——「中英對照」語相關(四之一)
文字、語言反映心聲,各地的文化和習俗雖有異,但人性的表現,以至對事物的感應,卻往往會有相同。故此,表達的詞彙亦有類似。
讓我提供一些例子,可能啟發大家也想出別的,予以共享。
1. To be easier said and done
知易行難
2. To be good for nothing
一無是處
3. To be Jack of all trades
萬能泰斗、萬事通
4. To be too good to be true
難以置信
5 To box with shadows
杯弓蛇影
6 To bring coals to Newcastle
錦上添花
7. To burn one's boats (or bridges)
破釜沉舟
8. To call a spade a spade
直話直說
9. To cry one's heart out
哭至肝腸寸斷
10. To eat one's word食言
11. To give lip service
口惠而實不至
12. To go without saying
不言而喻
13. To have one's ears burn
眼眉跳
14. To have one's fling
為所欲為
15. To have the tables turned
世界輪流轉
16. To kill two birds with one stone
一矢貫雙鵰,一舉兩得
尚有一系列,容後再談吧。 ■余黎青萍 前教育署署長
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