级不正确。
290. 不要打扰他的工作，他正忙着呢。
[误] Don't interfere in his work. He is very busy now.
[正] Don't interfere with his work. He is very busy now.
注：interfere with 才是“打扰，妨碍”的意思，而 interfere in 却表示“干涉”。如：This country is always interfering in the internal affairs of other countries.（这个国家总是干涉他国的内政）。
291. 首先，你必须努力工作。
[误] At first, you must work hard.
[正] First, you must work hard.
注：at first 指“起初，开始的时候”，如：At first I found this question very difficult, but finally I managed to answer it（一开始我觉得这个问题很难回答，不过最后我还是答出来了）；first 才是指“首先”。又如：First, let me introduce myself（首先，请允许我介绍一下我自己）。
292. 他们走到病床前，只见她脸黄黄的。
[误] They came to her sickbed and found her looking yellow.
[正] They came to her sickbed and found her looking pale and unwell.
注：显然，这句话如果直译外国人多半不懂，因为他们的肤色与我们的不同。所以应该直接把虚弱和病态表达出来，而不拘泥于原文。
293. 她的工作就是收发信件。
[误] Her job is to receive and send letters.
[正] Her job is to send and receive letters.
注：我们用“收发”，而英国人是先“发”再“收”。英文的语序与中文常常相反，又如：“衣食无忧”是 not worry about food or clothing；“迟早”是 sooner or later；“不论贫富”是 no matter rich or poor；“不管死活”应该翻译成 care little about one's life or death。
294. 镇上的男男女女都爱打听人家的闲事儿。
[误] Women and men in the town are curious about others' private affairs.
[正] Men and women in the town are curious about others' private affairs.
注：值得注意的是，此处的“男男女女”中英文词序一致。另外，英文的 ladies and gentlemen 翻译成汉语与是“女士”在前。
295. 小心，病从口入！
[误] Beware! Disease comes from the mouth.
[正] Beware! A close mouth catches no flies.
注：这又体现了中英文思维角度的差异。一个是“入”，一个是“挡”。虽然说法不同，但都十分形象。
296. 他对什么都无所谓了 ---死猪不怕开水烫嘛！
[误] He cares about nothing ---a dead pig never fears boiling water.
[正] He cares about nothing ---a dead mouse feels no cold.
注：“死猪不怕开水烫”是一句十分形象的中国俗语，它在英语中也有对应表达，只不过喻体变成了“老鼠”，但也很妙哦！
297. 苦尽甘来。
[误] Sweet comes after bitterness.
[正] After rain comes the sunshine.
注：也许是中国人受饮食文化的影响，他们的比喻用“甜”和“苦”；而在天气多变的英国，人们更习惯用“风雨”和“阳光”做比吧！
298. 让我们详细讨论一下这个问题吧。
[误] Let's discuss this matter in details.
[正] Let's discuss this matter in detail.
注：in detail 一起相当于一个副词，指“详细地”；而 in details 中，details 是名词，指“细节”。所以，上面的句子也可以表达为 Let's discuss the details of this matter 或 Let's go/enter into details。
299. 那位有钱的女人从头到脚都珠光宝气的。
[误] That rich woman is covered with jewellery from head to foot.
[正] That rich woman is covered with jewellery from top to toe.
注：虽然人有十个脚趾，但英语的“从头到脚”却要用单数的 toe 来表达，这也是约定俗成的问题。

YUNONGFENG

300. 困境之中，我们需要能人帮助。
[误] We need a capable person to help us in time of difficulties.
[正] We need a capable person to help us in times of difficulties.
注：time 是指“时间，时候，时刻”，而表示“境况”要用 times。又如：What a times you'll have doing that（干那事可够你受的）；hard times（艰难时世）。times 还可表示“时代”，如：What wonderful times we live in（我们生活在多么了不起的时代啊）。
301. 她可是当时有名的交际花。
[误] She was then a famous social flower.
[正] She was then a famous social butterfly.
注：我们中国人觉得“交际花”十分贴切，但直译成英文却会让人感到另据。butterfly 才是地道的英国说法呢。
302. 他逞酒后之勇说出了真相。
[误] He told the truth with the wine courage.
[正] He told the truth with the Dutch courage.
注：以前英国与荷兰关系紧张，所以英语中有很多讥讽荷兰人的说法，此处就是一例。因为英国人曾一度以为荷兰人都受酗酒，所以 Dutch courage 就成了“酒后之勇”的代名词。
303. 我笑得肚子都痛了。
[误] I laughed until my belly ached.
[正] I laughed my head off.
注：在这里，英语表达可够夸张的 ---头都笑掉了！如果说汉语表达还合乎情理，那么这里的英文主要是起修辞效果了。
304. 那好时光却只是昙花一现。
[误] The good days were only the display of broad-leaved epiphyllum.
[正] The good days were only a nine days' wonder.
注：“昙花一现”在中文里是个成语，它在英文中的表达也是约定俗成的。你可以用 a nine days' wonder，也可以用 a flash in the pan，你甚至可以说 last briefly。但象上面的那样的直译却是典型的中式英语，会贻笑大方的。
305. 我那骄傲的邻居居然被三岁小孩愚弄了，真是自己打自己的嘴巴。
[误] My arrogant neighbor was fooled by a three-year-old child. It's really like beating his own face.
[正] My arrogant neighbor was fooled by a three-year-old child, and he had to eat crow.
注：eat drow（吃乌鸦）是个地道的美国口语，它指“做使自己丢脸的事”，如“被迫收回成命或承认错误”等。用在这里既能准确表达愿意，又十分地道。
306. 要使中国的农民富起来不是短时期内能办到的事。
[误] It is not a matter that can be settled in a short period of time to make Chinese farmers rich.
[正] It is not a matter that can be settled in a short period of time to improve Chinese farmers' living conditions.
注：在英语中，rich 是一种很高的生活水准，要相当富有。很显然，这里的“富起来”远谈不上 rich，只是生活有所提高的意思，即 have some improvement。此处把 rich 换成 better-off 也可以。
307. 经过一年的刻苦钻研，琳达取得了很大成就。
[误] Linda has made great achievements after one year's hard research.
[正] Linda has had/recorded/scored great achievements after one year's hard research.
注：“取得成就”的固定搭配是“have/record/score achievements”，而“make achievements”却不是地道的英文说法，我们常用的是 make progress。
308. 学校是学生学知识的殿堂。
[误] School is a palace where students learn knowledge.
[正] School is a palace where students acquire/attain knowledge.
注：learn 后一般只接具体的学习内容，如 learn English（学英语），learn to play basketball（学打篮球）等。但宽泛的“学知识”不能用 learn，而应用 acquire/obtain knowledge，因为那才是地道的表达。

