成語典故俗語的翻譯.ppt

第二節(jié),漢語成語、典故、俗語、諺語與歇后語英譯,漢翻譯英教程,漢語成語英譯 漢語典故英譯 漢語俗語英譯 漢語諺語英譯 漢語歇后語英譯,目錄,Go,Go,Go,Go,Go,本節(jié)為漢語成語、典故、俗語、諺語和歇后語英譯。漢語成語，有時又稱成語典故。本節(jié)將成語與典故分別處理，雖然二者難以截然分開。俗語、諺語與歇后語有時也統(tǒng)稱熟語，這三種熟語在本節(jié)中也將分別處理。因此本節(jié)將分為五個部分：漢語成語、漢語典故、漢語俗語、漢語諺語和漢語歇后語英譯。另外，無論是成語、典故，還是俗語、諺語、歇后語都有帶數(shù)字的和不帶數(shù)字的。由于本章單獨設(shè)有漢語帶數(shù)字的詞語英譯一節(jié)，故帶數(shù)字的成語、典故、俗語、諺語和歇后語原則上不作為本節(jié)的內(nèi)容。,上述五類漢語詞語英譯，是漢語詞語英譯的一大難題。雖不乏共性，但各有特點。成語、典故基本上是書面語言，俗語、諺語和歇后語基本上是口頭語言。另外，成語與典故，尤其是典故，都有出典，俗語、諺語和歇后語雖也涉及典故，但數(shù)量較少，也更為通俗。漢語成語典故，四字格者居多，漢語俗語、諺語和歇后語中，四字格者如有也僅為鳳毛麟角。如前所述，歇后語有自己的固定格式，酷似謎語。它們之間的這些差異以及下面將要具體闡述的其他差異都會反映到選擇翻譯策略的差異上。,翻譯涉及的因素很多，既有語言層面的，也有文化層面的、時空層面的，還有譯者與讀者層面的，要翻譯到?jīng)]有斧鑿之痕是很不容易的。因此翻譯得是否到位，對譯者而言，在很大程度上，是個是否盡了力的問題。從接受的角度看，翻譯漢語成語、典故、俗語、諺語和歇后語，要盡量采用接受方讀者喜聞樂見的形式，如果較多地采用異化譯法，使讀者感到難以卒讀，就難以達到翻譯的目的。另外，異化是一個循序漸進的過程，有賴于歷史積淀，切忌急轉(zhuǎn)直下。下面，我們將本著盡力的原則，本著對讀者負責(zé)的原則，以及上面的一些想法，對漢語成語、典故、俗語、諺語與歇后語英譯分別予以闡述。,漢語成語英譯,如前所述，人們習(xí)慣上將成語與典故統(tǒng)稱為成語典故，本節(jié)分而治之，先介紹漢語成語英譯?，F(xiàn)代漢語詞典將漢語成語定義為“人們長期以來習(xí)用的、形式簡潔而意義精辟的、定型的詞組與短語?！鞭o海稱之為“習(xí)用的固定詞組”。許多成語詞典或其他工具書，如倪寶元的成語辨析、成語例示，對成語都沒有下定義，只是按照自己的理解決定取舍。我們雖不準備對成語下一個精確的定義，但選用的都是成語詞典或其他工具書上收錄的成語，是大家普遍認為比較典型的成語。,成語作為短語或詞組在句中可擔(dān)任一定成分，如主語、謂語（包括能愿合成謂語、判斷合成謂語、兼語句謂語、連動句謂語等）、賓語（包括介詞賓語）、定語、狀語、補語和獨立成分等，還可以分句的形式存在。但成語作為句子成分往往深埋在一定的層次中。從結(jié)構(gòu)上看，成語可分為聯(lián)合式、動賓式、主謂式、偏正式、連動式、兼語式、緊縮式等，如山盟海誓（聯(lián)合式）、為所欲為（動賓式）、盛氣凌人（主謂式）、泰然自若（偏正式）、投筆從戎（連動式）、引狼入室（兼語式）和膾炙人口（緊縮式）（倪寶元，1984）。成語的意義涉及的面很廣，涉及到生活、語言、文化、歷史等各個層面。,英譯漢語成語是件很不容易的事，涉及語言、文化與時空，涉及這些因素的相互交叉，涉及對語言、文化、時空及其交互因素的跨越。一般說來，很難譯出漢語成語的語言結(jié)構(gòu)，只能譯出意義，尤其難以做到既譯出語言結(jié)構(gòu)又譯出意義。就是翻譯意義，有時也往往難以兼顧本義與現(xiàn)在人們通常使用的意義，因為從本義到現(xiàn)在人們通常使用的意義有一個變遷過程，在變遷過程打下了時空的烙印。漢譯英中的跨語言文化因素，又增加了翻譯的難度。下面我們選擇20個淺近的漢語成語并對之進行英譯。,如果既有本義又有現(xiàn)在人們通常使用的意義，我們先譯本義，再譯現(xiàn)在人們通常使用的意義，翻譯之后對該成語的結(jié)構(gòu)、本義與現(xiàn)在人們通常使用的意義等用漢語簡要地予以說明。翻譯本義時往往采用字對字的翻譯方法，翻譯現(xiàn)在人們通常使用的意義時，更多地考慮英語的行文規(guī)范。這樣做，或許能使讀者了解一點漢語成語意義演變的概貌，進而從一個側(cè)面窺視漢語的思維文化。這種翻譯方法，通常稱為意譯。一般說來，直譯很容易使讀者茫然。另外，漢語成語英譯多采用意譯，是因為英漢兩種語言的成語，很少具有對應(yīng)性。我們有時將kill two birds with one stone譯成一箭雙雕，嚴格地說，是很勉強的，所以后來多傾向于譯成一石雙鳥。像這樣直譯成語，在某種意義上屬于巧合。因此，英譯漢語成語時，我們很少選用具有一定對應(yīng)性的英語成語。,粗枝大葉,thick branches and large leaves; (in doing things,) do not take due care; careless or carelessly 粗枝大葉為聯(lián)合結(jié)構(gòu)，字面意義是，枝子很粗，葉子很大，很不精細。通常當(dāng)馬虎大意和粗心大意使用。,聞所未聞,hearing what has never been heard before; rarely or seldom heard of 聞所未聞為動賓結(jié)構(gòu)，字面意義是聽到了從未聽到過的，通常用于指事理或論述的新鮮、奇特。