漢語成語、典故、俗語、諺語與歇后語英譯

粗枝大葉thickbranchesandlargeleaves;(indoingthings,)donottakeduecare;carelessorcarelessly

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(xì)。通常當(dāng)馬虎大意和粗心大意使用。翻譯磨刀石（直譯）聲東擊西刻骨銘心狗仗人勢口蜜腹劍Shoutintheeastandstrikeinthewest(lookonewayandrowanother/sellthedummy)Beengravedinone’sheartandbones(remembertotheendofone’slife)Belikeadogcountingonitsmaster’sbacking(beabullyundertheprotectionofapowerfulperson)Tobehoney-mouthedanddagger-hearted(aJudaskiss)翻譯磨刀石（意譯）虛懷若谷如虎添翼噤若寒蟬指腹為婚Tobemodestandextremelyopen-mindedWithmightredoubled(withaddedstrength)KeepsilentoutoffearThetwohavebeenengagedtoeachotherbeforetheywereborn.(prenatalbetrothal)其他例子：揮金如土TothrowmoneyaboutlikedirtTospendmoneylikewater掌上明珠ApearlinthepalmTheappleofone’seyeThebeloveddaughter骨瘦如柴Tobeasthinassticks/alathTobeabagofbonesTobeskinandbones雪中送炭TosendcharcoalinsnowyweatherTohelpalamedogoverastile(臺階)Providetimelyhelp翻譯磨刀石（套譯）順?biāo)兄鄯求H非馬日暮途窮本末倒置SailwiththewindNeitherfish,fleshnorfowlAttheendofone’sropePutthecartbeforethehorse粗枝大葉無孔不入揚(yáng)眉吐氣紙醉金迷開門見山單槍匹馬風(fēng)雨飄搖Tobecrudeandcareless(sloppy)tobeall-pervasive/seizeanyopportunityTofeelproudandelated/holdone’sheadhighAlifeofluxuryanddissipationTocomestraighttothepointTobesingle-handedindoingsomethingTobeinunstable/turbulenttimes這類成語一般用意譯或者套譯毛遂自薦葉公好龍南柯一夢四面楚歌錙銖必較罄竹難書初出茅廬傾國傾城懸梁刺股Tovolunteerone’sservicesProfessedloveofwhatonereallyfearsAfonddreamorillusoryjoyTobebesiegedonallsidesTohaggleovereverypenny(ofcrimes)toonumeroustoberecordedAtthebeginningofone’scareer(inexperienced)Tobeexceedinglybeautiful(gorgeous)Tobeextremelyhard-workinginone’sstudy意譯套譯小題大做赴湯蹈火洗心革面橫行霸道過河拆橋乳臭未干格格不入魂不附體MakeamountainoutofamolehillGothroughfireandwaterTurnoveranewleafThrowone’sweightaboutKickdowntheladderBewetbehindtheearsBelikesquarepegsinroundholesJumpoutofone’sskin(tobescaredoutofone’swits)翻譯磨刀石（歷史故事和寓言英譯）畫龍點睛三顧茅廬掩耳盜鈴殺雞儆猴AddthetouchthatbringsaworkofarttolifeRepeatedlyrequestsomebodytotakeuparesponsiblepostPlugone’searswhilestealingabell(todeceiveoneself)Killthechickentofrightenthemonkey(punishsomeoneasawarningtoothers)杞人憂天

groundlessworry繞梁三日(ofasong)soexcellentastolettheaudiencefeelitlingeringforalongtime塞翁失馬alossmayturnouttobeablessing聞雞起舞diligentandself-disciplined煮豆燃萁todoharmtoone’sownbrothersorsisters初生牛犢不怕虎anewborncalfisn’tafraidofthetiger;ayoungsterisadaredevil.吃一塹，長一智afallinpit,againinwit;Wisdomcomesbysuffering;theburntchilddreadsfire;experienceteaches人不可貌相，海水不可斗量don’tjudgeamanbyhisappearanceanddon’tmeasuretheseawithadouorbucket;hemaybemorecapablethanhelooks;amanmayhavemorepotentialthanyouknow.禍兮福所依，福兮禍所伏

fortuneormisfortunemayleadtotheopposite.聞所未聞hearingwhathasneverbeenheardbefore;rarelyorseldomheardof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soarrogantastoimposeoneselfuponothers;arrogantordomineeringinmanner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extremelypleasedastobetooproud;pleasedandtooproud;pleasedtotheextentofbeingtooproud

