《三国演义》中,衍生出许多大家经常使用的生活用语,象是“扶不起的阿斗”“说曹操,曹操就到”“三个臭皮匠胜过一个诸葛亮”等。你知道这些用语,在英文里也有相对应的惯用语吗?
1 a babe in arms 扶不起的阿斗
解析:babe(注意!不是“baby”)在这里解释为“天真,不谙世故而易受骗者”,如同“襁褓中的婴儿”。
例:
The chairman's son is a babe in arms. He doesn't have the ability to be the CEO of the company.(董事长的儿子是个扶不起的阿斗,他没有能力担任公司的CEO。)
2 speak of the devil 说曹操,曹操就到
解析:中文歇后语单纯指“提到某人,某人就出现在面前”,没有负面意味;英文里虽用devil(魔鬼)一词,但也是褒贬皆可用。
例:
I hadn't seen Michael for quite a long time. However, I was just talking about him and he appeared. Speak of the devil!(我好长一段时间没见到迈克尔了,然而我才刚谈到他,他就出现了。说曹操,曹操就到!)
3 two heads are better than one 三个臭皮匠胜过一个诸葛亮
解析:中文说“三个臭皮匠”,英文里只要“两个头”(two heads)即可!
例:
There's a saying, “Two heads are better than one.” You may consult others when making big decisions.(有句话说:“三个臭皮匠胜过一个诸葛亮。”当你做重大决定时,不妨咨询他人。)