Playing the Lute to a Cow 對(duì)牛彈琴 In ancient times was a man who played the zither very well. Once, he played a tune in front of a cow, hoping that the cow would appreciate it. The tune was melodious ,but the cow showed no reaction, and just kept on eating grass. The man sighed, and went away. This idiom is used to indicate[5IndIket]reasoning with stubborn[5stQbLn]people or talking to the wrong audience。
如kill the goose to get the eggs,源于希臘寓言,說(shuō)的是曾有一個(gè)鄉(xiāng)下人,因?yàn)榘l(fā)財(cái)心切殺死了自己飼養(yǎng)的那只能下金蛋的鵝,以為如此就可一次獲得全部想象中的金塊,但其結(jié)果一無(wú)所獲。現(xiàn)借比喻只貪圖眼前利益,沒(méi)有長(zhǎng)遠(yuǎn)打算。
但漢語(yǔ)中不說(shuō)“殺鵝取卵”而說(shuō)“殺雞取卵”,喻體不同,因此漢譯時(shí)須遵循漢語(yǔ)成語(yǔ)的搭配規(guī)律。又如Veper and File出自《伊索寓言》,說(shuō)的是一條蝰蛇(Viper)發(fā)現(xiàn)一把鐵銼(File),以為是一頓美餐。
諺語(yǔ)是在人閃中間流傳的固定語(yǔ)句,用簡(jiǎn)單通俗的話反映出深刻的道理,是社會(huì)生活經(jīng)驗(yàn)的總結(jié)。如birds of a feather,birds of a feather flock together.即“物以類(lèi)聚,人以群分”,轉(zhuǎn)義為“一丘之貉”。
在《魯迅全集》中有這樣一句:“增加混亂的倒是有些悲觀論者……將一切作者詆為‘一丘之貉’”。其英譯為In fact it is these pessimists who increase the chaos by…considering all writers birds of a feather.又如 early bird,其漢澤為“早起者,早到的人”,源出諺語(yǔ)The early bird gets/catches the worm.意為“捷足先登(得),先下手為強(qiáng)”。
如kill the goose to get the eggs,源于希臘寓言,說(shuō)的是曾有一個(gè)鄉(xiāng)下人,因?yàn)榘l(fā)財(cái)心切殺死了自己飼養(yǎng)的那只能下金蛋的鵝,以為如此就可一次獲得全部想象中的金塊,但其結(jié)果一無(wú)所獲。現(xiàn)借比喻只貪圖眼前利益,沒(méi)有長(zhǎng)遠(yuǎn)打算。
但漢語(yǔ)中不說(shuō)“殺鵝取卵”而說(shuō)“殺雞取卵”,喻體不同,因此漢譯時(shí)須遵循漢語(yǔ)成語(yǔ)的搭配規(guī)律。又如Veper and File出自《伊索寓言》,說(shuō)的是一條蝰蛇(Viper)發(fā)現(xiàn)一把鐵銼(File),以為是一頓美餐。
諺語(yǔ)是在人閃中間流傳的固定語(yǔ)句,用簡(jiǎn)單通俗的話反映出深刻的道理,是社會(huì)生活經(jīng)驗(yàn)的總結(jié)。如birds of a feather,birds of a feather flock together.即“物以類(lèi)聚,人以群分”,轉(zhuǎn)義為“一丘之貉”。
在《魯迅全集》中有這樣一句:“增加混亂的倒是有些悲觀論者……將一切作者詆為‘一丘之貉’”。其英譯為In fact it is these pessimists who increase the chaos by…considering all writers birds of a feather.又如 early bird,其漢澤為“早起者,早到的人”,源出諺語(yǔ)The early bird gets/catches the worm.意為“捷足先登(得),先下手為強(qiáng)”。
英語(yǔ)中有較好的成語(yǔ)出自某些作品,有的是原封未動(dòng)的摘引,有的是節(jié)縮而成。如wash one's hands of a thing,可譯為“洗手不干……;與……斷絕關(guān)系”。
出自《馬太福音》,猶太巡撫彼拉多主持審判耶穌,由于他。
4.英語(yǔ)諺語(yǔ)的小故事
Plug one's ears while stealing a bell(掩耳盜鈴)完整的英語(yǔ),后面有中文意思:)~ In the Spring and Autumn period, a thief had stolen a bell and intended to carry it away on his back, but the bell was too bulky and heavy to be carried, so he tried to break it into pieces with a hammer to make it easier for carrying. On his first hit, however, the bell made a loud noise. He thus feared that the ringing sound might be heard by someone, who would come to rob him of his bell. His fright made him plug his own ears, while hitting the bell with the hammer. The bell sound was, nevertheless, audible to others and therefore to stuff his ears for the purpose of stealing a bell was a stupid action it is as foolish as burying one's head in the sand. from Huai Nanzi(淮南子著) 掩耳盜鈴 在春秋戰(zhàn)國(guó)時(shí)期,有一個(gè)小偷偷了一只鐘。
[田徑]track and field jump the gun:(字面)偷跑。田徑比賽時(shí),裁判還沒(méi)有鳴槍?zhuān)x手就搶先起跑了。(比喻)過(guò)早采取行動(dòng)。如果用在合唱,某人提前唱出某音時(shí),就是“放炮”。
[美式足球]American football Monday morning quarterback: (字面)周一早晨的四分衛(wèi)。美國(guó)電視在足球季的每個(gè)星期天都會(huì)轉(zhuǎn)播一場(chǎng)比賽。由于是現(xiàn)場(chǎng)節(jié)目,結(jié)果立刻分曉。等到第二天早晨看了報(bào)紙才發(fā)表‘真知灼見(jiàn)’,為時(shí)以晚矣?。ū扔鳎?事后諸葛亮;放馬后炮。
[拳擊]boxing have a glass jaw: (字面)有個(gè)玻璃做的下顎。在拳擊賽中,下顎像是玻璃做的,一被擊中就不支倒地。(比喻) 不堪一擊。
[馬術(shù)]horseback riding get on one's high horse:(字面)騎上一匹高大的馬。從前,馬術(shù)師自以為騎馬的人高高在上,所以比用腳走路的人優(yōu)越。(比喻) 擺出傲慢的態(tài)度;擺高姿態(tài)。