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(bǔ)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particularlycareful,extremelycautious小心翼翼為偏正結(jié)構(gòu)，翼翼用做補(bǔ)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(jǐn)慎，幾乎有點過分。

見異思遷changeone’sminduponseeingsomethingnew;beinconsistentininclination

剜肉補(bǔ)瘡cutfleshtopatchanulcerate;takeshort-termmeasurestodosomethingwhichrequireslong-termmeasurestobetaken;topullthroughalightcrisisorsolveaproblemattheexpensesofthefuture

調(diào)虎離山lurethetigersothatitwillleavethemountainwhereitlives;luresomebodytoleavehisadvantageouslocationsoastooverwhelmhim

膾炙人口slicedandroastmeatispleasanttoeverybody’staste;poemsandpiecesofprosearesoexcellentastopleaseeveryreader膾炙人口中，膾是切成精細(xì)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marchwithheadraisedstiffly;strideproudlyahead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(jìn)。用時多有意氣風(fēng)發(fā)、斗志昂揚(yáng)的意思，有時略有態(tài)度高傲的意思。

半途而廢stophalfway;giveuphalfway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)oneisnotskilledwithanythingduetothefactthathedoesnotstudywell;beincompetentduetoone’signorance;incompetentandignorant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knowledgeofanexampleenablesonetounderstandtherelevantcategory;comprehendsomethingbyanalogy;understandthingsofakindupontouchinganexample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(inchargingtheenemyoraccomplishingariskytask,)paynoattentiontoone’slifesecurity;regardlessofone’ssecurityorlife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behaviorwithcomposure;notslightlyaffected

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indulgeinfantasy;beunrealisticorillusory

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harborevilintentionsatheartthatarenotpredictable;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feelsoashamedastofindnoplacetohideoneselfin;feeltooashamedtoseeothers

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bewhole-heartedlyloyal;beextremelyloyal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beashamedofone’sinferiorappearance;feelinferior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。百步穿楊Toshootanarrowthroughawillowleafatthedistanceof100steps;extremelygoodatshootingNote:TheallusiongoesbacktoYangYouji,anexcellentshooterintheZhouDynasty,whocouldshootanarrowatawillowleafonehundredstepsawayandnevermissedthetarget.

班女之才(ofafemale)ascapableasBanZhao;talented

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(rèn)為是極富才學(xué)的女性。班女之才多用于描寫才高的女性。Note:HistoricrecordshaveitthatBanNü,whosenameisBanZhao,theyoungersisterofBanBiao,ahistorianfamousforhismonumentalworkofAHistoryoftheHanDynasty.However,thehistoriandiedleavingthewritingunfinished.ThenBanZhaowasassignedthetaskandcompletedthewriting.Forhertalent,BanZhaowasalsoappointedtutorfortheempressandtheemperor’sconcubines.

伯樂相馬BoLeisverycapableofdiscoveringbesthorses;ascapableasBoLeindiscoveringtalentsNote:QuYuan,afamousChinesepoetoftheStateofChuintheWarringStateperiod,believeditthatBoLewasverycapableofdiscoveringbesthorses.Theallusionisnowoftenusedtorefertopersonscapableofdiscoveringandfosteringtalents.