,盛氣凌人,so arrogant as to impose oneself upon others; arrogant or domineering in manner 盛氣凌人為主謂結(jié)構(gòu)，字面意義是驕橫傲慢以氣勢壓人，通常與不可一世、咄咄逼人等詞語同義。,洋洋得意,extremely pleased as to be too proud; pleased and too proud; pleased to the extent of being too proud 洋洋得意也可以說成得意洋洋。洋洋得意是偏正結(jié)構(gòu)，洋洋修飾得意；得意洋洋也是偏正結(jié)構(gòu)，具體地說是動補結(jié)構(gòu)，但依然是洋洋修飾得意。字面意義是滿意到了驕傲的地步，得意到溢于言表。,小心翼翼,particularly careful, extremely cautious 小心翼翼為偏正結(jié)構(gòu)，翼翼用做補語修飾小心。翼翼的字面意義是多多，小心翼翼的字面意義是小心多多，使用時的意義為非常小心、特別謹慎，幾乎有點過分。,見異思遷,change ones mind upon seeing something new; be inconsistent in inclination 見異思遷是連動結(jié)構(gòu)，字面意義是見到了不同的東西就想丟掉原來的，換上那個不同的。主要用于描寫人們?nèi)菀赘淖冎饕?，喜愛不夠?qū)Ｒ?，有時用于描寫男的喜新厭舊，見到了不同于妻子的女人就想“換片子”，當(dāng)然也可以用來描寫這樣的女性。,剜肉補瘡,cut flesh to patch an ulcerate; take short-term measures to do something which requires long-term measures to be taken; to pull through a light crisis or solve a problem at the expenses of the future 剜肉補瘡為連動結(jié)構(gòu)，剜肉的目的是為了補瘡。字面意義是，某人生了瘡，為治療這個瘡竟然將自己的好肉割下來補上因生瘡而爛掉的那塊壞肉。人們通常用它來表達這樣的意思：為了救眼前之急，竟然犧牲未來。,調(diào)虎離山,lure the tiger so that it will leave the mountain where it lives; lure somebody to leave his advantageous location so as to overwhelm him 調(diào)虎離山是兼語結(jié)構(gòu)，字面意義是，想辦法引誘老虎使它離開它所生活的山，因而使其失去地理優(yōu)勢，以便戰(zhàn)勝老虎。此成語多用于指稱戰(zhàn)爭策略。戰(zhàn)爭中，一方占據(jù)地理優(yōu)勢，另一方為了改變這種局面，故意引誘它離開占據(jù)優(yōu)勢的地方，以便使其失去優(yōu)勢進而戰(zhàn)而勝之。,膾炙人口,sliced and roast meat is pleasant to everybodys taste; poems and pieces of prose are so excellent as to please every reader 膾炙人口中，膾是切成精細的小片的魚肉或肉，炙是烤肉。膾炙人口為緊縮結(jié)構(gòu)，字面意義是，好吃的東西人人都愛吃，多用于比喻好的詩文令大家賞心悅目。,昂首闊步,march with head raised stiffly; stride proudly ahead 昂首闊步為聯(lián)合結(jié)構(gòu)，字面意義為，昂著頭大踏步向前邁進。用時多有意氣風(fēng)發(fā)、斗志昂揚的意思，有時略有態(tài)度高傲的意思。,半途而廢,stop halfway; give up halfway 半途而廢為偏正結(jié)構(gòu)，字面意義是，走到半路上就不走了，用時多比喻做事干到一半就放棄了，含有惋惜甚至責(zé)備的意思。,不學(xué)無術(shù),one is not skilled with anything due to the fact that he does not study well; be incompetent due to ones ignorance; incompetent and ignorant 不學(xué)無術(shù)為聯(lián)合結(jié)構(gòu)，不學(xué)和無術(shù)間既可理解為并列關(guān)系，也可理解為因果關(guān)系。因此字面意義為，由于不學(xué)習(xí)而沒有本領(lǐng)，也可以理解為，既沒有學(xué)問也沒有本領(lǐng)。用于他人多含貶義，用于自己多表自謙。,觸類旁通,knowledge of an example enables one to understand the relevant category; comprehend something by analogy; understand things of a kind upon touching an example 觸類旁通為連動結(jié)構(gòu)，含有如果觸類了就可以旁通的因果意義，因此，本義是接觸到某一類知識，就懂得了類似的或相關(guān)的知識。用時多用本義。