那些跟中文极其神似的英文表达
新东方网2021-11-07 23:04朱博
语言代表着思维和逻辑,中英文当中有好多极其神似的表达,会让你不禁感叹,果然人类的情感偶尔可以互通呢!下面我们就来盘点一下那些互为信达雅翻译的表达:
1. the rules of the game 游戏规则
The standards of behavior that most people accept or that actually operate in a particular area of life or business. 不光是字面意思,也比喻我们常说的“在这儿混就要遵守这儿的游戏规则”。
2. in the spotlight 在聚光灯下,受人瞩目
Get the attention from newspapers, television and the public. 跟上面一样,除了字面意思互通之外,比喻义也是一样的哦,例如:
Unemployment is once again in the spotlight.
3. Actions speak louder than words. 行动胜于雄辩
What a person actually does means more than what they say they will do. 看来世界人民的价值观在这点上很统一。
4. sb’s heart is in their mouth 心提到嗓子眼儿
Somebody feels nervous or frightened about something. 咱们的heart跳的更厉害,直接到了嘴里…… 例如:
My heart was in my mouth as she opened the envelope.
My heart was in my mouth when I reached the top of the roller coaster.
5. a match made in heaven 天造地设的一对儿
An extremely well-suited pairing of people or things; a match that will result in a particularly positive or successful outcome; A very happy marriage or partnership. 这里不光可以指couple,也可以指很绝配的任何人或物,例如:
When Kelly and Julie partnered up and opened their restaurant, it was a match made in heaven.
Mike and Timothy are a match made in heaven! I can’t think of two people better suited to marry one another.
6. a chicken-and-egg situation, problem, etc. 蛋生鸡还是鸡生蛋
A situation in which it is difficult to tell which one of two things was the cause of the other. If something is a chicken and egg problem, it is impossible to deal with a problem because the solution is also the cause of the problem. 看来这个问题困扰了全世界人民,例如:
It’s a chicken-and-egg argument about which comes first: Do people create a neighborhood lifestyle? Or does a neighborhood environment influence how residents live?
You need experience to get a job, but you need a job to get experience. It’s a chicken and egg situation.
7. see stars 眼冒金星
To see flashes of light in front of your eyes, usually because you have been hit on the head. 不只是语言表达,漫画里也是用满头星星表示晕头转向的懵懵状态呢!例如:
He didn’t look that tough to me, but I saw stars when he punched me in the face.
The little boy saw stars when he fell headfirst onto the concrete.
I saw stars when I bumped my head on the ceiling, and the next thing I knew, I was lying on the floor.
8. try (one’s) patience 挑战某人的耐心
To frustrate or annoy one by continued unwanted behavior; to test the limits of one’s patience. 挑战某人的忍耐极限,例如:
My loud neighbors are trying my patience today.
You really try my patience with all your questions!
9. not the end of the world (多大点儿事儿啊)又不是世界末日
Not the worst thing that could happen to somebody. 全球通用的安慰人表达,例如:
Failing one exam is not the end of the world.
It would be great if I got this teaching position, but I guess it isn't the end of the world if they pass me over.
10. dig your own grave / dig a grave for yourself 自掘坟墓
To do something that will have very harmful results for you. If you dig your own grave, you create serious problems for yourself by doing something foolish. 说严重点儿就是自取灭亡,例如:
If you give up your job now, you’ll be digging your own grave, because you won’t find it easy to get another one.
If you don’t turn in your project, you’re digging your own grave. There’s no way you’ll get a decent grade without it!
11. have a heart of stone 铁石心肠
To be a person who does not show others sympathy or pity. 反派角色高频形容词,例如:
The villain in the play had a heart of stone. He was cruel to everyone.
12. kill two birds with one stone 一石二鸟
To achieve two things at the same time with one action. 完全直译也达到了信达雅的境界!例如:
Bike-to-work schemes are a great way of killing two birds with one stone: getting more exercise while cutting down on the cost of your daily commute.
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