成語、諺語、歇后語、俗語

1、1.習語翻譯中的文化信息處理 從 廣 義 上 講 ， 習 慣 用 語 通 常 包 括 成 語（idioms）、短語（set phrases）、諺語（proverbs）、格言（sayings）、俗語（colloquialisms）、警句（epigrams）、名言錄(quotations)、典故（allusions）、俚語（slang）、歇后語（two-part sayings）等。一習語具有較強的文化特一習語具有較強的文化特征和民族特征征和民族特征。 在眾多的習語中，我們發(fā)現(xiàn)，自然現(xiàn)象是人類認識世界的共同認知對象。 趁熱打鐵趁熱打鐵 to strike while the iron is hot

2、; 渾水摸魚渾水摸魚 to fish in the troubled water; 如坐針氈 to sit on pins and needles。 英語習語 a thunder of applause 雷鳴般的掌聲 at lightning speed 以迅雷不及掩耳之勢 His eyes were raining tears. 他淚如雨下。 漢語習語：天壤之別天壤之別 great difference as between heaven and earth (英語中類似的比喻是all difference in the world) 杞人憂天杞人憂天 to entertain ground

3、less fears or unnecessary worries (英語中類似的比喻是 be more frightened than hurt) 水中撈月水中撈月 to catch the moon in the water 或 to make an impractical attempt (英語中類似的比喻是 fish in the air; cry for the moon; plough the sands; a wild goose chase)“知人知面不知心知人知面不知心” 楊憲益采用直譯的方法，譯成“You can know a mans face but not his h

4、eart.” 霍克斯則采用意譯的手法，將這一習語的內(nèi)在意義直接譯出來; “Appearances certainly are deceptive!” “胸有成竹胸有成竹”（Before an artist can draw a bamboo, he must have the image in his mind. 意為 To have a well-thought-out plan before doing something）；“雨后春筍雨后春筍”（To spring up like bamboo shoots after a spring rain. 意為 Of new things em

5、erging rapidly in large numbers）； 二習慣用語翻譯中如何保二習慣用語翻譯中如何保證文化信息傳遞的有效度證文化信息傳遞的有效度 由于英漢不同的民族文化背景，英漢習語各自行成了鮮明的形象特征，翻譯時應力求達義傳神、形神兼?zhèn)?。在實在不可能“形似”時要在“神似”的條件下，竭力用其他方法和手段表現(xiàn)出原喻體意之真諦，美之內(nèi)涵。依據(jù)這一原則，可采用以下方法：一. 保留原形象，以直譯和異化為主 1Every family is said to have at least one skeleton in the cupboard. 俗話說，衣柜里面藏骷髏，見不得人的事家家有。 2

6、“謀事在人，成事在天?！痹蹅冎\到了，靠菩薩的保佑，有些機會，也可未知。(紅樓夢) Man proposes, heaven disposes. Work out a plan, trust to Buddha, and something may come of it for all you know. 3他們愚弄過我們，我們要以其人之道還治其人之身。（茅盾，子夜） We will pay them back for the trick they played on us. 4. “君子動口不動手！”阿Q歪著頭說。（阿Q正傳） 譯文A: “A gentleman uses his tongue

7、 but not his hands!” protested Ah Q, his head on one side. (楊憲益譯) 譯文B: “The superior man moves only his mouth and not his hand!” shouted Ah Q, with his head twisted to one side. (香港版本譯文) 這件事，除了他三兒子和幾個經(jīng)手的人以外，誰也不知道。他也不對任何人提起。啞巴吃黃連，有苦說不出。（歇后語，選自周而復的上海的早晨） No one knew of these transactions apart from hi

8、s youngest son and the few people who had handled them, nor was he going to mention the matter to anyone else. He was like the dumb eating the bitter herb: he had to suffer the bitterness of it in silence. 中國有句老話：“瓜熟蒂落”，“水到渠成”。（毛澤東選集） As the old Chinese sayings go, “When a melon is ripe, it falls of