,奮不顧身,(in charging the enemy or accomplishing a risky task,) pay no attention to ones life security; regardless of ones security or life 奮不顧身為偏正結(jié)構(gòu)，意思為勇往直前到不顧個人安危的地步，用時多用本義。,泰然處之,behavior with composure; not slightly affected 泰然處之為偏正結(jié)構(gòu)，意思為遇到事情能冷靜對待，用時多用本義。有時也用泰然自若。,想入非非,indulge in fantasy; be unrealistic or illusory 想入非非為主謂結(jié)構(gòu)，意思是思考問題時想法不符合實際，用時多用本義。,心懷叵測,harbor evil intentions at heart that are not predictable; ill-intentioned 心懷叵測為主謂結(jié)構(gòu)，意思是心中懷著難以估測的歹意，用時多用本義。另一種說法為居心叵測。,無地自容,feel so ashamed as to find no place to hide oneself in; feel too ashamed to see others 無地自容為連動結(jié)構(gòu)，本意是因做錯了事而羞愧到了極點，羞于見人卻又找不到藏身的地方，用時多用本義。,忠心耿耿,be whole-heartedly loyal; be extremely loyal 忠心耿耿為主謂結(jié)構(gòu)，意思是非常忠誠，用時多用本義。,自慚形穢,be ashamed of ones inferior appearance; feel inferior 自慚形穢為主謂結(jié)構(gòu)，本意是因看到自己的容貌舉止不如別人而感到慚愧，現(xiàn)在通常使用的意思是因感到自己不如別人而非常慚愧。,漢語典故英譯,現(xiàn)代漢語詞典將典故定義為“詩文里引用的古書中的故事或詞句”。辭海將典故定義為“詩文中引用的古代故事和有來歷出處的詞語”。應(yīng)該說，典故多涉及古代故事或古人的詩詞歌賦與其他作品中的詞句，但也不盡然。例如，人們常用的華威先生、國外常用的某某門涉及的都是現(xiàn)代與當(dāng)代事件。因此，我們可以概而言之，典故多源于歷史、寓言、神話、傳說和事件，多見于歷史記載、文學(xué)作品和報刊雜志。例如，焚書坑儒源于歷史事件，買櫝還珠源于寓言，精衛(wèi)填海源于神話，伊朗門源于當(dāng)代事件等。這些典故，有的見于歷史記載，有的見于諸子百家，有的見于現(xiàn)代報刊。,如上所述，典故往往與成語一起合稱成語典故，語法功能和結(jié)構(gòu)與成語的語法功能和結(jié)構(gòu)也基本相同，因此這里不再說明典故的語法功能和結(jié)構(gòu)。 漢語典故英譯是個棘手問題。典故既有本義也有轉(zhuǎn)義，如果希望讀者真正理解它的本義和轉(zhuǎn)義，還得介紹典故的出處。我們這里采用這樣的做法，緊接在將要翻譯的典故之后用漢語簡要說明該典故的出處，翻譯時，先翻譯本義，再翻譯現(xiàn)行的使用義，最后用增加注釋的方法用英語簡要地譯介該典故的出處，但不是嚴格地將該典故的漢語部分譯成英語，而是用比相應(yīng)的漢語介紹更為簡略的英語來介紹。下面我們選擇20個典故并對之進行英譯。,百步穿楊,典出戰(zhàn)國策.西周策，有關(guān)情節(jié)可大致簡述如下。楚國有個叫養(yǎng)由基的，十分善射，在百步之外能射中楊柳的葉子，百發(fā)百中。后來用百步穿楊來形容人們善射。 To shoot an arrow through a willow leaf at the distance of 100 steps; extremely good at shooting Note: The allusion goes back to Yang Youji, an excellent shooter in the Zhou Dynasty, who could shoot an arrow at a willow leaf one hundred steps away and never missed the target.,班女之才,典出后漢書.列女傳，有關(guān)情節(jié)可大致簡述如下。班女名班昭，班彪之妹。班彪編著漢書，剩下八表和天文志沒有寫完就去世了。班昭接替其兄，完成了他的未竟之業(yè)，她還是皇后與貴人的老師，被認為是極富才學(xué)的女性。班女之才多用于描寫才高的女性。 (of a female) as capable as Ban Zhao; talented Note: Historic records have it that Ban N, whose name is Ban Zhao, the younger sister of Ban Biao, a historian famous for his monumental work of A History of the Han Dynasty. However, the historian died leaving the writing unfinished. Then Ban Zhao was assigned the task and completed the writing. For her talent, Ban Zhao was also appointed tutor for the empress and the emperors concubines.,伯樂相馬,典出屈原懷沙，有關(guān)情況可大致簡述如下。