刺激經濟

句子：政府已推出一系列刺激經濟的政策，提振了我們的信心。

誤譯：The government has pushed out a series of policies to provoke economy, enhancing our confidence.

正譯：The government has pushed out a series of policies to stimulate economy, enhancing our confidence.

解釋：“刺激經濟”的“刺激”有“激活”、“激勵”或“推動”的意思，是個褒義詞。而 to provoke 的意思是 to stimulate sb to do sth by making him angry，即“激怒”或“招惹”，是貶義的“刺激”，后面要跟人。英語中沒有 to provoke economy 這樣的搭配。“刺激經濟”可以譯為 to stimulate economy。

“刺激”的第一個意思是“內、外因作用于人或動物的感覺器官”。動詞可以譯為to stimulate, to irritate。例如：他喝濃咖啡來刺激神經。He drinks strong coffee to stimulate/ irritate his nerves.

“刺激”的第二個意思是“招惹”。英語可以譯為 to provoke。例如：他失戀了，別刺激他。Dont provoke him, for he is unlucky in love.

“刺激”的第三個意思是“使人難受”。英語可以譯為to upset。例如：看到鄰居買彩票中獎，給他很大刺激。He was very much upset by his neighbour who had won a lottery prize.

“刺激”的第四個意思是“激勵人或推動事物，使起積極的變化”。英語可以譯為 to stimulate。例如：這些新建鐵路刺激了這個地區的經濟發展。These newly built railways have stimulated economic development in this area.

中國政府有望很快發布更多的刺激消費的政策。The Chinese government is expected to issue more policies to stimulate consumption very soon.

“刺激”的第五個意思是“激勵的手段”，即“物質刺激”。 英語可以譯為 incentive。例如：一味追求物質刺激，會把人們引向歧途。The mere pursuit of incentives will lead people astray.▲ （本欄目供稿：王逢鑫教授）