英文谚语和西方文化一起学

” 。其实 “a dog's life” 指的是 “ 争吵不休，过着不安宁的日子 ” 。这类成语很多，如 go to the dogs( 每况愈下 ) ， dog-eat-dog ( 狗咬狗的，损人利己的 ) ， dog in the manger ( 占着茅坑不拉屎的人 ) 。还有一些没有任何褒贬涵义的用法，如 dog days ( 大热天 ) ， doggy bag ( 餐馆里的打包袋 ), 据说，早先人们碍于面子，不愿明说要把剩菜带回家吃，佯称要带给狗吃，所以叫 doggy bag 。

上面几条西方谚语都可以在汉语中找到相似的表达，但下面两条却截然不同了。

(10) Lightning never strikes the same place twice.

“ 闪电从不打同一个地方 ” ，与我们说的 “ 福无双至，祸不单行 ” 恰恰相反，这也是差异的一个有趣的体现。

e.g.
--How were your exams? All over?

--I really don't how. I did rather poorly last time. I hope I'll do better this time.

--Come on, don't worry about it. You are sure to pass. As the saying goes, lightening never  strike the same place twice.

(11) One swallow does not make a summer.

swallow 是燕子。西谚说，一只燕子飞来不能代表夏天的来临。而中国成语却说，一叶知秋。两种说法各有其智慧。 "One swallow does not make a summer" ，强调的是要区别一般性与特殊性的辩证哲理；而 “ 一叶知秋 ” 体现的则是从细微的端倪窥见总体趋势的睿智。

e.g.

--Hey, look! The scores are already 2:1! Liverpool is sure to win, I bet!

--I don't think so. One swallow does not make a summer. Miracles always happen the last minute.

责任编辑:joyyy