伯樂姓孫名陽，善于相馬。后來經(jīng)常用伯樂比喻善于發(fā)現(xiàn)人才的人。 Bo Le is very capable of discovering best horses; as capable as Bo Le in discovering talents Note: Qu Yuan, a famous Chinese poet of the State of Chu in the Warring State period, believed it that Bo Le was very capable of discovering best horses. The allusion is now often used to refer to persons capable of discovering and fostering talents.,東施效顰,典出莊子.天運，有關(guān)情節(jié)可大致簡述如下。古代著名美女西施因患有心痛病，經(jīng)常顰額或者說皺眉頭。村里有個丑女看見覺得很美，于是也學(xué)著顰額，結(jié)果反而更丑了。后來多用東施效顰比喻胡亂模仿，結(jié)果反而不美。 An ugly girl follows the suit of the pretty lady Xishi by knitting her eyebrows; imitate awkwardly Note: Legend has it that Xi Shi, a lady living in the State of Yue in the late years of Spring and Autumn period and famous for her beauty in ancient China, often knitted her eyebrows due to her illness. An ugly girl in the village saw this, believing that the behavior added much to her beauty. Then she followed Xi Shis suit by knitting her own brows the way Xi Shi did. However, it turned out that she became all the more ugly.,董狐直筆,典出左傳.宣公二年，有關(guān)情節(jié)可大致簡述如下。春秋時晉靈公欲殺趙盾，趙盾逃亡。他的從弟趙穿起兵攻打晉靈公并在桃園將他殺死。史官董狐認為，此舉是趙盾弒君，并不畏趙盾的權(quán)勢，冒著生命危險將這件事載入了史冊。后來多用此典比喻人們不為權(quán)者諱、不為賢者諱，在史冊或其他書籍中，實事求是地記載或談?wù)撍麄兊倪^失。 Dong Hu, a historian in Spring and Autumn period, recorded historic facts as they were without any distortion to appease officials for their vanity; (in recording historic events) call a spade a spade as Dong Hu did Note: Historic records have it that during the Spring and Autumn period, when Duke Ling of Jin was going to kill Zhao Dun, who then escaped by running away, Zhao Duns distant brother Zhao Chuan took armed forces to attack the duke and killed him in a peach garden. Dong Hu, the historian, believed that it was an act of regicide on the part of Zhao Dun and recorded the act in history this way despite Zhao Duns overwhelming power that might threaten his life. The allusion is later used to refer to speaking frankly.,負荊請罪,典出史記.廉頗藺相如列傳，有關(guān)情節(jié)可大致簡述如下。廉頗和藺相如都是趙國人，廉頗是趙國大將，藺相如出身低微，但在對秦國的斗爭中多次建立功勛，被拜為上卿，官位高于廉頗。廉頗不服，屢屢找茬子羞辱藺相如。藺相如為國家計，顧全大局，總是退讓。后來廉頗知道了，藺相如屢屢退讓，不是怕他，而是擔(dān)心將相不和，秦國會乘機侵略趙國。那樣，趙國就會滅亡，老百姓就會遭殃。此事感動了廉頗，于是他身背荊杖到藺相如府上請罪。后來多用此典指犯了錯誤又主動承認錯誤、改正錯誤的舉動。 