http://www.rainlane.com/dispbbs. ... p;page=1&star=5  第 49 楼

#47 Learn Knowledge.

Chinese, and not just students, tend to add the word "knowledge" unnecessarily, making the sentence sound "Chinese" rather than "proper English."

Chinese English: I learned a lot of knowledge when I was at university.
Proper English: I learned a lot when I was at university.
Chinese:  We don't have many opportunities to put theory knowledge into practice.
Proper English: We don't have many opportunities to put theory into practice.
(Note: "theoretical knowledge" is fine; "theory knowledge" is not." "Learn new knowledge" is also acceptable.
Other similar discussions as found on the Internet:
http://teflchina.org/teach/general/commonEngErr.htm (*This is a site for foreign teachers teaching English in China.)
(...mistakes...)
3) "knowledge" - "We get a lot of knowledge in the university." Many students don't know how to use "learn" as in: "I learned a lot in university."
====================================
http://64.233.167.104/search?q=cache:-4-td74Gz1UJ:[url]www.linguist.org.cn/doc/uc200410/uc20041009.doc+chinglish+%22learn+knowledge%22&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=1&gl=ca[/url]
Chinglish in Chinese-English Translation
Yanrui Li*    Huzhou Normal College

Chinese and English are so vastly different that it is not always easy to use English collocation properly. There are some typical wrong collocations, for example, making achievements (attaining achievements). It's wrong collocation which results in Chinglish. Committing mistakes (making mistakes) is another one. And we don't learn knowledge, we learn English, we learn French, but we don't learn knowledge, we acquire language. Here's another example of the problem of collocation, the letter writes (the letter reads). It is impermissible personification in English.
================================================================
http://www.askynz.com/newielts/3_009.htm
托福雅思写作中的“Chinglish”
37. People should learn knowledge no matter how old they are.
更正：People should learn no matter how old they are.
=============================================================
http://www.rainlane.com/dispbbs. ... ID=12354&star=6

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
Yeti's note: Alternatives: School is a place for learning./ School is a palace for learning./School is shrine/treasure house for learning/School is a treasure house of knowledge.  (Notice the word "student" is unnecessary.).
==