9、f its stem,” and “when water flows, a channel is formed.” 寶玉笑道：“我就是個多愁多病的身，你就是那 傾國傾城的貌?！保t樓夢） “Im the one sick with longing” he joked. “And yours is the beauty which caused cities and kingdoms to fall.” （二）轉(zhuǎn)換形象，使之歸化 當差異的存在不利于理解，而譯入語里恰有相對應的固有習語，這時可用符合譯入語習慣，且能引起讀者同樣聯(lián)想、同樣情感的習語來替換，這也叫歸化。 這時委員忽然打發(fā)人來叫他，他覺

10、得這正是個一舉兩得的機會，一來能給李如珍賠個人情，二來能高攀一下委員。 （趙樹理，李家莊的變遷） Now this unexpected summons seemed an opportunity to kill two birds with one stone: first he could apologize to Li, and secondly he could see the official. (楊憲益譯) “木已成舟罷！好在這個弟子會讀書?！?（李六如，六十年變遷） “Whats been done cant be undone! Its a good thing though,

11、 this boy studies well.”5.今既入了這園，再遇湘云，香菱、芳、蕊一干女子，所謂“人以類聚，物以群分 ”，二語不錯。 （紅樓夢） Coming here now and meeting Hsiang-yun, Hsiang-ling, Fang-kuan, Jui-kuan and the other girls, it was a genuine case “l(fā)ike attracts like” or “birds of a feather flock together.” 8.他向來是慣叫農(nóng)民來鉆他的圈套的，真不料這回演了一套“請君入甕”的把戲。（子夜） He ha

12、d become so used to setting traps for peasants all these years that it came as rather a shock to him to find he had walked into a snare himself. （三）放棄原形象意譯，達到功能對等 如果原習語的形象既不能保留，又沒有合適的替換，如果原習語的形象既不能保留，又沒有合適的替換，那就只能放棄原形象，采用意譯的辦法那就只能放棄原形象，采用意譯的辦法 1而且這規(guī)則是不像現(xiàn)在那樣朝三暮四的。 And these rules, unlike those we hav

13、e today, do not change all the time. 2他這一陣心頭如同十五個吊桶打水，七上八下，老是寧靜不下來。 His mind was in a turmoil these days and he was quite unable to think straight. 3方案一公布，大家就七嘴八舌地議論開了。 Publication of the draft plan touched off a lively discussion, with everybody eager to put in a word. ：三心二意 in/of two minds; 一五一十 i

14、n great detail; 不管三七二十一 regardless of the consequences; 三令五申 to have repeatedly issued orders and given warnings; 三頭六臂 a person of inexhaustible resources; 三長兩短 unexpected misfortune or accident 6.后來出嫁了，兩個人還藕斷絲連，這只能怪包辦婚姻，不能怪她。（周立波，山鄉(xiāng)巨變 and after she was married they still kept it up. The arranged ma

15、rriage was the cause of this; she cant be blamed. 8.“再試紡，頂多忙一陣子，過了幾天，還不是外甥打燈籠找舅（照舊）。”（周而復，上海的早晨） “And if were now going to have a check spinning, itll only mean that well be busier than ever for a spell and then after a few days things will be back to what they were before.” 漢語成語、典故、俗語、諺語和歇后語英譯。 成語、

16、典故基本上是書面語言，俗語、諺語和歇后語基本上是口頭語言。 成語作為短語或詞組在句中可擔任一定成分，如主語、謂語（包括能愿合成謂語、判斷合成謂語、兼語句謂語、連動句謂語等）、賓語（包括介詞賓語）、定語、狀語、補語和獨立成分等，還可以分句的形式存在。 從結(jié)構(gòu)上看，成語可分為聯(lián)合式、動賓式、主謂式、偏正式、連動式、兼語式、緊縮式等，如山盟海誓（聯(lián)合式）、為所欲為（動賓式）、盛氣凌人（主謂式）、泰然自若（偏正式）、投筆從戎（連動式）、引狼入室（兼語式）和膾炙人口（緊縮式）（倪寶元，1984）。中思維方式：形象思維，中思維方式：形象思維， 直觀，直觀， 語言具體生動語言具體生動笨鳥先飛， 敝帚自珍，遍