To make apology by carrying a twig of the chaste tree and asking the one to whom the apology is made to beat him or her; making an active apology Note: Historic records have it that Lian Po and Ling Xiangru were courtiers of the State of Zhao. Lian Po was the famous general at the time. Born humbly, Ling Xiangru was promoted to the position higher than Lian Pos for his outstanding contributions in the struggles against the State of Qin. This made Lian Po jealous and tried to slight Ling Xiangru, who thought that if he and Lian Po were in discord or conflict, then the State of Qin would take the opportunity to invade the State of Zhao. Therefore, Ling Xiangru always tried to avoid any possible conflict with the general. Having learned of this, Lian Po realized that he was wrong and went to Ling Xiangrus mansion to make apology by carrying a twig and asking Ling Xiangru to beat him for his wrong doings.,風(fēng)聲鶴唳,典出晉書.苻堅載記。這個典故也常常說成風(fēng)聲鶴唳，草木皆兵。有關(guān)情節(jié)可大致簡述如下。東晉時期，國家分裂，南北對峙，北方的前秦主苻堅率兵攻打南方的東晉，結(jié)果被東晉打得慘敗而歸。苻堅等人站在城樓上觀望對方，見東晉軍容整齊，將八公山上的草木也當(dāng)成晉軍。此前，在淝水被擊敗而逃亡之時，將風(fēng)聲與鶴聲也當(dāng)成了追兵的吶喊聲。淝水之戰(zhàn)是我國歷史上有名的以少勝多的戰(zhàn)例，后來常用風(fēng)聲鶴唳或風(fēng)聲鶴唳，草木皆兵來形容人們由于非常害怕，便捕風(fēng)捉影，將不是那回事也當(dāng)成那回事了。,To take the moan of wind and the cry of cranes for enemys shouting; fearful at any slight omen; very apprehensive Note: Historic records have it that when Qian Qin, a state on the north, was utterly defeated by Dong Jin, a state on the south, on their way of escaping, Qian Qins generals and soldiers took the moan of wind and the cry of cranes for enemys shouting, and grass and trees for enemys chasing forces. This allusion is now used to refer to peoples groundless fears.,邯鄲學(xué)步,典出莊子.秋水，有關(guān)情節(jié)可大致簡述如下。古代燕國有一個少年看到邯鄲人走路姿態(tài)很優(yōu)美，就學(xué)他們的樣子走路，結(jié)果沒有學(xué)會，反而將自己原來的走路方法也忘了，只好爬著回去。后來用這個典故形容人們盲目地模仿他人，結(jié)果反而弄糟了。,To walk as people of Handan do; to imitate awkwardly Note: Legend has it that a youngster from the State of Yan saw that the Handans walk was very graceful and then tried to acquire the walking manner but only to find that he did not learn anything at all and had forgotten how he originally walked. Therefore, he had to crawl all the way back home. The allusion is now used to ridicule those who imitate blindly.,驚弓之鳥,典出戰(zhàn)國策.楚策四，有關(guān)情節(jié)可大致簡述如下。有一天，更羸和魏王在一起，看見有一只鳥從天空飛過。更羸對魏王說，我將弓拉開，不搭箭虛射出去，鳥會應(yīng)聲而落。魏王不信。更羸果然拉虛弓而使飛鳥落地。其實，那是一只受了傷的鳥，聽到弓弦響就嚇得墜落下來。后來用這個典故形容人遭受打擊后，心理非常脆弱，常產(chǎn)生不必要的恐慌。