[高爾夫]golf not up to par: (字面)沒(méi)有達(dá)到標(biāo)準(zhǔn)桿數(shù)。高爾夫球戲中,每一洞依難度及遠(yuǎn)近有一標(biāo)準(zhǔn)桿數(shù),例如第一洞的標(biāo)準(zhǔn)桿數(shù)是四桿。因此,桿數(shù)越低越好。若擊出超過(guò)標(biāo)準(zhǔn)桿數(shù),沒(méi)有達(dá)到一般水平,就是 not up to par. (比喻)做事情沒(méi)有達(dá)到應(yīng)有的標(biāo)準(zhǔn);也可以說(shuō)是失常。注意:up to par 不用于肯定句。
[斗牛]bullfighting take the bull by the horns:(字面)斗牛比賽時(shí),斗牛士常握著牛角以扳倒牛,這是一項(xiàng)艱難又危險(xiǎn)的動(dòng)作。(比喻)采取果敢的行動(dòng)應(yīng)付艱難的局面;面對(duì)困難采取行動(dòng)。雖然字面的意思上像是中文里的‘執(zhí)牛耳’,而‘執(zhí)牛耳’的英文卻可以用 rule the roost [roast] 來(lái)表達(dá)。
[游泳]swimming sink or swim: (字面)遇到河流時(shí),沉到水底或游泳逃生。 (比喻)不成功便成仁。
[網(wǎng)球]tennis The ball is in your court.: (字面)該由你發(fā)球了。許多運(yùn)動(dòng)的場(chǎng)地以網(wǎng)隔開(kāi),并由雙方輪流發(fā)球,像網(wǎng)球、排球、羽毛球等。(比喻)輪到該你負(fù)責(zé)了;輪到你采取行動(dòng)了。
[賽馬]horse racing neck and neck: (字面)賽馬時(shí)兩馬頸部同時(shí)抵達(dá)終點(diǎn),即以平手論。(比喻)并駕齊驅(qū);不分勝負(fù);不相上下;不分軒輊。
[籃球]basketball The game isn't over until the fat lady sings.: (字面)胖婦人未唱歌前,比賽不算結(jié)束。這是達(dá)拉斯小牛隊(duì)前教練 Dick Motta 的一句名言,指一場(chǎng)比賽緊張激烈,不到結(jié)束時(shí)刻,仍然勝負(fù)未卜。在歌劇中,往往在結(jié)束前的高潮便是由一位身材豐滿的女聲樂(lè)家表演。胖婦人開(kāi)始唱歌是比喻比賽將要結(jié)束。(比喻) 比賽不到最后一刻不知鹿死誰(shuí)手。
6.英語(yǔ)的諺語(yǔ)故事
1、The Wolf and the Lamb A WOLF, meeting with a Lamb astray from the fold, resolved not to lay violent hands on him, but to find some plea to justify to the Lamb the Wolf's right to eat him. He thus addressed him: "Sirrah, last year you grossly insulted me." "Indeed," bleated the Lamb in a mournful tone of voice, "I was not then born." Then said the Wolf, "You feed in my pasture." "No, good sir," replied the Lamb, "I have not yet tasted grass." Again said the Wolf, "You drink of my well." "No," exclaimed the Lamb, "I never yet drank water, for as yet my mother's milk is both food and drink to me." Upon which the Wolf seized him and ate him up, saying,"Well! I won't remain supperless, even though you refute everyone of my imputations." The tyrant will always find a pretext for his tyranny. 2、The Bat and the Weasels A BAT who fell upon the ground and was caught by a Weasel pleaded to be spared his life. The Weasel refused, saying that he was by nature the enemy of all birds. The Bat assured him that he was not a bird, but a mouse, and thus was set free. Shortly afterwards the Bat again fell to the ground and was caught by another Weasel, whom he likewise entreated not to eat him. The Weasel said that he had a special hostility to mice. The Bat assured him that he was not a mouse, but a bat, and thus a second time escaped. It is wise to turn circumstances to good account. 3、The Lion and the Mouse A LION was awakened from sleep by a Mouse running over his face. Rising up angrily, he caught him and was about to kill him, when the Mouse piteously entreated, saying: "If you would only spare my life, I would be sure to repay your kindness." The Lion laughed and let him go. It happened shortly after this that the Lion was caught by some hunters, who bound him by st ropes to the ground. The Mouse, recognizing his roar, came gnawed the rope with his teeth, and set him free, exclaim "You ridiculed the idea of my ever being able to help you, expecting to receive from me any repayment of your favor; I now you know that it is possible for even a Mouse to con benefits on a Lion." 4、The Father and His Sons A FATHER had a family of sons who were perpetually quarreling among themselves. When he failed to heal their disputes by his exhortations, he determined to give them a practical illustration of the evils of disunion; and for this purpose