“备胎”在英文中究竟如何表达?
首先肯定不是spare tire,这是“备胎”的原始含义,即“备用轮胎”。我们今天讨论的是“爱情备胎”。
美国九十年代有一部风靡一时的情景喜剧--《宋飞正传》(Seinfield),主人公George Costanza有一句名言:
You're a back-up! You're a second line, a just-in-case, a B-plan, a contingency.
好家伙,一句台词喷出五种“备胎”的英文说法:
1. a back-up:原义指“备份”,引申为感情上的“备胎”。
2. a second line:字面含义是“第二排”,即“二线的”,与“备胎”含义相符。
3. a just-in-case:just in case表示“以防万一”,a just-in-case把它活用成一个名词,表示“一个以防万一的人”,就是“备胎”;
4. a B-plan:即“B计划”。A计划是优先的,不行了再用B计划,也挺符合“备胎”的内涵。
5. a contingency:原义指“可能发生也可能不发生的事情”,英文中有 a contingency plan(备用方案)、a contingency fund(备用金)的说法。
其实这些说法已经很地道了,下面再给大家补充一个更形象生动的表达:
bench
我是在最近英国《每日邮报》(Daily Mail)的一篇文章上看到这个词的,觉得很地道,就摘录下来了。
文章里有句话:
Before couples define their relationship, either party is at risk of being 'benched'. This happens when one person is unsure of their future with their current partner and so puts them on the bench.
在双方挑明、确定关系之前,双方都可能是对方的“备胎”。当一个人不确定要和目前的伴侣共度未来时,可能就会去寻找新目标,而将现任视为“备胎”。
bench 的原义是“板凳”,经常被用在球赛中表示替补席,“替补队员”就是坐在替补席的板凳(bench)上的,后来引申成“备胎”的含义。 从上文中我们可以知道:bench可以做名词,还可以活用成动词:bench somebody,还可以说put somebody on the bench. --“让某人坐板凳”,即“将某人视为备胎”。
例句:
I love her so much, but she always puts me on the bench.
我很爱她,但她总是把我视为“备胎”。
最后补充一点,大家知道,在恋爱中比“备胎”更惨的角色是什么吗?
答案:千斤顶。
因为千斤顶只有在换胎的时候才发挥作用,干着最脏最累的活儿,还啥都落不着,你说是不是最惨的?千斤顶对应的英文是 jack。叫Jack的同学知道这层含义后,是不是对很多问题都豁然开朗了?
国际英语资讯:UN-backed Libyan govt names new defense minister, chief of staff following protests
国际英语资讯:Tanzanias ruling party launches Magufulis re-election campaign
体坛英语资讯:Santos defeats Fluminense 2-1
国际英语资讯:ASEAN, China, Japan, S. Korea reaffirm commitment to actions against COVID-19 fallout
体坛英语资讯:Usain Bolt: I have nothing to say right now
体坛英语资讯:Messi awarded Europe best player
体坛英语资讯:Arsenal reaches agreement with Man City for Nasri move
体坛英语资讯:Adebayor moves to Spurs on loan
体坛英语资讯:Athletic in Europa League group stage without kicking a ball
体坛英语资讯:Zico accepts offer to lead Iraqi national soccer team
体坛英语资讯:Chinas Peng reaches U.S. Open fourth round
体坛英语资讯:Bolt steals limelight, Russian topples record
体坛英语资讯:Barca beat Villarreal 5-0 to kick off the season on perfect note
国际英语资讯:Merkel: EU, China want to set example for multilateralism
体坛英语资讯:Six athletes elected to IAAF Athletes Commission
国际英语资讯:Top U.S. general says military wont play role in 2020 election
体坛英语资讯:Will Chinas Zhang clear personal best again in mens high jump final in Daegu?
体坛英语资讯:Worlds leading hurdlers safely advance in Daegu worlds
体坛英语资讯:Barcelona beat Porto to lift European Super Cup
体坛英语资讯:USA takes revenge on Brazil to retain World Grand Prix title
体坛英语资讯:Granada return with defeat, Valencia and Real Sociedad win in Spain
体坛英语资讯:France beats Albania 2-1 in Euro 2017 qualifiers
体坛英语资讯:Djokovic, Nadal, Serena advance, Li Na out in U.S. Open
国际英语资讯:Abes shock resignation presents uncertainties for Japan
The Things I Learn in College 我在大学学到的东西
体坛英语资讯:Wozniacki, Arzarenka advance into U.S. Open second round
体坛英语资讯:Serena, Schiavone hot in U.S. Open
体坛英语资讯:Error-prone French Open champ Li exit from U.S. Open
体坛英语资讯:World No. 4 paddler Guo Yan steps on podium twice at China Open
国际英语资讯:Chinese medical experts help South Sudan strengthen fight against COVID-19