,A bird that fell down at the sound of an arrowless shooting; a deadly frightened person Note: Tradition has it that Geng Lei and the king of the State of Wei were once together, seeing a bird flying across the sky. Geng Lei said to the king that if he shot without an arrow, the bird would also fall down. The king did not believe it and Geng Lei did as he had said and the bird really fell down. It turned out that the bird had been wounded by a previous shooting and was frightened down at the sound of Geng Leis arrowless shooting. The allusion is now used to refer to people who, having experienced a crisis or danger, are still affected by the lingering fear.,勞燕分飛,典出樂府詩集.東飛伯勞歌，有關(guān)詩文的細節(jié)可大致簡述如下。勞為伯勞鳥，它和燕子一個飛到東，一個飛到西，兩下分開了。后來用之比喻夫妻或情侶兩離分。 The bird of Bo Lao and the sparrow fly apart; be separated Note: In a poem, it was said that the bird of Bo Lao and the sparrow flew separately one eastward and the other westward. The allusion is now used to refer to separation of a couple or lovers.,孟母三遷,典出烈女傳，有關(guān)情節(jié)可大致簡述如下。為了孟子和其他孩子有一個良好的成長環(huán)境，孟母（孟子的母親）三次搬家以避免不好的成長環(huán)境。后來人們常用此典褒獎那些教子有方的女性，有時也用以指好鄰居。,The mother of Mencius moved their home three times; moving ones home for the desired environment for the education of ones children Note: Tradition has it that Mrs Meng, mother of Mencius, moved her home three times for an ideal neighborhood for the education of her son Mencius and his brothers. The allusion is now used to give praise to those who are good at educating their young.,女媧補天,典出淮南子.覽冥訓(xùn)，有關(guān)情節(jié)可大致簡述如下。古代天的四極是殘缺的，神人伏羲的妹妹女媧煉五色石以補天，斬斷巨鰲的足來支撐四極。后來人們常用此典來褒獎人們救國救難、匡正乾坤的壯舉，也用于指治理災(zāi)難。,N Wa patches the sky; to save the populace by patching the sky or doing a great deed Note: Legend has it that when the sky and the earth began to separate, the four corners of the sky were fragmentary. Then N Wa, Fu Xis sister, fostered stones of color to patch the sky and cut the four legs from a giant tortoise as poles to support the sky. In this way, she contributed a great deal to the mankind. The allusion is now used to such heroic deeds as salvation of the nation or pulling the people through crisis or natural disasters.,杞人憂天,典出列子.天瑞，有關(guān)情節(jié)可大致簡述如下。古代杞國有個人害怕天崩地陷，無處安身，終日憂愁，以致寢食俱廢。后來多用此典指有些人對有些事產(chǎn)生不必要的擔(dān)心與害怕。 