令人迷糊的常用英文字翻譯
在美國有許多常用的字眼,往往使學(xué)習(xí)英語的中國人感到不解。在此,舉一些例子供讀者參考。
Head Start:如果這兩個(gè)字開頭的字母是大寫,則連在一起是一個(gè)專有名詞,指的是美國政府為貧窮或弱智的兒童設(shè)立的一種訓(xùn)練機(jī)構(gòu),幫助他們,希望他們在進(jìn)小學(xué)之前能趕上教學(xué)進(jìn)度。也就是:U.S.
government tries to give extra - help for those
underprivileged children before entering first grade.
(underprivileged 比 poor 更委婉些)
blue blood:是指有錢人或出身富家的人 (rich or wealthy people)
bed of roses:意思是稱心如意的境遇;美好、理想的"安樂窩"(everything seems
to be wonderful)
from soup to nuts:意思是從頭到尾,自始至終;或是一應(yīng)俱全,完整詳盡(多半是指物品方面)。
real blast:blast 本來是指"一陣狂風(fēng)"。但在口語中則是指歡樂,或玩得愉快,很盡興
(have a good time; usually refers to a party or
gathering.)
off-limits:意思是禁止入內(nèi);限制進(jìn)出或不準(zhǔn)使用,也就是關(guān)閉 (closed or not
available) next of kin:是指家人或者近親(closest relatives or anyone in
the family)。
在美國,所謂"親人"也是依每個(gè)人的不同情況而定的,可能是夫婦、父母、兒女,或是叔叔嬸嬸、表兄弟姐妹。
fair-weather friend:這是指一些只能同安樂而不能共患難"酒肉"朋友(being
friend only during favorable time)
real bomb:在口語里是指在公眾場所或舞臺(tái)上表演失敗或表現(xiàn)欠佳。通常與 real 用在一起。
neck and neck:不相上下,難分高低。(remain tie in any
competition)
through thick and thin:甘苦與共,共同分擔(dān)艱難困苦 (go through all
adversity)
cry wolf:"狼來了"的假警報(bào)。(false alarm; call attention for
something which is not true or not serious)
banner year:意思是特別得意或特別好的一年(如升官、加薪、贏得獎(jiǎng)勵(lì)等等)(a
wonderful or fantastic year)
shell company:這是指假冒或有名無實(shí)的公司行號,也就是所謂「皮包」公司。(fake
company; just make it up)
no dice:意思是不可能發(fā)生的事情,不會(huì)改變的,徒勞的,無用的;也就是"不行"。(something
not going to happen; not going to change; absolutely
not)(dice本意是骰子,單復(fù)數(shù)相同)
dislocated worker:指失業(yè)或正在找工作的人(refers to a person who
lost a job or still looking for a job) (老外為了禮貌含蓄,才有此說法)
stick-in-the-mud:這是指一些落伍保守,墨守成規(guī)者;或是思想落后,毫無進(jìn)取心的人,就像陷入泥淖一樣。(old
fashioned or unprogressive person)(多作名詞用)
Take chances:意思是冒險(xiǎn),也就是 take a risk 或 take a chance
。反之,take no chances 就是不冒險(xiǎn),很小心 (to be cautious;
careful)的意思。
I take no chances =I take no risk (我很小心)
而take (one's) chances 則是"準(zhǔn)備冒險(xiǎn)"的意思。
Dog's life:意思是生活中的困境或痛苦的日子 (hard and oppressive time
or difficult time in life)
En masse:這是法文,意思是全體人員,一同,一起 (As a whole; a large
group of people) , 按照字面意義看,就是 in mass的意思。
Con-man:是指騙子或壞蛋 (crook),專門設(shè)法取得他人信任后再行騙的人。(someone
who tries to gain your confidence, but later betray you)
Walking dead man:就是身體健康很差的人。
Take heart:意思是"鼓起勇氣,振作起來,不要悲觀 (cheer up; don't
worry; don't let something get you down; be cheerful;
don't be discouraged)
Happy-go-lucky:意思是無憂無慮的,樂天派的 (not worry about
anything; care free)
Dog's life:意思是生活中的困境或痛苦的日子 (hard and oppressive time
or difficult time in life)