17、體鱗傷，滴水不漏， 鳳刀霜劍，見風使舵，順水推舟，芒刺在背，趨之若鶩重視歷史，重視歷史， 看重對前人思想和文化的代代傳承，有大量的歷史典看重對前人思想和文化的代代傳承，有大量的歷史典故和民間傳說故和民間傳說司空見慣，問鼎中原，單刀赴會，塞翁失馬，伯樂相馬，邯鄲學步，沉魚落雁，一枕黃粱， 此地無銀三百兩，不為五斗米折腰， 成也蕭何，敗也蕭何。以和諧，對稱為美，結(jié)構(gòu)對等，音韻協(xié)調(diào)以和諧，對稱為美，結(jié)構(gòu)對等，音韻協(xié)調(diào)春花秋月，山明水秀，龍騰虎躍，歡天喜地，豐衣足食，日積月累，風風雨雨，三三兩兩，熙熙攘攘，雙宿雙飛，云里霧里，心服口服粗枝大葉 thick branches and large leav

18、es; (in doing things,) do not take due care; careless or carelessly 粗枝大葉為聯(lián)合結(jié)構(gòu)，字面意義是，枝子很粗，葉子很大，很不精細。通常當馬虎大意和粗心大意使用。聞所未聞 hearing what has never been heard before; rarely or seldom heard of聞所未聞為動賓結(jié)構(gòu)，字面意義是聽到了從未聽到過的，通常用于指事理或論述的新鮮、奇特。 盛氣凌人 so arrogant as to impose oneself upon others; arrogant or domineer

19、ing in manner盛氣凌人為主謂結(jié)構(gòu)，字面意義是驕橫傲慢以氣勢壓人，通常與不可一世、咄咄逼人等詞語同義。 洋洋得意 extremely pleased as to be too proud; pleased and too proud; pleased to the extent of being too proud 洋洋得意也可以說成得意洋洋。洋洋得意是偏正結(jié)構(gòu)，洋洋修飾得意；得意洋洋也是偏正結(jié)構(gòu)，具體地說是動補結(jié)構(gòu)，但依然是洋洋修飾得意。字面意義是滿意到了驕傲的地步，得意到溢于言表。 小心翼翼 particularly careful, extremely cautious 小心翼

20、翼為偏正結(jié)構(gòu)，翼翼用做補語修飾小心。翼翼的字面意義是多多，小心翼翼的字面意義是小心多多，使用時的意義為非常小心、特別謹慎，幾乎有點過分。 見異思遷 change ones mind upon seeing something new; be inconsistent in inclination見異思遷是連動結(jié)構(gòu)，字面意義是見到了不同的東西就想丟掉原來的，換上那個不同的。主要用于描寫人們?nèi)菀赘淖冎饕猓矏鄄粔驅(qū)Ｒ?，有時用于描寫男的喜新厭舊，見到了不同于妻子的女人就想“換片子”，當然也可以用來描寫這樣的女性。 剜肉補瘡 cut flesh to patch an ulcerate; take s

21、hort-term measures to do something which requires long-term measures to be taken; to pull through a light crisis or solve a problem at the expenses of the future剜肉補瘡為連動結(jié)構(gòu)，剜肉的目的是為了補瘡。字面意義是，某人生了瘡，為治療這個瘡竟然將自己的好肉割下來補上因生瘡而爛掉的那塊壞肉。人們通常用它來表達這樣的意思：為了救眼前之急，竟然犧牲未來。 調(diào)虎離山 lure the tiger so that it will leave th

22、e mountain where it lives; lure somebody to leave his advantageous location so as to overwhelm him調(diào)虎離山是兼語結(jié)構(gòu)，字面意義是，想辦法引誘老虎使它離開它所生活的山，因而使其失去地理優(yōu)勢，以便戰(zhàn)勝老虎。此成語多用于指稱戰(zhàn)爭策略。戰(zhàn)爭中，一方占據(jù)地理優(yōu)勢，另一方為了改變這種局面，故意引誘它離開占據(jù)優(yōu)勢的地方，以便使其失去優(yōu)勢進而戰(zhàn)而勝之。 膾炙人口 sliced and roast meat is pleasant to everybodys taste; poems and pieces of p