309. 他向兔子开了枪，但还是让它逃脱了。
[误] He shot the rabbit but it managed to escape.
[正] He shot at the rabbit but it managed to escape.
注：shot 单独用有“射中”或“射死”的意思，用在这里显然前后矛盾。又如：She shot the wolf jumping on her（她射死了扑向她的狼）。shot at 才表示“朝......瞄准”，而不管是否射中。
310. 许多媒体拒绝对这件丑闻发表意见。
[误] Many media refuse to express their opinions on this scandal.
[正] Many media refuse to comment on this scandal.
注：虽然 express one's opinion 和 comment on 都有发表意见的意思，但前者随意，后者正式。又如：Would you please express your opinion on this piece of essay?（能说说你对这篇文章的看法吗？）
311. 最终，政府不得不对酒的生产和销售采取强硬政策。
[误] Eventually the government has to apply strong policies to alcohol producing and purchasing.
[正] Eventually the government has to apply tough policies to alcohol producing and purchasing.
注：这种错误源于对词义理解不准确。“强硬”要用 tough 表达，而说一个人强壮应该用 strong。
312. 爱玛省吃俭用，为的是攒钱买书。
[误] Emma saves food and expenses to accumulate more money for books.
[正] Emma lives frugally to save up more money for books.
注：save 是指“省下，把......存起来”。我们常说 save time, save money 等，但“省吃俭用”是指把买食物的钱和其他花费都存下来买书，这显然不能用 save food and expenses 表达，因为英语的 save food 是指“把食物存起来”。
313. 伍德斯先生担心他的客人被风吹病了。
[误] Mr. Woodhouse was afraid that his guests might be blown sick by the wind.
[正] Mr. Woodhouse was afraid that his guests might fall ill because of exposure to the wind.
注：sick 是自己感到不舒服，所以“被风吹病”一说会令英国人觉得很荒谬。
314. 茶树在这片山地上长得很好。
[误] Tea trees grow well in these mountain fields.
[正] Tea grows well in these mountain fields.
注：“茶树”、“果树”等在翻译成英语时常常省略 tree，因为这些词本身就包含“树”的意思。如 orange（橘子树），banana（香蕉树）等。
315. 淡季生意不好做。
[误] It's hard to do business in light seasons.
[正] It's hard to do business in slack seasons.
注：“淡”在英语中往往不用 light 表示。又如：“淡茶”(weak tea)，“淡水”(fresh water)等。
316. 这可是件大事！
[误] This is a big thing!
[正] This is an important matter!
注：big thing 是指“体积大的东西”，而“大事”是指“重要的事情”，它也可以用 major issue 来表达。所以中文的“大”不一定对应英文的“big”，如：“大雾”的表达就是“thick fog”。
317. 该停机检查故障了。
[误] It is time that we stop the machine and find the trouble.
[正] It is time that we stopped the machine and found the trouble.
注：It is time that...表示“是......的时候了”，其后的从句应采用过去时态，这是虚拟语气的要求。
318. 今天我要到叔叔家拜年。
[误] I'll go to visit my uncle and say "Happy New Year" to him today.
[正] I'll pay a New Year call to my uncle today.
注：“拜年”用英文怎么说一定难倒了很多人。第一句译文不是不对，而是没有后一句好。“拜年”还可以被说成 wish sb. a Happy New Year，如：Auntie, we've come to wish you a Happy New Year（大妈，我们给您拜年来了）。
319. 近几年我国的第三产业增长很快。
[误] For the latest couple of years the third industry in our country has been developing very rapidly.
[正] For the latest couple of years the tertiary industry in our country has been developing very rapidly.
注：“第一产业”是 the primary industry，“第二产业”是 the secondary industry,但“第三产业”不是 the third industry，而是 the tertiary industry。其实，tertiary 与 third 是同义的，都是“第三”的意思，这样用只是约定俗成。另外，“第三产业”还可以说成 the service industry，因为第三产业主要指服务业。
320. 适当保持低调是维护好的公众形象的窍门。
[误] To keep an adequately low tone is a tip to maintain good public impression.
[正] To be adequately low-keyed is a tip to maintain good public impression.
注：tone 指“音调”或“口气”，是实指。如：She always speaks with a rising tone（她讲话总是用升调）。而这里的“低调”是“不张扬”的意思，应用 low-keyed 或 low-key。如：The wedding is a very low-key affair/The wedding is very low-keyed（婚礼办得很低调）。
321. 恭喜发财。
[误] May you become wealthy.
[正] May you be prosperous. /Wish you all the best.
注：“恭喜发财”是句祝福语，不能直译，应按照英语的习惯。
322. 他不得不口是心非地夸她的晚装很漂亮。
[误] He had to say "yes" in the mouth but "no" in the heart when he praised her for her beautiful dress.
[正] He had to say "yes" but mean "no" when he praised her for her beautiful dress.
注：第二句更为地道简洁。
323. 他俩上中学时堕入爱河，那时被别人称作早恋，但十年后他们竟真的结为夫妻了。
[误] They fell in love with each other when they were middle school students, and that was called "early love" by others. But ten years later, they actually get married.
[正] They fell in love with each other when they were middle school students, and that was called "puppy love" by others. But ten years later, they actually get married.
注：“早恋”指未成年男女过早地涉足爱情，它一般被认为是不成熟和不宜提倡的。在英语中，“早恋”的地道说法是 puppy love 或 calf love。如：He is mad about his biology teacher, but it's only puppy love.
324. 这些人情况不同，不能采取一刀切的政策。
[误] These people are in different situations, so we cannot adopt the policy of cutting with one knife in dealing with them.
[正] These people are in different situations, so we cannot adopt the policy of cutting at one stroke in dealing with them.
注：“一刀切”不是使用同一把刀切东西，而是比喻不顾实际情况的不同而采取相同的处理方法。stroke 在这里指一刀切下去的动作，所以用作比喻非常形象。
325. 一次性筷子的用量猛增，加重了环境的负担，也加速了森林的破坏。
[误] Booming use of one-time-only chopsticks increases the burden of our environment and accelerates the destruction of woods.
[正] Booming use of throw-away chopsticks increases the burden of our ecvironment and accelerates the destruction of woods.
注：“一次性”就是“用完就扔”的意思。第一种说法虽然不错，但不符合英语习惯。英语中还有一个词可以表示“一次性”，那就是 disposable，如：disposable syringes（一次性注射器）等。
326. 摇钱树
[误] money tree
[正] cash cow
注：中文有“摇钱树”之说，而英语中也有 cash cow（产现金的牛）的比喻。这二者虽然一个是“树”，一个是“牛”，但含义却是一样的，而且在各自的语言中都十分地道。
327. 希望工程自创建以来已经帮助了无数的贫困学生。
[误] The Hope Project has helped numerous poor students ever since it was founded.
[正] The Project Hope has helped numerous poor students ever since it was founded.
注：这种专用名词往往有其固定的说法，你在可不必追究为什么“希望”在后，“工程”在前，记住就是了。
328. 无氟冰箱一上市就领导了一场“环保革命”。
[误] No-Freon refrigerator leads an "environmental revolution on its going to the market.
[正] Freon-free refrigerator leads an "environmental revolution" on its going to the market.
注：“无......”一般都译成 free，如：“无烟区”就是 smoke-free zones。
329. 水墨画是一项中国传统艺术。
