家家有本難念的經(jīng)

有中國人譯成:Every family cooking-pot has a black spot.(每個家庭的鍋子都有黑色的污點)

而美國人一般這么說:Many families have skeletons in the closet.(許多家庭的衣柜里都有骨骸)(骨骸就是指家丑)

或者說:Every family has its own source of shame .熋扛黽彝ザ加兇約旱某笫)

說白些,就是:Every family has its own problem.G

天下無不散的宴席

有人直譯為:There are no feasts in the world which do not break up at last.

英語說法則是:

All good things come to an end.

(所有好的事情,總有結(jié)束的一天。)

假如是指好友最后也有分別的一天,那么可以說:

Eventually all bosom friends(知心的好朋友) will drift apart.G

禍從口出,言多必失

有人譯為:The mouth is the gate of misfortune and evil.老美聽了,恐怕不能完全理解。最好說成:

Careless talk leads to trouble.煵恍⌒乃禱,會帶來麻煩)或The less said the better.(說得愈少愈好)

甚至也可以說:Shut the mouth and open the eyes. (閉嘴少說,張眼多看。)G

口蜜腹劍,笑里藏刀

有中國人譯為:His mouth is honey his heart is a sword.

這種說法,老美會覺得“怪怪的”,如果改成:

He has honey in his mouth but murder in his heart.尚可。

不過,美國人通常只說:

He talks very warmly but his heart is very cold.

(他嘴巴很親切,但內(nèi)心很冷淡。)G

不入虎穴,焉得虎子

有人照字譯成:

If you do not enter the tiger＇s den how can you get his cub

或是:Unless you enter the tiger＇s den you can not get the cubs.

美國人有簡單的說法:

Nothing ventured nothing gained.

(不冒險,就沒有收獲。)

或者說:No pain no gain.G

《海外星云》(2000年33期)