23、rose are so excellent as to please every reader膾炙人口中，膾是切成精細的小片的魚肉或肉，炙是烤肉。膾炙人口為緊縮結(jié)構(gòu)，字面意義是，好吃的東西人人都愛吃，多用于比喻好的詩文令大家賞心悅目。 昂首闊步 march with head raised stiffly; stride proudly ahead昂首闊步為聯(lián)合結(jié)構(gòu)，字面意義為，昂著頭大踏步向前邁進。用時多有意氣風發(fā)、斗志昂揚的意思，有時略有態(tài)度高傲的意思。 半途而廢 stop halfway; give up halfway半途而廢為偏正結(jié)構(gòu)，字面意義是，走到半路上就不走了，用時多比喻做事干

24、到一半就放棄了，含有惋惜甚至責備的意思。 不學無術(shù) one is not skilled with anything due to the fact that he does not study well; be incompetent due to ones ignorance; incompetent and ignorant不學無術(shù)為聯(lián)合結(jié)構(gòu)，不學和無術(shù)間既可理解為并列關(guān)系，也可理解為因果關(guān)系。因此字面意義為，由于不學習而沒有本領，也可以理解為，既沒有學問也沒有本領。用于他人多含貶義，用于自己多表自謙。 觸類旁通 knowledge of an example enables one t

25、o understand the relevant category; comprehend something by analogy; understand things of a kind upon touching an example觸類旁通為連動結(jié)構(gòu)，含有如果觸類了就可以旁通的因果意義，因此，本義是接觸到某一類知識，就懂得了類似的或相關(guān)的知識。用時多用本義。 奮不顧身 (in charging the enemy or accomplishing a risky task,) pay no attention to ones life security; regardless of

26、ones security or life奮不顧身為偏正結(jié)構(gòu)，意思為勇往直前到不顧個人安危的地步，用時多用本義。 泰然處之 behavior with composure; not slightly affected 泰然處之為偏正結(jié)構(gòu)，意思為遇到事情能冷靜對待，用時多用本義。有時也用泰然自若。 想入非非 indulge in fantasy; be unrealistic or illusory 想入非非為主謂結(jié)構(gòu)，意思是思考問題時想法不符合實際，用時多用本義。 心懷叵測 harbor evil intentions at heart that are not predictable; il

27、l-intentioned 心懷叵測為主謂結(jié)構(gòu)，意思是心中懷著難以估測的歹意，用時多用本義。另一種說法為居心叵測。 無地自容 feel so ashamed as to find no place to hide oneself in; feel too ashamed to see others 無地自容為連動結(jié)構(gòu)，本意是因做錯了事而羞愧到了極點，羞于見人卻又找不到藏身的地方，用時多用本義。 忠心耿耿 be whole-heartedly loyal; be extremely loyal忠心耿耿為主謂結(jié)構(gòu)，意思是非常忠誠，用時多用本義。 自慚形穢 be ashamed of ones in

28、ferior appearance; feel inferior自慚形穢為主謂結(jié)構(gòu)，本意是因看到自己的容貌舉止不如別人而感到慚愧，現(xiàn)在通常使用的意思是因感到自己不如別人而非常慚愧。 漢語典故英譯 現(xiàn)代漢語詞典將典故定義為“詩文里引用的古書中的故事或詞句”。 辭海將典故定義為“詩文中引用的古代故事和有來歷出處的詞語”。 概而言之，典故多源于歷史、寓言、神話、傳說和事件，多見于歷史記載、文學作品和報刊雜志。例如，焚書坑儒源于歷史事件，買櫝還珠源于寓言，精衛(wèi)填海源于神話，伊朗門源于當代事件等。這些典故，有的見于歷史記載，有的見于諸子百家，有的見于現(xiàn)代報刊。百步穿楊 典出戰(zhàn)國策.西周策，有關(guān)情節(jié)可大致

29、簡述如下。楚國有個叫養(yǎng)由基的，十分善射，在百步之外能射中楊柳的葉子，百發(fā)百中。后來用百步穿楊來形容人們善射。 To shoot an arrow through a willow leaf at the distance of 100 steps; extremely good at shooting Note: The allusion goes back to Yang Youji, an excellent shooter in the Zhou Dynasty, who could shoot an arrow at a willow leaf one hundred steps aw

30、ay and never missed the target. 班女之才 典出后漢書.列女傳，有關(guān)情節(jié)可大致簡述如下。班女名班昭，班彪之妹。班彪編著漢書，剩下八表和天文志沒有寫完就去世了。班昭接替其兄，完成了他的未竟之業(yè)，她還是皇后與貴人的老師，被認為是極富才學的女性。班女之才多用于描寫才高的女性。(of a female) as capable as Ban Zhao; talented Note: Historic records have it that Ban N, whose name is Ban Zhao, the younger sister of Ban Biao, a hi