[误] Water and ink painting is one of Chinese traditional arts.
[正] Ink and wash painting is one of Chinese traditional arts.
注：“水墨画”在英语里的对应说法除了 ink and wash painting，还有 Chinese brush drawing。但 water and ink painting 却是中式英语。
330. 他的身体素质一直很差，终年疾病不断。
[误] He has got very poor physical quality with continuous illnesses all the year round.
[正] He has got very poor physical constitution with continuous illnesses all the year round.
注：虽然“素质”常翻译成 quality，如：Do you think she possesses the necessary managerial qualities to do this job?（你认为她具有从事这个工作所必须的管理素质吗？）但“身体素质”却要用 physical constitution（体格）来表达。
331. 神州行电话卡在国内使用得很普遍。
[误] The telephone cards of Walking Around Shenzhou are widely used in China.
[正] The Shenzhou pre-paid telephone cards are widely used in China.
注：这也是一个专用名词，有固定的译法。只有平时多留心，注意积累，在翻译这类词语时才不会像狗咬刺猬似地无从下手笔。
332. 公司股票上市以后筹集到了很多资本。
[误] After the stocks going to the market, the company collected a large amount of capital.
[正] After the stocks being listed, the company collected a large amount of capital.
注：普通商品的“上市”可以说 go to the market，但金融领域的“上市”，如公司、股票、证券等的上市却要用 be listed。又如：上市公司（listed companies），上市证券（listed securities）等。
333. 许多公司之间存在着三角债。
[误] There exist triangle debts among many corporations.
[正] There exist chain debts among many corporations.
注：“三角恋爱”可以译成 triangle love，但“三角债”不行。因为很多情况下，三角债都不仅仅牵涉三方，这里的“三”是指“多”，所以不能与英文的 triangle 对应。chain debts 才是正确的英文表达。
334. 不能共患难的朋友
[误] friend who can not suffer with you
[正] fair-weather friend
注：fair-weather 是指“好天气”。我们中国人不也经常用“凄风苦雨”比喻生活中的挫折，而用“风和日丽”来形容人生的坦途吗？所以 fair-weather 在这里是“只能同甘、不能共苦”的意思，而 fair-weather friend 也是原文最地道的英文说法。另外你知道“全天候飞机”怎么说吗？是 all-weather aircraft，意思是无论什么天气都能飞行。
335. 朦胧诗在当时十分流行。
[误] Vague poems were very popular at that time.
[正] Misty poems were very popular at that time.
注：misty 指像隔着一层薄雾一样，隐隐约约地只见轮廓，但看不真切，却给人无限的遐想。它准确表达和肯定了朦胧诗给人的感觉。而 vague 一般指表达不清楚或容易引起歧义的，常含贬义。
336. 不正之风不能长。
[误] We shouldn't let bad winds develop.
[正] Bad practice should not be promoted.
注：“不正之风”在这里有比喻意义，是“不良风气”和“错误做法”的意思，所以不能翻译成 bad winds，而应译为 bad/harmful practice 或 unhealthy tendency 等。
337. 他这么年轻就已经当上了英语系的副教授。
[误] Young as he is, he has become a vice-professor in English department.
[正] Young as he is, he has become an associate professor in English department.
注：许多人都知道“副总统”叫 vice-president，于是想当然地以为“副教授”就应该是 vice-professor，其实不对。“副”和 vice- 并不总是一一对应的，又如：副产品（by production），副业（side occupation），副作用（by-effect）等。
338. 他们去的时候只有站票了。
[误] There were only standing tickets available when they went there.
[正] There were standing-room-only tickets available when they went there.
注：“站票”不是指票是站着的，而是指持票人只有站的空间，没有坐的位子。所以，正确的译法是 standing-room-only ticket。
339. 君子之交淡如水。
[误] The friendship between gentlemen is as tasteless as water.
[正] The friendship between gentlemen is as pure as crystal.
注：中国人用水来表示纯洁，但英美人习惯用水晶来比喻。而且，tasgeless 在英文中表示淡而无味的，含有贬义，所以直译会令西方人误解。
340. 虎父无犬子。
[误] A father like a tiger will not have a son like a dog.
[正] A wise goose never lays a tame egg.
注：英美人看了第一句译文也许会无知所云，或者感到好笑。而第二个句子与中文的意思大致相同，但却是英语中的地道说法。
341. 这件事告诉我们，他并不像我们想象的那样诚实。
[误] This tells us that he is not so honest as we thought.
[正] This shows that he is not so honest as we thought.
注：中文用的是拟人的修辞手法，但在这句话上英国人很较真，他们认为“事情”是不会像人一样开口说话的，只能 show（表明）。
342. 玛丽姨妈最喜欢喝花茶了，所以妈妈让我多带些给她。
[误] Flower tea is Aunt Mary's favorite, so Mom asked me to bring a lot to her.
[正] Scented tea is Aunt Mary's favorite, so Mom asked me to bring a lot to her.
注：“花茶”的地道说法是 scented tea，但有些具体的花茶有它们自己的名称，如“茉莉花茶”就是 jasmine tea。
343. 如果不解决这些人的生活问题，社会就无法安定。
[误] There will be no social stability unless these peopl's living problems have been solved.
[正] There will be no social stability unless these people's daily needs have been met/satisfied.
注：living problems 会让人误以为是“住房问题”，译成problems of livelihood 又太抽象了。其实这里的“解决生活问题”就是满足日常生活的需要，而英语中的 meet/satisfy the daily needs 正是这个意思的地道说法。
344. 换季的时候，商场会推出许多特价品来促销。
[误] On the shifting of seasons, department stores will take out many special-priced goods to promote their selling.
[正] On the shifting of seasons, department stores will take out many bargain goods to promote their selling.
注：“特价品”就是降价促销的商品，而 special-priced goods 没有把其中的意思清楚表达出来。bargain goods 指便宜货，是“特价品”的地道说法。
345. 现在，竹制品越来越多地用于装饰。
[误] Nowadays bamboo-made goods are more and more used as decorations.
[正] Nowadays bamboo-wares are more and more used as decorations.
注：“......制品”，即“用什么原料制成的物品”，在英语中常用 wares 表示，如：brass wares（黄铜制品），glass wares（玻璃制品），wooden wares（木制品）等。
346. 他掩护他们小组撤退，而且因为这一行动而受到表扬。
[误] He was praised for the act of covering the retreat of his group.
[正] He was praised for the action of covering the retreat of his group.
注： act 指具体、短暂和简单的行为，它侧重于效果，如：He was caught in the act of stealing（他正行窃时被当场抓获）。而 action 指抽象、持续和复杂的行为，它侧重于行为的过程及作用。
347. 睢你像只落汤鸡！
[误] You look like a bedraggled chicken!
[正] You look like a drowned rat!
注：bedraggled 是形容词，指“全身泥污的，湿透的”。第一句是直译，它虽然保留了原文的形象，但不符合英美人的表达习惯。而 a drowned rat/mouse 就十分地道了。
348. 正在做坏事时却被父亲逮到了，他吓得面如土色。
[误] He was caught by his father while doing something bad, and his face turned to the color of earth.
[正] Caught red-handed by his father, he was as white as a sheet.
注：西方人以白种人居多，他们无论受到怎样的惊吓都不会面如土色的，除非生了什么病。所以直译会令他们费解，不如按他们的习惯来说。
349. 免 费入场
[误] free to enter
[正] entrance free
注：entrance free 是英语的固定表达，它相当于 admission free。海报上的 admission/entrance free，就表示人们不用买票就可进场。而 free to enter 则让人觉得“可以随意进出”而无视礼貌。
350. 母细胞和子细胞
[误] mother sells and son cells
[正] parent cells and daughter cells
注：这是约定俗成的用法。

