期中考试翻译练习

1.如果一定要找一个能够代表中国的东西，龙（loong）可能会最先出现在你的脑海里。龙这种神秘的生物深深植根于中国文化中，我们中国人经常称自己为“龙的传人”，父母们也都“望子成龙”。在古代，龙还是皇权的象征，皇帝们都认为自己是真龙天子。古人还把龙当作主管降雨的神，它决定下雨的时间和地点。我们中国人认为龙会带来富贵和好运。

If we must find a thing to symbolize China, long will probably pop into your mind first. Loong, the mythical creature, is deeply rooted in Chinese culture. We Chinese often consider ourselves “the descendants of Loong.” And all the parents hope that their children “may become loongs (hope one’s children will have a bright future)”. In ancient times, loong is a symbol of imperial power. All the emperors thought they were “real loongs and the sons of the heaven”. Our forefathers looked upon loong as the god to govern rainfall, and they decide where and when the rain falls. We Chinese believe loong can bring wealth, rank and fortune.

2.春节是中国最重要，也是最热闹的古老节日之一。春节象征着团结、兴旺以及对未来寄予新的希望。句记载，中国人过春节已有四千多年的历史。中国是个多民族的国家，各民族（nationality）过春节的形式各有不同，但是无论在中国的哪个地方，人们都会在春节期间全家团圆，吃年糕(New Year cake)、饺子以及各种丰盛的饭菜。人们张灯结彩，燃放鞭炮，并互相祝福。

In China, the Spring Festival is one of the most significant and ancient festivals. It symbolizes unity, prosperity and new hopes for the future. It is recorded that the custom of celebrating the Spring Festival has lasted for more than 4, 000 years. As a multi-ethnic country, different nationalities in China have various ways of celebrating the Spring Festival. However, wherever in China, people will have a family reunion during the festival, eating New Year cakes, dumplings and various hearty meals, decorating the houses with lanterns and festoons, setting off firecrackers and blessing each other.

3. 清明是我国二十四节气(the twenty-four solar terms) 之一，一般是在每年的4月4日至6日前后。人们庆祝清明节大约始于东周时代，距今已有两千五百多年的历史。清明过后，气温逐渐上升，雨水也增多，表明了这是农民开始安排农耕活动的关键时期。同时，清明也是郊游的大好时节，人们去户外踏青，并开展一系列消遣和体育活动。更重要的是，清明时节也是一个纪念祖先和已故亲人的日子。

Qingming is one of the twenty-four solar terms in China, typically falling on April 4-6 each year. The celebration for the Qingming Festival can be traced back to the Eastern Zhou Dynasty, with a history of over 2,500 years. After Qingming time, the temperature begins to rise up and rainfall increases, indicating that it is the crucial time for the farmers to arrange their farming activities accordingly. Meanwhile, it is the high time for spring outing, when people go out for fresh air, kinds of recreations and sports activities. More importantly, Qingming is also a period to honour and to pay respect to one’s deceased ancestors and family members.

4. 中国人和红色

中国人很喜欢红色，甚至称自己为“赤子”。红色在中国象征着权力和喜庆。很多朝代的官服是红色的；在清代，官帽上深浅不同的红色代表了不同的官位。公文的标题通常也用红色，这就是它们被称为“红头文件(red-head documents) ”的原因。另外，用于婚礼的双喜字是红色的。春节期间，老人们也会给孩子们发红包，当作新年的礼物盒祝福。

Chinese and the Color of Red

We Chinese like the color of red, and even we call ourselves as Chizi, which means a patriot. In China, red represents the power and happiness. Official robes of many dynasties were red. In the Qing Dynasty, different shades of red on the official cabs showed different rankings. Headlines of official documents are often printed in red. For that reason, it’s called “red-head documents”. In addition, the Chinese characte r signifying double happiness used for weddings is red. During the Spring Festival, elder people will give Hongbao (money in a red envelope) to the children as gifts and wishes for the new year.

5. 京剧(Peking Opera) 已有200多年的历史，是中国的国剧。与其他地方戏相比，京剧享有更高的声誉，但其实京剧融合了多种地方戏的元素。京剧演员的脸谱(facial makeup) 和戏服都很精美，相形之下布景则显得十分简单。京剧表演者主要应用四种技能：唱、念、做、打。在古代，京剧大多数是在户外演出的，因此演员们形成了一种极具穿透力的唱腔，以便每个人都能听到。

Peking Opera, as the national opera of China, has a history of more than 200 years. Compared with other Chinese local operas, Peking Opera enjoys a higher reputation; but actually it absorbs many elements of other local operas. The facial makeups and costumes of the performances are usually very delicate; by contrast, the backdrops are quite plain. During the performance, the performers mainly utilize four skills: singing, speaking, acting and acrobatic fighting. In ancient times, Peking Opera was mostly performed in the open air, so the performers developed a piercing style of singing that could be heard by everyone.

6. 筷子(chopsticks) 是中国古人发明的一种具有鲜明民族特色的进食工具(tableware)，是反映中国饮食文化特色的重要组成部分。中国人使用筷子的历史可追溯到商代，距今已有三千多年。筷子可谓是中国国粹，既轻巧又灵活，在世界各国餐具中独树一帜，被西方人誉为“东方的文明”。凡是使用过筷子的人，不论是中国人还是外国人，都因其使用方便、物美价廉而赞叹不绝。Chopsticks, invented by ancient Chinese people, are a kind of tableware with distinct national features, being an important component that reflects the characteristics of Chinese diet culture. The history of using chopsticks in China dates back to the Shang Dynasty, more than 3,000 years ago. Chopsticks, the quintessence of Chinese culture, whose lightness and flexibility develop a school of its own among various tableware all over the world, are praised as “Eastern Civilization” by the westerners. All those people who have ever used chopsticks, no matter Chinese or foreigners, marvel at their convenience, excellent quality and reasonable price,