A certain person from the State of Qi worries that the sky would fall down and he would have no place to harbor himself; groundless worry Note: Legend has it that a certain person from the State of Qi worried that the sky would some day fall down and he then would have no place to shelter himself from the disaster. He worried day and night as to neglect his meal and sleep. The allusion now applies to the case of groundless worry.,繞梁三日,也有說成余音繞梁的，典出列子.湯問，有關(guān)情節(jié)可大致簡述如下。古代有個叫韓娥的歌手，在去齊國的路上沒有辦法，在雍門賣唱乞食。唱得很好，走了之后三天之內(nèi)人們?nèi)愿械接嘁粑瓷?，仿佛還在梁間回繞。后來用此典形容優(yōu)美的歌曲。,Whirling around the beam for three days; (of a song) so excellent as to let the audience feel it lingering for a long time Note: Legend has it that in ancient time, Han E once on the way to the State of Qi had no food but to beg by singing. She sang so beautifully that three days after she left, the audience still felt that the song was lingering in the hall. The allusion now applies to the description of excellent songs or music.,塞翁失馬,也有說成塞翁失馬，焉知非福的，典出淮南子.人間訓(xùn)，有關(guān)情節(jié)可大致簡述如下。古代邊塞有位老翁丟了馬，人們都來安慰他。他卻說，馬丟了，說不定還是一種福氣呢。后來那匹馬回來了，還引回了胡人的一匹馬。此時人們又來向他賀喜。他說，說不定是一種禍事呢。正如所言，不久他的兒子因為騎那匹馬摔斷了腿。后來人們用此典形容禍福相依，相互轉(zhuǎn)化，難以逆料。,The frontiersman loses his horse; a loss may turn out to be a blessing Note: Legend has it that a frontiersman once lost his horse and his neighbors came to comfort him. However, he said to the neighbors that the loss might turn out to be a blessing. Later, the horse came back with another horse of the Tartars and then his neighbors came to extend their congratulations. However, he said on the occasion that the blessing might turn out to be a misfortune. It really so happened that his son rode the horse, fell down from it and had his leg broken. And the story continues in that line. The allusion now applies to comforting others when they have a bad fortune.,聞雞起舞,典出晉書.祖逖傳，有關(guān)情節(jié)可大致簡述如下。祖逖與劉琨都做司州主簿，非常要好，經(jīng)常一起睡覺。有一次半夜聽到雞叫，祖逖將劉琨踢醒說，半夜聽到雞叫并非壞事，于是兩人起床舞練。后來多用此典形容人們立志發(fā)奮圖強。,To get out of bed to exercise oneself when the cock crows in the middle night; diligent and self-disciplined Note: Historic records have it that Zu Di and Liu Kun were good friends on their posts as secretaries and spent their nights on the same bed. Once they heard cocks crow in the middle night. Then Zu Di woke up Liu Kun and said to him that cocks crowing in the middle night wasnt a bad thing and they rose to exercise themselves.,相濡以沫,典出莊子.大宗師，有關(guān)意思可大簡述如下。水干了，魚被困于干地，亟需水來維持生命，于是相互吐沫以濕潤對方。后來多用此典指在困境中相互救助，也指老年夫妻或一般夫婦相依為命。