写作中式英语

The English Learner’s Guide to Chinglish

——中式英语之鉴

1. 老人很喜欢这个嘴甜的小姑娘。

●[误] The old lady likes this sweet-mouthed little girl very much.

●[正] The old lady likes this honey-lipped little girl very much.

2. 人都是这山望着那山高，对自己的现状没有满意的时候。

●[误] Almost all people think that the other mountain is higher than the one he's

standing on. They never feel satisfied with what they've already got.

●[正] Almost all people think that the grass is greener on the other hill. They never

feel satisfied with what they've already got.

3. 北京申奥成功的消息令我们热血沸腾。

●[误] Beijing's winning the bid for the Olympics makes our blood boil.

●[正] Beijing's winning the bid for the Olympics makes us excited.

4. 别听他们胡说八道，根本就没那回事。

●[误] Don't listen to their babbling. Nothing of the sort.

●[正] Don't be fooled by their babbling. Nothing of the sort.

5. 别看别人不把她当回事，在家里她可是父亲的掌上明珠。

●[误] Although other people never take her seriously, she is the pearl on her

father's hand at home.

●[正] Although other people never take her seriously, she is the apple of her

father's eye at home.

6. 我唯一的资本就是勤奋。

●[误] My only capital is diligence.

●[正] My only means to success is diligence.

7. 大家都怀疑汤姆是个间谍。

●[误] Everyone doubts that Tom is a spy.

●[正] Everyone suspects that T om is a spy.

8. 我希望你不要拖我的后腿。

●[误] I hope that you won't pull my leg.

●[正] I hope that you won't hold me back.

9. 学校里，那些长得人高马大的家伙常来找我的麻烦。

●[误] At school, those big and strong guys always come to find my trouble.

●[正] At school, those big and strong guys always come to pick on me.

10. 最近的人口统计显示中国人口已超过14亿。

●[误] The latest census shows that China's population has surpassed 1.4 billion.

●[正] The latest census shows that China's population exceeds 1.4 billion.

11. 每次考试来临的时候，约翰就变成了一只夜猫子，但这并不是一个好的学习方法。

●[误] John becomes a night cat every time the examination is coming. However,

this is not a good way to learn.

●[正] John becomes a night owl every time the examination is coming. However,

this is not a good way to learn.

12. 现如今，由于出国深造的人越来越多，“海归派”也不像原来那样吃香了。

●[误] Nowadays as more and more people study abroad, the overseas students are

not so popular as before.

●[正] Nowadays as more and more people study abroad, the returnees/returned

overseas Chinese are not so popular as before.

13. 比尔.盖茨平均每天工作15个小时，他简直就是一个工作狂。

●[误] Bill Gates works 15 hours a day on average, and he is crazy about his work.

●[正] Bill Gates works 15 hours a day on average, and he is a workaholic.

14. 哈罗得挥金如土，没有一点积蓄。

●[误] Harold spends money like dirt, and has no savings.

●[正] Harold spends money like water, and has no savings.

15. 这个任务很危险，但总得有人去冒险。

●[误] The task is really dangerous. But someone has to take the adventure.

●[正] The task is really dangerous. But someone has to bell the cat.

16. 嘿，小伙子，千万别灰心。

●[误] Hey, lad, don't lose your heart.

●[正] Hey, lad, don't lose heart.