1."百里挑一"这是一句很简单的话,来看看你会不会犯中国式英语的错误吧。用英语应该怎么说呢?
Chinese Style -- one in a hundred
American Style -- one in a thousand
“百里挑一”常被用来形容“很特别,很出众”或“与众不同”,one in a thousand 也有相同的含义。但值得注意的是,汉语用“百”,而英语则以十倍于百的 thousand 来夸张。同样,汉语的“十分感谢”或“万分感谢”,英语则说 a thousand thanks(千分感谢)或 thanks a million times(百万次的感谢)。可见,英语比汉语要夸张。这也许反映了两个民族不同的思维方式:中国人崇尚中庸之道,凡事避免走极端,即使夸大其词也不太过火;而英美人追求标新立异和充分考虑表现自我,这在语言中自然也有体现。
2."这里是什么地方?"这是一句很简单的话,来看看你会不会犯中国式英语的错误吧。用英语应该怎么说呢?
Chinese Style --Where is here ?
American Style -- Where am I /are we ?
3.请勿践踏草坪
Chinese Style --Don&`&t trample/(tromp) on the lawn.Don’t step on the grass.
American Style -- Keep off the grass.
4.走着瞧
Chinese Style --go and look
American Style--wait and see/ Let’s wait and see.
5.“我明天有事情要做。”
Chinese Style -- I have something to do tomorrow.
American Style -- I am tied up/busy all day tomorrow.
用I have something to do来表示你很忙,这是比较中国式的说法。虽然有时我也能听到老外说。比如有人要你帮忙做某事,可以说I am so sorry that I have something else to do now.因为每时每刻我们都有事情要做,躺在那里睡大觉也是事情。所以你可以说我很忙,脱不开身:I am tied up.还有其他的说法: I can’t make it at that time. I’d love to, but I can’t, I have to stay at home.
6.他俩好得能穿一条裤子
Chinese Style -- They are so close as if they could wear the same trousers.
American Style -- They are hand in glove.
中国人的这一表达在西方人看来简直是莫名其妙,他们相应的说法是像手在手套里一样亲密无间。