東施效顰AnuglygirlfollowsthesuitoftheprettyladyXishibyknittinghereyebrows;imitateawkwardly

董狐直筆DongHu,ahistorianinSpringandAutumnperiod,recordedhistoricfactsastheywerewithoutanydistortiontoappeaseofficialsfortheirvanity;(inrecordinghistoricevents)callaspadeaspadeasDongHudidNote:HistoricrecordshaveitthatduringtheSpringandAutumnperiod,whenDukeLingofJinwasgoingtokillZhaoDun,whothenescapedbyrunningaway,ZhaoDun’sdistantbrotherZhaoChuantookarmedforcestoattackthedukeandkilledhiminapeachgarden.DongHu,thehistorian,believedthatitwasanactofregicideonthepartofZhaoDunandrecordedtheactinhistorythiswaydespiteZhaoDun’soverwhelmingpowerthatmightthreatenhislife.Theallusionislaterusedtorefertospeakingfrankly.

負(fù)荊請罪Tomakeapologybycarryingatwigofthechastetreeandaskingtheonetowhomtheapologyismadetobeathimorher;makinganactiveapologyNote:HistoricrecordshaveitthatLianPoandLingXiangruwerecourtiersoftheStateofZhao.LianPowasthefamousgeneralatthetime.Bornhumbly,LingXiangruwaspromotedtothepositionhigherthanLianPo’sforhisoutstandingcontributionsinthestrugglesagainsttheStateofQin.ThismadeLianPojealousandtriedtoslightLingXiangru,whothoughtthatifheandLianPowereindiscordorconflict,thentheStateofQinwouldtaketheopportunitytoinvadetheStateofZhao.Therefore,LingXiangrualwaystriedtoavoidanypossibleconflictwiththegeneral.Havinglearnedofthis,LianPorealizedthathewaswrongandwenttoLingXiangru’smansiontomakeapologybycarryingatwigandaskingLingXiangrutobeathimforhiswrongdoings.

風(fēng)聲鶴唳Totakethemoanofwindandthecryofcranesforenemy’sshouting;fearfulatanyslightomen;veryapprehensiveNote:HistoricrecordshaveitthatwhenQianQin,astateonthenorth,wasutterlydefeatedbyDongJin,astateonthesouth,ontheirwayofescaping,QianQin’sgeneralsandsoldierstookthemoanofwindandthecryofcranesforenemy’sshouting,andgrassandtreesforenemy’schasingforces.Thisallusionisnowusedtorefertopeople’sgroundlessfears.

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。TowalkaspeopleofHandando;toimitateawkwardlyNote:LegendhasitthatayoungsterfromtheStateofYansawthattheHandans’walkwasverygracefulandthentriedtoacquirethewalkingmannerbutonlytofindthathedidnotlearnanythingatallandhadforgottenhowheoriginallywalked.Therefore,hehadtocrawlallthewaybackhome.Theallusionisnowusedtoridiculethosewhoimitateblindly.

驚弓之鳥Abirdthatfelldownatthesoundofanarrowlessshooting;adeadlyfrightenedpersonNote:TraditionhasitthatGengLeiandthekingoftheStateofWeiwereoncetogether,seeingabirdflyingacrossthesky.GengLeisaidtothekingthatifheshotwithoutanarrow,thebirdwouldalsofalldown.ThekingdidnotbelieveitandGengLeididashehadsaidandthebirdreallyfelldown.ItturnedoutthatthebirdhadbeenwoundedbyapreviousshootingandwasfrighteneddownatthesoundofGengLei’sarrowlessshooting.Theallusionisnowusedtorefertopeoplewho,havingexperiencedacrisisordanger,arestillaffectedbythelingeringfear.勞燕分飛典出《樂府詩集.東飛伯勞歌》，有關(guān)詩文的細(xì)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。ThebirdofBoLaoandthesparrowflyapart;beseparatedNote:Inapoem,itwassaidthatthebirdofBoLaoandthesparrowflewseparatelyoneeastwardandtheotherwestward.Theallusionisnowusedtorefertoseparationofacoupleorlovers.