31、storian famous for his monumental work of A History of the Han Dynasty. However, the historian died leaving the writing unfinished. Then Ban Zhao was assigned the task and completed the writing. For her talent, Ban Zhao was also appointed tutor for the empress and the emperors concubines. 伯樂相馬 典出屈原懷

32、沙，有關(guān)情況可大致簡述如下。伯樂姓孫名陽，善于相馬。后來經(jīng)常用伯樂比喻善于發(fā)現(xiàn)人才的人。 Bo Le is very capable of discovering best horses; as capable as Bo Le in discovering talents Note: Qu Yuan, a famous Chinese poet of the State of Chu in the Warring State period, believed it that Bo Le was very capable of discovering best horses. The allu

33、sion is now often used to refer to persons capable of discovering and fostering talents. 東施效顰 典出莊子.天運，有關(guān)情節(jié)可大致簡述如下。古代著名美女西施因患有心痛病，經(jīng)常顰額或者說皺眉頭。村里有個丑女看見覺得很美，于是也學著顰額，結(jié)果反而更丑了。后來多用東施效顰比喻胡亂模仿，結(jié)果反而不美。 An ugly girl follows the suit of the pretty lady Xishi by knitting her eyebrows; imitate awkwardly Note: Leg

34、end has it that Xi Shi, a lady living in the State of Yue in the late years of Spring and Autumn period and famous for her beauty in ancient China, often knitted her eyebrows due to her illness. An ugly girl in the village saw this, believing that the behavior added much to her beauty. Then she foll

35、owed Xi Shis suit by knitting her own brows the way Xi Shi did. However, it turned out that she became all the more ugly. 董狐直筆 典出左傳.宣公二年，有關(guān)情節(jié)可大致簡述如下。春秋時晉靈公欲殺趙盾，趙盾逃亡。他的從弟趙穿起兵攻打晉靈公并在桃園將他殺死。史官董狐認為，此舉是趙盾弒君，并不畏趙盾的權(quán)勢，冒著生命危險將這件事載入了史冊。后來多用此典比喻人們不為權(quán)者諱、不為賢者諱，在史冊或其他書籍中，實事求是地記載或談論他們的過失。 Dong Hu, a historian in

36、Spring and Autumn period, recorded historic facts as they were without any distortion to appease officials for their vanity; (in recording historic events) call a spade a spade as Dong Hu did Note: Historic records have it that during the Spring and Autumn period, when Duke Ling of Jin was going to

37、kill Zhao Dun, who then escaped by running away, Zhao Duns distant brother Zhao Chuan took armed forces to attack the duke and killed him in a peach garden. Dong Hu, the historian, believed that it was an act of regicide on the part of Zhao Dun and recorded the act in history this way despite Zhao D

38、uns overwhelming power that might threaten his life. The allusion is later used to refer to speaking frankly. 負荊請罪 典出史記.廉頗藺相如列傳，有關(guān)情節(jié)可大致簡述如下。廉頗和藺相如都是趙國人，廉頗是趙國大將，藺相如出身低微，但在對秦國的斗爭中多次建立功勛，被拜為上卿，官位高于廉頗。廉頗不服，屢屢找茬子羞辱藺相如。藺相如為國家計，顧全大局，總是退讓。后來廉頗知道了，藺相如屢屢退讓，不是怕他，而是擔心將相不和，秦國會乘機侵略趙國。那樣，趙國就會滅亡，老百姓就會遭殃。此事感動了廉頗，于是他

39、身背荊杖到藺相如府上請罪。后來多用此典指犯了錯誤又主動承認錯誤、改正錯誤的舉動。To make apology by carrying a twig of the chaste tree and asking the one to whom the apology is made to beat him or her; making an active apologyNote: Historic records have it that Lian Po and Ling Xiangru were courtiers of the State of Zhao. Lian Po was the f

40、amous general at the time. Born humbly, Ling Xiangru was promoted to the position higher than Lian Pos for his outstanding contributions in the struggles against the State of Qin. This made Lian Po jealous and tried to slight Ling Xiangru, who thought that if he and Lian Po were in discord or confli