YUNONGFENG

350. 母细胞和子细胞
[误] mother sells and son cells
[正] parent cells and daughter cells
注：这是约定俗成的用法。
351. 人和动物不同，是有理性的。
[误] Man, different from animals, is a rational being.
[正] Man, different from other animals, is a rational being.
注：我们平常所说的“动物”是狭义的，不包括人，而且把人称作动物无异于在骂人。但英语的 animal 却是广义的，包括人，所以上面的句子应该加 other 才严谨、正确。
352. 那天晚上，这男子喝得烂醉如泥，连回家的路都找不着了。
[误] That night, the man was as drunk as mud and even lost his way home.
[正] That night, the man was as drunk as a fiddler and even lost his way home.
注：中文用“稀泥”来形容醉得很厉害，而英文却用“小提琴”来比喻醉汉。据说以前的提琴手所得的报酬是酒而不是钱，因此常常是不醉不归。了解了这一典故以后，这个英语说法也就不难记忆了。
353. 这农民还上诉，简直是以卵击石。
[误] Lodging an appeal, the farmer is no less than hurling an egg against a rock.
[正] Lodging an appeal, the farmer is no less than kicking against the pricks.
注：prick 指“（赶牲畜用的）刺棒”。牲畜挨了打，气得踢那根用来打它的刺棒，这不是明显的自讨苦吃吗？kick against the pricks 来自《圣经》故事，可算是历史悠久，而且与我们的“以卵击石”有异曲同工之妙。
354. 天网恢恢，逃逸了两年之久的罪犯终于落网了。
[误] The web of God is so broad that the criminal who had been away for as long as two years was finally caught.
[正] The mills of God grind slowly and the criminal who had been away for as long as two years was finally caught.
注：“天网恢恢”后面常省略“疏而不漏”，它是指法律的效力无处不在，犯罪分子必将受到惩罚。相同的意思，而英文却用“上帝的磨碾得极慢（但却很细）”来表达。
355. 天完全黑了，可怜的姑娘掩面而泣，不知道去哪里寻找走失的妹妹。
[误] It was completely dark, and the poor girl cried with her face covered, not knowing where to find her lost sister.
[正] It was completely dark, and the poor girl put the finger in her eyes, not knowing where to find her lost sister.
注：“掩面而泣”在英语中有一个固定表达，即 put the finger in one's eyes。它来自莎翁的创造，后来又在许多童谣中被引述，广为流传，并成为习惯用语。
356. 你不必担心，他是个知道分寸的人。
[误] You can rest assured. He is a man who knows inches and metres.
[正] You can rest assured. He is a man who knows his distance.
注：“分寸”二字在中文里是指“说话或做事的恰当限度”，它译成英文时不可直译。know one's distance 出自莎士比亚的《终成眷属》，而且准确表达了原文的含义。
357. 在这里工作多年，她算是个了解内幕的人，因此告诉了我们许多鲜为人知的故事。
[误] Having worked here for many years, she is one of those who know what goes on behind the scenes, and is able to tell us a lot of things which are unknown to most people.
[正] Having worked here for many years, she is one of those who know the ropes, and is able to tell us a lot of things which are unknown to most people.
注：“内幕”翻译成 what goes on behind the scenes 固然没错，但 know the ropes 更简洁。我们还可以用 know the inside stories 表示相同的意思。
358. 叫他卷铺盖走人吧！
[误] Ask him to roll his quilt and go!
[正] Give him the sack!
注：“卷铺盖走人”和 give sb. the sack 都是“解雇”的意思，即“炒某人的鱿鱼”，而且这两个表达在各自的文化背景中都十分形象。sack 指“袋子”，它表示“解雇”源于17世纪，而且来自法文。属口语用法。
359. 他们的目光相遇了，两人从此坠入了爱河。
[误] Their eyesight met, and they fell in love with each other ever since.
[正] Their eyes met, and they fell in love with each other ever since.
注：“目光”不能用 eyesight 表达，因为 eyesight 只能指“视力”，如：If you eat a lot of fish, you can have good eyesight（多吃鱼会使你的视力好）。而 eye 不仅表示“视力”，还可以指“眼光”。如：a good eye for distance（能看很远的好视力）和 She met his eye across the room（隔着房间，她与他的目光相遇了）。
360. 自古以来人们就知道“伴君如伴虎”。
[误] people have known that accompanying kings is just like accompanying tigers even since the ancient times.
[正] People have known that kings and bears often worry their keepers even since the ancient times.
注：第一句译文西方人未必明白其中的含义，而第二句不仅将原文的意思准确表达出来了，还按照英语的习惯，把君王比作“熊”，十分地道。
361. 左腿中弹以后，这位勇敢的士兵明白，在获救之前他只能咬紧牙关默默忍受了。
[误] Being shot in the left leg, the brave soldier knew that he had to bite his teeth silently before getting rescued.
[正] Being shot in the left leg, the brave soldier knew that he had to bite the bullet silently before getting rescued.
注：我们用“咬紧牙关”来表达忍受痛苦，而英语中却用“咬住子弹”(bite the bullet)。据说它源于以前战场上条件艰苦，连麻约都没有，接受手术的士兵只有靠咬住子弹来使自己不至于疼得叫出声来。这一说法虽然惨烈了一点，但却具有极强的感染力。
362. 你以为会凭空写出文章吗？你不能做无米之炊，所以还是先去搜集资料吧。
[误] Do you think you could write something out of nothing? You cannot make a meal without rice. So gather some information first!