he one day told them to bring him a bundle of sticks. When they had done so, he placed the faggot into the hands of each of them in succession, and ordered them to break it in pieces. They tried with all their strength, and were not able to do it. He next opened the faggot, took the sticks separately, one by one, and again put them into his sons' hands, upon which they broke them easily. He then addressed them in these words: "My sons, if you are of one mind, and unite to assist each other, you will be as this faggot, uninjured by all the attempts of your enemies; but if you are divided among yourselves, you will be broken as easily as these sticks." 5、A CHARCOAL-BURNER carried on his trade in his own house. One day he met a friend, a Fuller, and entreated him to come and live with him, saying that they should be far better neighbors and that their housekeeping expenses would be lessened. The Fuller replied, "The arrangement is impossible as far as I am concerned, for whatever I should whiten, you would immediately blacken again with your charcoal." Like will draw like.。
7.英語(yǔ)諺語(yǔ)的小故事
Plug one's ears while stealing a bell(掩耳盜鈴)完整的英語(yǔ),后面有中文意思:)~ In the Spring and Autumn period, a thief had stolen a bell and intended to carry it away on his back, but the bell was too bulky and heavy to be carried, so he tried to break it into pieces with a hammer to make it easier for carrying. On his first hit, however, the bell made a loud noise. He thus feared that the ringing sound might be heard by someone, who would come to rob him of his bell. His fright made him plug his own ears, while hitting the bell with the hammer. The bell sound was, nevertheless, audible to others and therefore to stuff his ears for the purpose of stealing a bell was a stupid action it is as foolish as burying one's head in the sand. from Huai Nanzi(淮南子著) 掩耳盜鈴 在春秋戰(zhàn)國(guó)時(shí)期,有一個(gè)小偷偷了一只鐘。
The state of song a farmer, every day in the field work.
One day, the farmer working in the fields, a rabbit suddenly from the grass, out of nowhere. The hare for see someone and frightened. It run like a hit the farmer, but the root of the paddock one section, broke his neck was dead. The farmer will put down the farm work, went over and pick up the dead rabbits, he was very thankful for their good luck.
Coming back home in the evening, the farmer put the dead rabbit to his wife. The wife do the flavor of the hare meat, the couple talking and laughing feasted on a lesson.
The next day, as the farmer worked in the fields, but he don't like former so devotion. He did a while the aim the grass take aim, listen, listen and hope to have a rabbit out of nowhere into ?
9.英語(yǔ)諺語(yǔ)故事
Plug one's ears while stealing a bell(掩耳盜鈴)完整的英語(yǔ),后面有中文意思:)~ In the Spring and Autumn period, a thief had stolen a bell and intended to carry it away on his back, but the bell was too bulky and heavy to be carried, so he tried to break it into pieces with a hammer to make it easier for carrying. On his first hit, however, the bell made a loud noise. He thus feared that the ringing sound might be heard by someone, who would come to rob him of his bell. His fright made him plug his own ears, while hitting the bell with the hammer. The bell sound was, nevertheless, audible to others and therefore to stuff his ears for the purpose of stealing a bell was a stupid action it is as foolish as burying one's head in the sand. from Huai Nanzi(淮南子著) 掩耳盜鈴 在春秋戰(zhàn)國(guó)時(shí)期,有一個(gè)小偷偷了一只鐘。