41、ct, then the State of Qin would take the opportunity to invade the State of Zhao. Therefore, Ling Xiangru always tried to avoid any possible conflict with the general. Having learned of this, Lian Po realized that he was wrong and went to Ling Xiangrus mansion to make apology by carrying a twig and

42、asking Ling Xiangru to beat him for his wrong doings. 風聲鶴唳 典出晉書.苻堅載記。這個典故也常常說成風聲鶴唳，草木皆兵。有關(guān)情節(jié)可大致簡述如下。東晉時期，國家分裂，南北對峙，北方的前秦主苻堅率兵攻打南方的東晉，結(jié)果被東晉打得慘敗而歸。苻堅等人站在城樓上觀望對方，見東晉軍容整齊，將八公山上的草木也當成晉軍。此前，在淝水被擊敗而逃亡之時，將風聲與鶴聲也當成了追兵的吶喊聲。淝水之戰(zhàn)是我國歷史上有名的以少勝多的戰(zhàn)例，后來常用風聲鶴唳或風聲鶴唳，草木皆兵來形容人們由于非常害怕，便捕風捉影，將不是那回事也當成那回事了。 To take the moa

43、n of wind and the cry of cranes for enemys shouting; fearful at any slight omen; very apprehensive Note: Historic records have it that when Qian Qin, a state on the north, was utterly defeated by Dong Jin, a state on the south, on their way of escaping, Qian Qins generals and soldiers took the moan

44、of wind and the cry of cranes for enemys shouting, and grass and trees for enemys chasing forces. This allusion is now used to refer to peoples groundless fears. 邯鄲學步 典出莊子.秋水，有關(guān)情節(jié)可大致簡述如下。古代燕國有一個少年看到邯鄲人走路姿態(tài)很優(yōu)美，就學他們的樣子走路，結(jié)果沒有學會，反而將自己原來的走路方法也忘了，只好爬著回去。后來用這個典故形容人們盲目地模仿他人，結(jié)果反而弄糟了。 To walk as people of Ha

45、ndan do; to imitate awkwardly Note: Legend has it that a youngster from the State of Yan saw that the Handans walk was very graceful and then tried to acquire the walking manner but only to find that he did not learn anything at all and had forgotten how he originally walked. Therefore, he had to cr

46、awl all the way back home. The allusion is now used to ridicule those who imitate blindly. 驚弓之鳥 典出戰(zhàn)國策.楚策四，有關(guān)情節(jié)可大致簡述如下。有一天，更羸和魏王在一起，看見有一只鳥從天空飛過。更羸對魏王說，我將弓拉開，不搭箭虛射出去，鳥會應聲而落。魏王不信。更羸果然拉虛弓而使飛鳥落地。其實，那是一只受了傷的鳥，聽到弓弦響就嚇得墜落下來。后來用這個典故形容人遭受打擊后，心理非常脆弱，常產(chǎn)生不必要的恐慌。 A bird that fell down at the sound of an arrowless

47、 shooting; a deadly frightened person Note: Tradition has it that Geng Lei and the king of the State of Wei were once together, seeing a bird flying across the sky. Geng Lei said to the king that if he shot without an arrow, the bird would also fall down. The king did not believe it and Geng Lei did

48、 as he had said and the bird really fell down. It turned out that the bird had been wounded by a previous shooting and was frightened down at the sound of Geng Leis arrowless shooting. The allusion is now used to refer to people who, having experienced a crisis or danger, are still affected by the l

49、ingering fear. 勞燕分飛 典出樂府詩集.東飛伯勞歌，有關(guān)詩文的細節(jié)可大致簡述如下。勞為伯勞鳥，它和燕子一個飛到東，一個飛到西，兩下分開了。后來用之比喻夫妻或情侶兩離分。 The bird of Bo Lao and the sparrow fly apart; be separated Note: In a poem, it was said that the bird of Bo Lao and the sparrow flew separately one eastward and the other westward. The allusion is now used to

