中国的习语用英语该怎么样表达?应该如何表达才能让老外更加地明白我们中国习语的意思?
1、雷声大,雨点小
有人译为:
The thunder roars loudly, but little rain falls. 或者说:All we hear is thunder, but no rain falls.
虽然这样直译比较容易理解,但是老外的说法是这样的:
Actions speak louder than words. (行动胜于言谈)
或All we hear is words, but there is no action. (只动嘴不动手)
或Actions and words should go hand in hand. (言行必须一致)
另外,还有英语里还有这样的说法:
An empty barrel makes biggest sound.(空洞的话说得太多了。)
2、水落石出
有人照字直译为:As the water level sinks,the stones are exposed.
这样说,恐怕老外还是听不懂。他们的说法是:
All secrets may eventually come to light. (所有祕密最后总会曝光。)
也可以说:
Eventually, every secret will be disclosed.
3、这山望到那山高
有人译成:The apples on the other side of the wall are the sweetest.(意思是:墙那边的苹果最甜)
当然,如要译成:
If you stand on a mountain, you feel the distant mountain seems higher than yours. 老外也勉强能接受。
而他们的最习惯说法是:
The grass always looks greener on the other side.(另一边的草,看来总是绿些。)
4、烈火炼真金,患难见真情
有人译成:Fire is the test of gold;adversity is the test of friendship.
这句译文,虽然很好,老外也能了解,但是他们还有另外的说法:
Liquor brings out a person's true color.(烈酒能显示一个人真正的特色)
或者说:
Wine reveals a person's true heart.
虽然老外不用“烈火炼真金的比喻,但有“路遥知马力的说法:
By a long road, we know a horse's strength;at times of difficulty, we discover a friend's true character.
5、一桶水摇不响,半桶水响叮当
有人照字面译成:The full pot of water makes no sound; the half-empty pot of water is noisy.
老外听后,也许会感到困惑。他们有自己的说法:
A little knowledge (or learning) can be (or is) dangerous.(一知半解很危险)
或者说:
Still water runs deep.(静水深不可测)
也可以说:
He who knows the most says the least.(懂得越多的人,反而说得越少。)
至于“大智若愚,通常可以这么说:
A truly wise person does not show off his (her) ability.(真正聪明的人,是不会显要自己的能力)
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