[正] Do you think you could write something out of nothing? You cannot make bricks without straw. So gather some information first!
注：米饭对西方人来说并不那么重要，所以把“无米之炊”直译成英文他们是无法理解的。英语中地道的说法是拿“砖”和“稻草”做比喻，而且据说还有来自《圣经》的典故呢。
363. 她以前是个传统的中国女孩，可出国一年以后，也已经变成了一个地道的美国人。
[误] She was a traditional Chinese girl before, but after one year abroad, she has become a real American.
[正] She was a traditional Chinese girl before, but after one year abroad, she has become as American as apple pie.
注：“苹果馅饼”是典型的美国食品，用它来表达“地道的美国式”是再合适不过了。需要提醒大家注意的是，这里的 apple pie 虽用单数，但前面却不加冠词，又如：It's as easy as pie（这太容易了）。另外，这里不能用 a real American，因为她毕竟不是美国人。但可以将 real 换成 typical。
364. 这个问题对我们来说虽然困难，但对一个数学专业的学生却易如反掌。
[误] The question, though difficult for us, is as easy as turning over his palm for a mathematics major.
[正] The question, though difficult for us, is as easy as winking for a mathematics major.
注：“易如反掌”在英语中却是“像眨眼睛一样地容易”。它们虽然表达不同，但都贴切得让人叫绝。
365. 虽然是双胞胎，但这两兄弟的性格却截然不同。
[误] Though the two brothers are twins, their dispositions are quite different.
[正] Though the two brothers are twins, their dispositons are as like as chalk and cheese.
注：虽然是“不同”，但却不用 different，而是用 alike（相同的）。chalk 和 cheese 形似而实不同，这看似矛盾的措辞用在这里倒能产生令人难忘的效果。
366. 在商场混迹多年，这人十分有钱，但却是个铁公鸡。
[误] Being in business for so many years, he has made a lot of money, but he is as mean as an iron cock.
[正] Being in business for so many years, he has made a lot of money, but he is as mean as a louse.
注：louse 指“虱子”或“寄生虫”。这种不生物什么都要从别人身上索取，用它来比喻吝啬也是十分贴切的。
367. 叔叔给他带来了令他惊喜的礼物---一双崭新的皮鞋。
[误] His uncle has brought him a surprising gift---a pair of completely new shoes.
[正] His uncle has brought him a pleasantly surprising gift---a pair of brand new shoes.
注：surprising 只能表达“令人吃惊的”，所以要忠实体现原文意思需要在前面加 pleasantly；“崭新”的地道说法是 brand new。
368. 病人坐在里排的桌前吃饭，大粒的汗从额上滚下，夹袄也贴住了脊心，两块肩胛骨高高凸出，印成一个阳文的“八”字。
[误] The patient was sitting at the table by the wall, eating. Beads of sweat stood out on his forehead, his lined jacket was sticking to his spine, and his shoulder blades stuck out so sharply, an "eight" seemed stamped there.
[正] The patient was sitting at the table by the wall, eating. Beads of sweat stood out on his forehead, his lined jacket was sticking to his spine, and his shoulder blades stuck out so sharply, an inverted V seemed stamped there.
注：第一句其实翻译得不错，就是“八”字的英文表达不妥。要知道汉字的书写与英文完全不同，若译成 eight 英国人是不懂的。an inverted V（一个反的英文字母V）就化腐朽为神奇了。
369. 这位老农大概有三四个孩子，而且他们现在都长大**，可以在地里干活了。
[误] The old farmer has about three or four children, who have now grown up and are able to work in the fields.
[正] The old farmer has three or four children, who have now grown up and are able to work in the fields.
注：汉语可以说“大约有三四个孩子”，但翻译成英语却不行。因为 about 后面不能接约数，而应该接确定的数目。即：要么去掉 about，只用 three or four；要么用 about，但后面接 three 等具体的数字。
370. 每个周末，玛丽都会陪年迈的祖父去看电影。
[误] Every weekend, Mary would accompany her old grandfather to go to the cinema.
[正] Every weekend, Mary would accompany her old grandfather to the cinema.
注：accompany 常被翻译成“陪同”，所以人们在翻译“陪某人看电影”时，会很自然地用 accompany sb. to go to the cinema。其实，查英英词典你就会发现，accompany 的意思不是 together with，而是 go togethr with。所以上述情况中其后的 to go 明显是多余的。
371. 他又犯了一个拼写错误。
[误] He made another spelling mistake again.
[正] He made another spelling mistake.
注：another spelling mistake 就有“又犯”的意思，所以句中的 again 应该删去。不能因为汉语中有一个“又”字就在英语句子中加 again。
372. 学生们被告知，任何人都不得把这些书籍带出阅览室。
[误] The students were told that anyone was not allowed to take the books out of the reading room.
[正] The students were told that nobody / no one was allowed to take the books out of the reading room.
注：anybody 作主语时，谓语部分使用否定词不符合英语的习惯，应将 anybody 改为 nobody，并将否定词 not 删去。又如：你喜欢的食物没有一种是适合我吃的(Nothing you like agrees with me)。
373. 这是莎士比亚十四行诗的主要特点之一。
[误] This is one of the main characters of Shakespeare's sonnets.
[正] This is one of the main characteristics of Sharkespeare's sonnets.
