塞翁失馬,焉知非福
有中國人照字直譯為:
The old man living at the frontier邊塞)lost his horsedon't pity himfor this may not be bad fortune.
這種說法,“中國”味道較重,老美很難理解。不過英語里倒流行這樣的說法:Misfortune may be a blessing in disguise.不幸也許掩藏著一種祈福)
說白些,就是:There is something good in every bad situation.(每個不好的情況,都有好的一面。)也就是說:There is nothing bad that good dose not come.(好的不來,未必就是壞的。)
一言既出,駟馬難追
有人譯成:One word lets slip and four horses will fail to catch it.
而老美類似的說法是:
A word once let go cannot be recalled.或:You can not take back what you have said.(你說出的話,就不能再收回來。)
一粒鼠屎壞鍋粥 有人照字直譯成:
One speck of rat's dung spoils a whole pot of rice.
一般美國人倒喜歡這么說:
One rotten apple spoils the whole bunch.一個爛果壞整籃)
One rotten egg spoils the whole dish.一個臭蛋壞了整盤菜)
也可以說:One bad thing can mess up the entire plan.(一件壞事,可以影響整個計劃)
如果指人,就可以說:
One nasty或badperson can 或mayruin the whole team或entire group.(一個壞家伙,害了整群人。)(即害群之馬)。
平時不燒香,臨時抱佛腳 有人照字直譯為:
When times are easywe do not burn the incense香),but when the trouble comeswe embrace the feet of the Buddha.
這種說法,老美也會“一知半解”。但英語里一般的說法是:Worship God every day not just in times of adversity.要每天敬拜神,不是只在困難時。)
對學生可以說:If you study hard every dayexams will not seem overwhelming.(如果你每天用功,考試就不會形成壓力。)(摘自美國《世界周刊》)
《海外星云》(2000年34期)