50、 refer to separation of a couple or lovers. 孟母三遷 典出烈女傳，有關(guān)情節(jié)可大致簡述如下。為了孟子和其他孩子有一個良好的成長環(huán)境，孟母（孟子的母親）三次搬家以避免不好的成長環(huán)境。后來人們常用此典褒獎那些教子有方的女性，有時也用以指好鄰居。 The mother of Mencius moved their home three times; moving ones home for the desired environment for the education of ones children Note: Tradition has it tha

51、t Mrs Meng, mother of Mencius, moved her home three times for an ideal neighborhood for the education of her son Mencius and his brothers. The allusion is now used to give praise to those who are good at educating their young. 女媧補天 典出淮南子.覽冥訓，有關(guān)情節(jié)可大致簡述如下。古代天的四極是殘缺的，神人伏羲的妹妹女媧煉五色石以補天，斬斷巨鰲的足來支撐四極。后來人們常用

52、此典來褒獎人們救國救難、匡正乾坤的壯舉，也用于指治理災難。 N Wa patches the sky; to save the populace by patching the sky or doing a great deed Note: Legend has it that when the sky and the earth began to separate, the four corners of the sky were fragmentary. Then N Wa, Fu Xis sister, fostered stones of color to patch the sky

53、and cut the four legs from a giant tortoise as poles to support the sky. In this way, she contributed a great deal to the mankind. The allusion is now used to such heroic deeds as salvation of the nation or pulling the people through crisis or natural disasters. 杞人憂天 典出列子.天瑞，有關(guān)情節(jié)可大致簡述如下。古代杞國有個人害怕天崩地

54、陷，無處安身，終日憂愁，以致寢食俱廢。后來多用此典指有些人對有些事產(chǎn)生不必要的擔心與害怕。 A certain person from the State of Qi worries that the sky would fall down and he would have no place to harbor himself; groundless worry Note: Legend has it that a certain person from the State of Qi worried that the sky would some day fall down and he

55、then would have no place to shelter himself from the disaster. He worried day and night as to neglect his meal and sleep. The allusion now applies to the case of groundless worry. 繞梁三日 也有說成余音繞梁的，典出列子.湯問，有關(guān)情節(jié)可大致簡述如下。古代有個叫韓娥的歌手，在去齊國的路上沒有辦法，在雍門賣唱乞食。唱得很好，走了之后三天之內(nèi)人們?nèi)愿械接嘁粑瓷?，仿佛還在梁間回繞。后來用此典形容優(yōu)美的歌曲。 Whirling

56、 around the beam for three days; (of a song) so excellent as to let the audience feel it lingering for a long time Note: Legend has it that in ancient time, Han E once on the way to the State of Qi had no food but to beg by singing. She sang so beautifully that three days after she left, the audienc

57、e still felt that the song was lingering in the hall. The allusion now applies to the description of excellent songs or music. 塞翁失馬 也有說成塞翁失馬，焉知非福的，典出淮南子.人間訓，有關(guān)情節(jié)可大致簡述如下。古代邊塞有位老翁丟了馬，人們都來安慰他。他卻說，馬丟了，說不定還是一種福氣呢。后來那匹馬回來了，還引回了胡人的一匹馬。此時人們又來向他賀喜。他說，說不定是一種禍事呢。正如所言，不久他的兒子因為騎那匹馬摔斷了腿。后來人們用此典形容禍福相依，相互轉(zhuǎn)化，難以逆料。 T

58、he frontiersman loses his horse; a loss may turn out to be a blessing Note: Legend has it that a frontiersman once lost his horse and his neighbors came to comfort him. However, he said to the neighbors that the loss might turn out to be a blessing. Later, the horse came back with another horse of t

59、he Tartars and then his neighbors came to extend their congratulations. However, he said on the occasion that the blessing might turn out to be a misfortune. It really so happened that his son rode the horse, fell down from it and had his leg broken. And the story continues in that line. The allusio

60、n now applies to comforting others when they have a bad fortune. 聞雞起舞 典出晉書.祖逖傳，有關(guān)情節(jié)可大致簡述如下。祖逖與劉琨都做司州主簿，非常要好，經(jīng)常一起睡覺。有一次半夜聽到雞叫，祖逖將劉琨踢醒說，半夜聽到雞叫并非壞事，于是兩人起床舞練。后來多用此典形容人們立志發(fā)奮圖強。 To get out of bed to exercise oneself when the cock crows in the middle night; diligent and self-disciplined Note: Historic reco