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。ThemotherofMenciusmovedtheirhomethreetimes;movingone’shomeforthedesiredenvironmentfortheeducationofone’schildrenNote:TraditionhasitthatMrsMeng,motherofMencius,movedherhomethreetimesforanidealneighborhoodfortheeducationofhersonMenciusandhisbrothers.Theallusionisnowusedtogivepraisetothosewhoaregoodateducatingtheiryoung.女媧補(bǔ)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(bǔ)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。NüWapatchesthesky;tosavethepopulacebypatchingtheskyordoingagreatdeedNote:Legendhasitthatwhentheskyandtheearthbegantoseparate,thefourcornersoftheskywerefragmentary.ThenNüWa,FuXi’ssister,fosteredstonesofcolortopatchtheskyandcutthefourlegsfromagianttortoiseaspolestosupportthesky.Inthisway,shecontributedagreatdealtothemankind.Theallusionisnowusedtosuchheroicdeedsassalvationofthenationorpullingthepeoplethroughcrisisornaturaldisasters.杞人憂天AcertainpersonfromtheStateofQiworriesthattheskywouldfalldownandhewouldhavenoplacetoharborhimself;groundlessworryNote:LegendhasitthatacertainpersonfromtheStateofQiworriedthattheskywouldsomedayfalldownandhethenwouldhavenoplacetoshelterhimselffromthedisaster.Heworrieddayandnightastoneglecthismealandsleep.Theallusionnowappliestothecaseofgroundlessworry.

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。Whirlingaroundthebeamforthreedays;(ofasong)soexcellentastolettheaudiencefeelitlingeringforalongtimeNote:Legendhasitthatinancienttime,HanEonceonthewaytotheStateofQihadnofoodbuttobegbysinging.Shesangsobeautifullythatthreedaysaftersheleft,theaudiencestillfeltthatthesongwaslingeringinthehall.Theallusionnowappliestothedescriptionofexcellentsongsormusic.塞翁失馬Thefrontiersmanloseshishorse;alossmayturnouttobeablessingNote:Legendhasitthatafrontiersmanoncelosthishorseandhisneighborscametocomforthim.However,hesaidtotheneighborsthatthelossmightturnouttobeablessing.Later,thehorsecamebackwithanotherhorseoftheTartarsandthenhisneighborscametoextendtheircongratulations.However,hesaidontheoccasionthattheblessingmightturnouttobeamisfortune.Itreallysohappenedthathissonrodethehorse,felldownfromitandhadhislegbroken.Andthestorycontinuesinthatline.Theallusionnowappliestocomfortingotherswhentheyhaveabadfortune.

聞雞起舞Togetoutofbedtoexerciseoneselfwhenthecockcrowsinthemiddlenight;diligentandself-disciplinedNote:HistoricrecordshaveitthatZuDiandLiuKunweregoodfriendsontheirpostsassecretariesandspenttheirnightsonthesamebed.Oncetheyheardcockscrowinthemiddlenight.ThenZuDiwokeupLiuKunandsaidtohimthatcockscrowinginthemiddlenightwasn’tabadthingandtheyrosetoexercisethemselves.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。Tomoisteneachotherwithpitwhenwaterbecomesdry;tohelpeachotherinthetimeofneed;(ofanagingcoupleoracoupleingeneral)tohelpeachotherintheirremaininglifeorlifeingeneralNote:Legendhasitthatwhenwaterbecamedry,fishwereindifficultyonthedrylandsothattheypittedtomoisteneachother.Theallusionisnowusedtomeanhelpeachotherinthetimeofneedthoughthehelperisalsoinvolvedindifficultyortodescribeanagingcouplewhohelpeachotherintheirremainingtimeoranycouplewhohelpeachotherintheirlife.一飯千金Amealingive,athousandtaelsofgoldinreturn;tocherishothers’kindnessatheartandrepayitNote:Historicrecordshaveitthatwhenyoung,HanXinwasinpovertyandoftenwentfishingbytherivernearatown.Hehadnofoodtosupporthimselfandonseeingthis,ayarnrinsingoldladygavehimhalfofherownmeal.Shehaddonethisfortensofdaysonend.Appreciativeofherkindness,HanXinsaidtotheladyonhisdeparturethatifhecouldclimbhigh,hewouldreturnherkindnessbygivingherathousandtaelsofgold.ThenHanXinhelpedLiuBanginutterlydefeatingXiangYuandestablishingtheHanDynasty.Forhiscontribution,HanXinwasappointedKingoftheKingdomofChu.Thencallingtheladytohisofficialmansion,HanXingaveherathousandtaelsofgoldashehadpromised.Theallusionisnowusedtomeanrepayingothers’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(yuǎn)。NotdevotedtoeachotherthroughoutlikeZhangErandChenYu;disloyalfriendsNote:HistoricrecordshaveitthatZhangErandChenYuweregreatfiguresbytheendoftheQinDynastyoratthebeginningoftheHanDynasty.Atfirst,theywerebosomfriendsandtookarmiestooverthrowtheQinDynasty.Forreasons,discordsdevelopedbetweenthemandfinallytheybecameenemiesandattackedeachothersbyresortingtoarmedforces.Theallusionisnowusedtorefertodisloyalfriends.