注：character 是表示某一事物的总体特征（the combination of qualities which make a thing different from others），而 characteristic 则表示事物的具体特征。由此说来，一个事物只有一个 character，但却可以有多个 characteristic。所以在上面的例句中，one of the main characters 是错误的，应该改成 one of the main characteristics。又如：A person's character is always formed in his early years（一个人的性格通常在小时候养成）；Carelessness is one of his characteristics（粗心是他的一个特点）。
374. 他在艺术界有极高的地位。
[误] He has occupied a prominent position in the art circle.
[正] He has occupied a prominent position in art circles.
注：circle 表示“......界”时习惯用复数形式，而且前面多不加定冠词，如：cultural/academic/theatrical/business circles（文化/学术/戏剧/商界）。
375. 大赛在即，每个动力员都在努力训练，以期刷新自己以前的纪录。
[误] The game is at hand and every athlete is training hard to improve their previous records.
[正] The game is at hand and every athlete is training hard to improve on their previous records.
注：improve 指“改善，提高”，如 improve one's language ability（提高某人的语言能力）。在英国人看来，以前的纪录（previous records）是既成事实，不可能再加以改变（improve）了，所以应该在 improve 后面加上介词 on，以表示创造新的、更高的纪录。
376. 不要再费口舌了。
[误] Don't waste your words again.
[正] Save your breath.
注：save one's breath 有时也被说成 save one's energy，它对应的中文还可以是“白费力气”。你知道“白费心思”用英语怎么说吗？是 bother one's head for nothing。
377. 这个看上去很忠实的保姆实际上是一个惯愉。凯文一家真是引狼入室了。
[误] This seemingly honest baby-sitter is actually a habitual thief. The Kevin's do lead the wolf into the house.
[正] This seemingly honest baby-sitter is actually a habitual thief. The Kevin's do put the cat among the pigeons.
注：put the cat among the pigeons 的字面意思是“将猫放进鸽子笼”。可以想象，那样的话笼子里一定不得安宁。它与“引狼入室”有异曲同工之妙，而且更地道，更易于西方人理解。
378. 在院足球队里叱咤风云的威廉到了校队却只能坐冷板凳。
[误] William, who was so popular in the department team, is given a cold bench in the university team.
[正] William, who was so popular in the department team, is given a cold shoulder in the university team.
注：give sb. a/the cold shoulder 的字面意思是“给某人一个冷肩膀”。当不看重某人和对其冷淡的时候，人们往往会把身体转过去，用背或肩膀对着他。这与“坐冷板凳”的意思相同，而且比直译地道多了。
379. 经过一夜的围捕，警察终于把罪犯逼到了死胡同。
[误] After a night's pursuing, the police finally forced the criminal to a dead alley.
[正] After a night's pursuing, the police finally forced the criminal to a blind alley.
注：“死胡同”的英文表述是 blind alley 或 dead end。
380. 如果你爷爷看到你今天的所作所为，他一定会死不瞑目的。
[误] If your grandpa could see what you're doing now, he wouldn't have closed his eyes when he died.
[正] If your grandpa could see what you're doing now, he would turn over in his grave.
注：“死不瞑目”的意思是“死时尚存遗憾”或“灵魂得不到安息”。若将其直译出来西方人很可能感到费解，所以建议采取意译的方式。除了上面的译法，还可以用 die with everlasting regret 或 die discontent 等。
381. 为了配合治疗，大夫不得不撒了个善意的谎，说病情并不严重。
[误] For better treatment, the doctor told him a goodwill lie saying his illness is nothing serious.
[正] For better treatment, the doctodr told him a white lie saying his illness is nothing serious.
注：a white lie 是英语的固定搭配，指“善意的谎言”。
382. 最近许多女孩都鬼迷心窍似的一心只想嫁个外国人。
[误] Nowadays, many girls seem to be bewitched by ghosts and they are determined to marry foreigners.
[正] Nowadays, many girls seem to have a bee in their bonnets and they are determined to marry foreigners.
注：have a bee in one's bonnet 的字面意思是“帽子里有只蜜蜂”，但它的真正意思是“想得入了迷”，与“鬼迷心窍”是一个意思。又如：She never stops talking about dieting---she's got a real bee in her bonnet about it（她不停地谈论节食---完全鬼迷心窍了）。
383. 那位顾客同买东西的人讨价还价，嘴皮都磨破了，可那人就是不降价。
[误] The customer bargained with the seller till he had worn out his lips, but the seller didn't change his price.
[正] The customer had worn out his tongue bargaining with the seller, but the seller didn't change his price.
注：中文用“嘴皮”，但 tongue 却更符合英国人的习惯。另外，“保持缄默”的英文是 bite the ongue。
384. 现在，有些子女虽然已经成家，却还住在父母家白吃白喝。
[误] Nowadays, some young people still stay at their parents' home eating and drinking free, even after having their own families.
[正] Nowadays, some young people are still freeloaders at their parents' home, even after having their own families.
注：freeloader 指“利用别人的慷慨占便宜的人”或“寄生虫”，用在这里十分准确和地道。
385. 梅森的辞职对老板来说是正中下怀，他不仅可以除去梅森这个眼中钉，而且还省去了一大笔赔偿费。