,To moisten each other with pit when water becomes dry; to help each other in the time of need; (of an aging couple or a couple in general) to help each other in their remaining life or life in general Note: Legend has it that when water became dry, fish were in difficulty on the dry land so that they pitted to moisten each other. The allusion is now used to mean help each other in the time of need though the helper is also involved in difficulty or to describe an aging couple who help each other in their remaining time or any couple who help each other in their life.,一飯千金,典出史記.淮陰侯列傳，有關(guān)情節(jié)可大致簡述如下。東漢開國功臣韓信年輕時窮困潦倒，經(jīng)常在城邊的河里釣魚。有位漂紗的老夫人見到韓信饑餓就將自己的飯分給他吃，一連吃了幾十天。韓信非常感激，離開那兒時他對漂母說，今后如果有出息，一定要用千金報答她。后來韓信幫助劉邦建立了帝業(yè)，被封為楚王。他招來這位漂母，賜給她千金。后來多用此典說明人們知恩圖報。,A meal in give, a thousand taels of gold in return; to cherish others kindness at heart and repay it Note: Historic records have it that when young, Han Xin was in poverty and often went fishing by the river near a town. He had no food to support himself and on seeing this, a yarn rinsing old lady gave him half of her own meal. She had done this for tens of days on end. Appreciative of her kindness, Han Xin said to the lady on his departure that if he could climb high, he would return her kindness by giving her a thousand taels of gold. Then Han Xin helped Liu Bang in utterly defeating Xiang Yu and establishing the Han Dynasty. For his contribution, Han Xin was appointed King of the Kingdom of Chu. Then calling the lady to his official mansion, Han Xin gave her a thousand taels of gold as he had promised. The allusion is now used to mean repaying others kindness.,張耳陳余,典出史記.張耳陳余列傳，有關(guān)情節(jié)可大致簡述如下。張耳陳余都是秦末漢初人，起初為刎頸之交，后來起兵反秦，因產(chǎn)生嫌隙，積怨日深，相互交惡，乃至兵戎相見。后來用此典指勢利之交，不能永遠。,Not devoted to each other throughout like Zhang Er and Chen Yu; disloyal friends Note: Historic records have it that Zhang Er and Chen Yu were great figures by the end of the Qin Dynasty or at the beginning of the Han Dynasty. At first, they were bosom friends and took armies to overthrow the Qin Dynasty. For reasons, discords developed between them and finally they became enemies and attacked each others by resorting to armed forces. The allusion is now used to refer to disloyal friends.,煮豆燃萁,典出世說新語.文學(xué)，有關(guān)故事可大致簡述如下。三國期間，魏文帝曹丕妒忌其弟曹植的才能，經(jīng)常找茬子整他。有一天，他限令曹植在七步之內(nèi)口吟一首詩，否則就要殺他的頭。曹植果然有才，踱到第七步口吟五言詩一首。大意是說，用豆秸煮豆子，豆子在鍋中哭