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，豆子在鍋中哭泣著對豆秸說，我們本是同根生的，你何苦苦苦相逼呢？后人多用這個典故指手足相殘，有時也用之指才思敏捷。Toboilbeansbyburningbeanstalks;todoharmtoone’sownbrothersorsistersNote:TraditionhasitthatduringtheThreeKingdomperiod,CaoPi,EmperorWenoftheKingdomofWei,wasjealousofhisbrotherCaoZhi’stalent.ThenheoftentriedtofindexcusetokillCaoZhi.OnceCaoPiorderedCaoZhitopacesevenstepsandwithinthedurationoftimeheshouldcomposeapoem.Otherwise,hewouldimposecapitalpunishmentonCaoZhi.Reallytalented,onfinishingtheseventhstep,hecomposedapoem,whichroughlyreads:Beingboiledbythebeanstalksburning,thebeaninthewokcried,saying:Stalksandbeansarekinthough,whyshouldyouburnmehardso?Thisallusionisnowusedtodescribetheactofdoingharmtoone’sbrotheroranyotherbloodrelative.

不看僧面看佛面don’tblamethemonkfortheBuddha’sake;don’tblametheinferiorortheyoungforthesakeofhissuperiorortheold;forgiveonepersonforanother’ssake不怕官，只怕管notafraidofanofficialbutafraidofanadministrator;itisnottheofficialbutthepersondirectlyinchargethatmatters不聽老人言，吃苦在眼前don’tlistentoyouroldpeopleandyouwillsufferverysoon;takingtheadvicefortheoldgenerationwillsaveyoufromtroubleorsuffering不撞南墻不回頭hewillnotturnbackuntilhebumpsontothesouthernwall;hewillgoaheaduntilblocked;hewillgoaheaduntilreachingthedeadend不做虧心事，不怕鬼敲門ifyoudon’tcommitanysin,youwillnotbeafraidofthedevilknockingatyourdoor;anuprightmanisn’tafraidofanything財大氣粗awealthymanspeakslouder;moneytalks差之毫厘，失之千里anerrorthebreadthofasinglehaircanleadyouathousandliastray;aslightesterrorcanleadtoagreatestdeviation;aslightcarelessnesscanleadtoaseveremistake成事不足，敗事有余unabletoaccomplishanythingbutlikelytospoileverything;impossibletoachievebutpossibletoruin勝者為王，敗者為寇victorious,youwillbeaking,butdefeated,youwillbeabandit;victorymakesakingofthewinnerwhiledefeatmakesabanditoftheloser;whetheryouwillbeakingorabanditdependsonwhetheryoucanwinornot吃不了兜著走ifyoucan’teatitup,youhavetotakeitaway;getmorethanonehasbargainedfor;youwillhavetotakefullresponsibilityifyouareover-engaged癡心女子負(fù)心郎aheart-devotedladymeetsaheartlessman;aheart-devotedladybutaheartlessman船到碼頭車到站aboatreachesitsharborandabusitsstation;onewhohascompletedhisworkwillretirelikeaboatreachingitsharbororabusreachingitsstation春雨貴如油thespringrainisasdearasvegetableoil;thespringrainisdearerthanoil聰明一世，糊涂一時intelligentforlifebutmuddledforamoment;confusedforthetimebeingforthatintelligentman打狗要看主人面whenyouarebeatingadog,youhavetotaketheownerintoconsideration;don’tbeatthedogfortheowner’ssake;loveme,lovemydog打人休打臉，罵人休揭短inbeatingaperson,don’tslaphisface,andincondemningaperson,don’tdisclosehisweakness;becarefulwithhisdignityincriticizingaperson;becarefulwiththeirdignityeveninconflictwithothers打是親，罵是愛beatingisaffectionandabusingislove;superficialbeatingandabusingrevealprofoundaffectionandtruelove打腫臉充胖子pretendingtobeafatmanbyslappinghisownfaceswollen;pretendingtobeawealthyman大人不記小人過manofhighpositiondon’tcareaboutthemistakeofapersonoflowerposition;manofdignitywillcertainlyforgiveahumbleman;broadmindedasyouare,youwon’ttakemymistakeintoheart大事化小，小事化了reducinggreattroubletosmall,andsmalltonothing實踐出真知，斗爭長才干genuineknowledgecomesfrompractice,struggleimprovesone’scompetence新來乍到，摸不著鍋灶anewcomerisn’tfamiliarwitheitherpotsorthekitchenrange;anewcomerhastofamiliarizehimselfbeforestartingwork不入虎穴，焉得虎子ifyoudon’tenterthetiger’slair,howcanyoucatchthecubs?youcan’tachievethegoalwithoutarisk當(dāng)家才知柴米貴，養(yǎng)兒才報父母恩youwon’thaveanyideaofthehighpricesforriceandfirewoodbeforerunningahouse,andyouwon’trepayyourparentsuntilyouhaveyourownsonsanddaughters;experienceteachestheyounghowtolive看花容易繡花難it’seasytoappreciatethantoembroider;youwon’tknowthedifficultyuntilyouareengagedinthework事大事小，人到便了whetheritmattersornot,yourcomingwilldrivethetroubleout初生牛犢不怕虎anewborncalfisn’tafraidofthetiger;ayoungsterisadaredevil吃一塹，長一智afallinpit,againinwit;experienceteaches腦越用越靈，手越用越巧thinkingimprovesone’sintelligenceandworkingone’sskills;workingimprovesone’sintelligenceandskills人不可貌相，海水不可斗量don’tjudgeamanbyhisappearanceanddon’tmeasuretheseawithadouorbucket;hemaybemorecapablethanhelooks;amanmayhavemorepotentialthanyouknow老馬識途anoldhorserecognizesthewayback;anoldhandisagoodguide生姜還是老的辣oldgingerprovesmorepungent;anoldhandhasmoreexperience無古不成今anymoderntimehasahistory;moderntimesarebasedonhistory舊的不去，新的不來ifyouwon’tdiscardtheoldarticle,howcanyougetthenewone?discardtheoldarticleandyou’llhavetogetanewone尺有所短，寸有所長onsomeoccasions,achi,consistingoftencun,mightproveshorterwhileacun,atenthofachi,mightprovelonger;thestrongermayhaveweaknesswhiletheweakermayhavestrength;theadvantageousmayhavedisadvantagewhilethedisadvantageousmayhaveadvantage不怕一萬，就怕萬一notafraidoftenthousandsbutafraidofaten-thousandth;alwayspreparedfortheunexpectedriskinamilliondoings;takeeverycarejustincase有利必有弊advantagesarenecessarilyaccompaniedbydisadvantages十個指頭有長短，荷花出水有高低outofthetenfingers,somearelongerthanothers,andsimilarly,oflotusflowers,somearehigherthanothers;differencesareonlytoonatural禍兮福所依，福兮禍所伏misfortunesmaypromisefortuneswhilefortunesmaypromisemisfortunes;fortuneormisfortunemayleadtotheopposite磨刀不誤砍柴工sharpeningyourknifewon’twasteyourtimeforcuttingyourfaggot;preparationmayquickentheprocess火爆玉米——開心則利用爆過的玉米，里面被炸開來的形象來比喻開心。另外，還有利用歧義的。對于不同的歇后語，在翻譯過程中，我們采取不同的處理方法。涉及諧音和歧義的，如果沒有現(xiàn)成的諧音和歧義譯文可資翻譯之需，我們就增加注解；涉及典故的，我們也增加注解。其他歇后語我們就采取先翻譯字面意義，后翻譯常用意義或適當(dāng)?shù)赜枰躁U釋的方法予以處理。下面我們選擇20個歇后語并按照上述原則對之進(jìn)行英譯。