[误] Mason's resignation well fit his boss' mind, because he could not only get rid of Mason, a nail in the eye, but also save a large sum of compensation.
[正] Mason's resignation well played into his boss' hands, because he could not only get rid of Mason, a thorn in his flesh, but also save a large sum of compensation.
注：play into one's hands 源于扑克牌游戏，意指打出的牌正是对方想要的，而且多含“中了对方的圈套”之意，因而用在这里十分贴切。“眼中钉”在英语中也有对应的表达，即 a thorn in one's flesh。
386. 昨天晚上我们去看电影了。
[误] We went to the cinema yesterday night.
[正] We went to the cinema last night.
.    We went to the cinema yeserday evening.
注：习惯上可以说 last night 或 yesterday evening，但不能说 yesterday night。但是，我们可以说 yesterday morning/afternoon（昨天早晨/下午），而不说 last morning/afternoon。
387. 你今年多大了？
[误] How old are you this year?
[正] How old are you?
注：汉语中常说“你今年多大年纪？”，但英语却不习惯说 this year，因为事实上没有问“今年/去年/来年多大年纪？”这样的问题的。（参见第10楼，第100题，有关年龄的表达法）
388. 这个省的粮食产量逐年增加。
[误] The grain output in this province has increased year after year.
[正] The grain output in this province has increased year by year.
注：year after year（年复一年地）和 year by year（逐年地）的区别在于：后者分别看待年份；而前者集中看待年份（含“年年如此”甚至有“长此以往”之义。）根据原意，应选用 year by year。
389. 让我们响应党的号召，坚持一切正确的东西，反对一切错误的东西。
[误] Let us respond to the Party's call and uphold all the correct and oppose all the wrong.
[正] Let us respond to the Party's call and uphold all that is right and oppose all that is wrong.
注：“一切正确的东西”，不能译成 all the correct，“一切错误的东西”，不能译成 all the wrong，因为这种说法不合乎英语习惯。
390. 这本小说的作者是谁？
[误] Who is the writer of this novel?
[正] Who is the author of this novel?
注：writer 是“作家”，范围比较广；author 是“作者”，指文章、小说、书本的著作者。
391. 成千上万的人来到这里向战争纪念碑敬献花圈。
[误] Thousands and thousands of people came and laid bouquets at the war memorial.
[正] Thousands and thousands of people came and laid wreaths at the war memorial.
注：wreath 是“花环，花冠，花圈”，可表示纪念死者所用的花圈等，bouquet 指的是“花束”，用于喜庆的场合，如婚礼上新娘所手持者。
392. 昨晚台风袭击上海郊区，许多人受伤了。
[误] Last night a typhoon hit the suburban areas of Shanhai and many people were wounded.
[正] Last night a typhoon hit the suburban areas of Shanhai and many people were injured.
注：wound 指在战争、战斗中“负伤”或用枪弹、炮弹、锐利刀、剑等故意施加的“伤害”。在事故中受到的损伤，如在交通事故，工伤事故和天灾中所受的伤用 injure。
393. 我以前有过一辆大众轿车。
[误] I would have a Volkswagen.
[正] I used to have a Volkswagen.
注：虽然 would 和 used to 都可以表示过去习惯性的动作，但 used to 还可以表示过去的状态，而 would 却不能。
394. 奇怪，鲍勃会在那个转角处出了事。
[误] It is strange that Bob would have an accident at that corner.
[正] It is strange that Bob should have an accident at that corner.
注：在以 it is + 形容词 + that 引导的句子中，用 should + 动词原型表示欣喜、惊奇、忧虑等感**彩。在这类句型中，只能用 should，不能用 would。如果表示的是过去发生的事，should 后面要用不加 to 的不定式的完成时态。
395. 我宁愿你明天来看我。
[误] I would rather you will come to see me tomorrow.
[正] I would rather you came to see me tomorrow.
注：would rather（也可用 had rather）后面跟从句时，从句中的动词总是用过去式，不管指的是现在或将来发生的动作。
396. “你觉得电影好看吗？”“还可以，但我宁愿去听音乐会。”
[误] Did you enjoy the movie? It was okay, but I would rather went to the concert.
[正] Did you enjoy the movie? It was okay, but I would rather have gone to the concert.
注：would rather do sth. 的过去时是在 would rather 后接 have + 过去分词，表示的是对过去未做之事的向往，或对已做之事的后悔。
397. “请再来点咖啡好吗？”“不，不要了，谢谢。”
[误] Would you like some more coffee? No, I wouldn't like any more.
[正] Would you like some more coffee? No, I don't want any more.
注：would you like...是一种表示客气的询问对方“是否想要（什么）”的口语句型，它只用于第二人称，因此，在回答进，由于说的是自己，就不能再按惯例用 would，而是肯定时用 Yes, please；否定时用“No,I don't want...”。
398. “你喜欢喝下午茶吗？”
[误] "Would you like to have tea in the afternoon?"
[正] "Do you like to have tea in the afternoon?"
注：Would you like to do sth. 这一句型一般用于邀请等，表示一次性的动作。当询问一个习惯的动作时，不能用这一句型，要用 Do you like...?（你喜欢......？）
399. 我们是未来的教师。
[误] We are would-be teachers.
[正] We are future[或 prospective] teachers.
注：would-be teachers 是“希望成为教师的人”，表示主观愿望，有时有贬意，含有“自称而其实不是”的意思。future 或 prospective 并不表示主观愿望，可以指正在培养成为从事某种职业的人。

YUNONGFENG

更新至399项，各位注意查看。

jiangsulujun

谢谢楼主，学习了！