英漢互譯中的諺語巧合（2）

Corresponding English and Chinese proverbs and phrases(2)

1.World is but a little place, after all.

天涯原咫尺，到處可逢君

Explanation: it is used when a person meets someone he knows or is in

someway connected with him in a place where he would never have expected to

do so.

Example: Who would have thought I would bump into an old schoolmate on a

trek up Mount Tai. The world is but a little place after all.

2. When in Rome, do as the Romans do.

入鄉(xiāng)隨俗

Explanation: conform to the manners and customs of those amongst whom you

live.

Example: I know you have egg and bacon for breakfast at home, but now you

are on the Continent you will do as the Romans do and take coffee and rolls.

3. What you lose on the swings you get back on the roundabouts.

失之東隅，收之桑榆

Explanation: a rough way of starting a law of average; if you have bad luck

on one day you have good on another; if one venture results in loss try a

fresh one---it may succeed.

Example: he may always possess merits which make up for everything; if he

loses on the swings, he may win on the roundabouts.

4.What are the odds so long as you are happy.

知足者常樂

Explanation: what does anything else matter if a person is happy.

Example: you complain so much, but you have a good family, parents, health,

and money. What’s the odd so long as you’re happy.

5.Entertain an angel unawares.

有眼不識泰山

Explanation: to receive a great personage as a guest without knowing his

merits.

Example: in the course of evening someone informed her that she was

entertaining an angel unawares, in the shape of a composer of the greatest

promise

6.every dog has his day .

是人皆有出頭日

Explanation: fortune comes to each in turn

Example: they say that every dog has his day; but mine seems a very long

time coming.

7.every potter praises his own pot.

王婆買瓜，自賣自夸

Explanation: people are loath to refer to defects in their possessions or

their family members

Example: he said that his teacher considered his work brilliant, but I would

rather hear it from his teacher’s own mouth. Every potter praises his own

pot

Now come on! Have a try.試著翻譯一下下面幾個諺語!

hit the nail on the head

have an iron hand in a velvet glove

great minds think alike

good wine needs no bush

Give him enough rope and he will hang himself.

Evil does not always come to injure.

A fool may give a wise man counsel.