門里出身——強(qiáng)人三分bornintoafamilyofaspecialline——moreadvantageousthanothersby30percent；amanwithspecializedtrainingisstrongerthanotherswithoutsuchbackgrounds鐵打的饅頭——一個硬似一個mantoumadeofiron——oneharderthananother；theyarelikesteamedbreadmadeofiron,oneisharder,morestubbornordeterminedthananother火爆玉米——開心ablastedcorngrain——openedatheartorhappyatheart;likeablastedcorngrainwithinsideout,thepersonconcernedisexhilarated八仙聚會——又說又笑agatheringofEightImmortals——speakingandlaughing;liketheEightImmortalsatagathering,theyaretalkingandlaughingmerrilyNote:TheEightImmortalsrefertotheeightTaoistsinaChineselegend,namely,HanZhongli,ZhangGuolao,LüDongbin,TieguaiLi,HanXiangzi,CaoGuojiu,LanCaiheandHeXiangu.王羲之寫字——橫豎都好acharacteroutofWangXizhi’shand——verticalstrokesareasgoodashorizontalones;likeWangXizhi’scalligraphy,itisgoodineverywayNote:WangXizhiwasafamousChinesecalligrapherandaChinesecharacterisusuallycomposedofstrokes,ofwhichtheverticalandhorizontalonesarethemostcommonlyused.Hengshuherehastwointerpretations:1)thehorizontalandverticalstrokes;2)horizontallyorvertically,thatis,inanyway.飯店里賣服裝——有吃有穿sellingclothesataninn——enoughtoeatandenoughtowear;likeadepartmentstorewithaninninit,thereisenoughtoeatandenoughtowear;inadepartmentstorewithaninninit,youwillhaveadecentliving李雙雙見到丈夫——有喜旺（希望）了LiShuangshuangseesherhusband——shehasXiwangnow;likeLiShuangshuangmeetingherhusbandXiwang,ahomophonefortheChinesewordxiwangmeaninghope,thereishopenowNote:TherewasafilmentitledLiShuangshuang,ofwhichtheheroisSunXiwang,whosegivennameisahomophoneforxiwang,meaninghopeinChinese,andtheheroineisLiShuangshuang,Xiwang’swife.井底雕花——深刻carvingaflowerdesignonthebottomofawell——carvingdeeplyorgettotheessenceofsomethingNote:theChinesewordshenkeisambiguousinthattheliteralmeaningofthewordmeanscarvingdeeplywhilethefigurativemeaningisprofoundorgettingtheessenceofsomething.運(yùn)動場上賽標(biāo)槍——寸土必爭throwingjavelinsonasportsground——striveforeveryinchoftheland;likethrowingjavelinsonasportsground,theyfightforeveryinchoflandNote:TheChinesewordcuntubizhengcanbeinterpretedambiguouslyinthatononehand,itcanbeinterpretedasstrivingforeveryinchoflandonthesportsfieldbutontheother,itcanbeinterpretedasstrivingforeveryinchoflandinabattleorstrivingforanybenefitinastruggleorbusinessconfrontation.長工吃犒勞——難得的好處hiredhandsenjoyingrewardedfoodanddrinks——anunusualprivilege;likerewardedfoodanddrinksofferedtohiredhands,itisanunusualprivilege王小二過年——一年不