[成语大全及翻译]成语翻译大全

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成语翻译大全篇1:成语的英文翻译方法

　　翻译需要克服语言和文化的双重障碍。就语言而言，最大的障碍莫过于原语中独特的结构形式；就文化而言，莫过于独特的民族特征。如果独特的语言形式又表现了民族性极强的思想内容，翻译应变得更难了。汉语中的四字结构，正是一种独特的语言结构形式，这种语言结构形式是我国人民在长期实践和认识过程中提炼出的语言结晶，不但结构工整紧凑，具有很强的表现力，令人读之悦目，听之悦耳，而且从结构形式上来看，在英语语言中一般找不到相应地的表达方式，从所表达的意义来看，又深深地植根于民族文化之中，具在极强的民族性。因而，在汉译英时如何将它们正确无误地翻译成英语，对我们中国学生来讲的确是一个很大的困难。
　　汉语的四字结构大多为成语，但也有一般性的四字表达方式。
　　成语
　　成语是汉语词汇中特有的一种长期沿习使用的固定短语，它们的来自于古代经典或著名著作，历史故事片和人们的口头流传，意思是精辟，往往隐含于字面意义这中，不是其构成成分意义的简单相加，具有意义的整体性。成语的结构紧密，一般不能任意变动词序，抽换或增减其中的成分，具有结构上的凝固性。其形式以四字格居多。也有少量三字格和多字格的形式。
　　汉语成语具有比喻丰富，形象生动的特点，给人一种生动传神，淋漓尽致的感觉。另外，汉语成语学有言简意赅，琅琅上口的特点，既简洁，又富有文采，是读者所喜闻乐见的表达方式。成语好比一面镜子，它反映出一个民族或一个文化的特点。1. 褒贬
　　同一词汇，在汉英两种语言中褒贬不一。例如“狗”字在汉语成语中通常含有贬义，而在英语中却不同。请看以下例子：
　　狐朋狗 友：比喻不正派的朋友。a gang of scoundrels/a pack of rogues.例如：你也别过于相信那些狐朋狗 友。
　　狗急跳墙：把狗惹急了，能跳越高墙。比喻坏人穷途末路时不计后果，铤而走险。A cornered beast will do something desperate/A cornered beast will do something/just as a dog will leap over a wall in desperation. 例如：困兽犹斗，敌人在濒临灭亡的时候，会狗急跳墙的，我们要加倍提高警惕。
　　狼心狗肺：形容心肠狠毒，多就忘恩负义者而言。be as cruel as a wolf/cruel and unscrupulous/brutal and cold-blooded/completely without conscience/heartless and ungrateful/rapacious as a wolf and savage as a cur/the heart of a (wild)beast; wicked-hearted /with the heart of a wolf。例如：哪知这贼子恁般狼心狗肺，负义忘恩！
　　狗苟蝇营（蝇营狗苟）：像狗似的无耻，像苍蝇那样逐臭，比喻到处钻营，而手段卑劣。ingratiate oneself with someone to gain one’s ends.例如：到底狗苟蝇营，依然逃不了对明烛照。——《孽海花》
　　狗胆包天：斥责别人胆子太大，敢于胡作非为的人。 have monstrous audacity.例如：你狗胆包天！竟敢继续煽动大家。
　　望子成龙：盼望儿子成长为有出息，有作为的人。expect one’s son to be talent/hope one’s son will turn out a dragon.例如：他望子成龙心切。
　　而在英语习语中，“dog”一词常用来比喻人的行为，通常是没有贬义的。如：You are a lucky dog. (你是个幸运儿。) Every dog has his day. (凡人皆有行意日。) Old dog will not learn new tricks.(老人学不了新东西。)等等。
　　再如：“龙”字在汉语中是中国人的象征。它的英语对应词是“dragon”，而“dragon”的意思却是 a mythical monster traditionally represented as a gigantic reptile having a lion’s claws, the tail of a serpent, wings, and a scaly skin(龙是一种传说中的怪物，一般被描述成有狮爪，蛇尾，翅膀及带鳞的皮肤)；a fiercely vigilant or intractable person （严密警戒的人；相当警惕或难以驾驭的人）; something very formidable or dangerous (可怕的或危险的东西); any of various lizards, such as the Komodo dragon or the flying lizard(蜥蜴的一种，如巨蜥或飞蜥)。
　　2. 历史典故
　　汉英两种语言中还有大量由历史典故形成的习语。这些习语结构简单，意义深远，往往是不能从单词字面意义去理解和翻译的。例如汉语中：
　　东施效颦：《庄子·天运》中故事。blind imitation with ludicrous effect/ play the ape/ look all the uglier by mimicking the beauty.
　　叶公好龙：professed love of what one actually fears/ like Lord Ye claimed to be found of dragons but was mortally afraid of them.
　　夜郎自大：ludicrous conceit of the king of Yelang-parochial arrogance
　　班门弄斧：display one’s slight skill before an expert.
　　名落孙山：fail in a competitive examination/ be flunked.
　　历史典故是最具民族特色的，汉语是这样，英语也是如此。典故通常是不能按照字面对译的，典故通常要采取意译或解释或加注释的办法来翻译。例如英语中的"John can be relied on. He eats no fish and plays the game.”中国读者看了，就不知所云。“eat no fish”是英语里的一个典故，是表示“忠诚”的意思。而“play the game”的意思是（比赛，游戏中）按规则做；正直诚实，光明正大。因此，上句可译成，“约翰为人可靠，他既忠诚又老实”。
　　3. 共性成语
　　一败涂地： meet one’s waterloo/ bite the ground/hunt grass/suffer a crushing defeat.
　　趁热打铁： strike while the iron is hot/Hold a wolf the iron is hot.
　　熟能生巧： Skill comes from practice/ Practice makes perfect.
　　挥金如土： spend money like water/squander money like dust.
　　破釜沉舟： burn one’s boats/burn one’s bridge /throw away the scabbard.
　　雪中送炭： to offer fuel in snowy weather./help in one’s hour of need.
　　一人得道，鸡犬升天： Even the dog swaggers when its master win favor.
　　瓜田李下： in a melon patch or a plum tree—in suspicious circumstances or surroundings/Neither adjust your shoe in a melon patch, nor your hat under a plum tree.
　　非成语
　　移步换景： a different view with every step/take a step and the scenery will chang
　　曲径通幽： a winding path leading to a secluded place
　　诗情画意： poetic lyricism and picturesque concept
　　金碧辉煌： in splendid colours
　　阡陌纵横，鸡犬相闻，风和日丽，鸟语花香的一片新天地： a new land with crisscrossed fields, bright sunshine, gentle breeze, cocks crowing, dogs barking, birds singing and flowers blooming
　　另外，在广告用语中，四字结构用得更多，例如：
　　典雅大方： elegant and graceful
　　香浓可口： aromatic character and agreeable taste
　　软硬适中： neither too hard nor too soft
　　大补无气： reinforce vital energy
　　畅销全球： sell well all over the world
　　花色繁多： a wide selection of colors and designs
　　用料上乘： selected material
　　甜而不腻： agreeable sweetness
　　安心益气： make one feel at ease and energetic
　　交货及时： timely delivery guaranteed
　　品种迭出： New varieties are introduced one after anther.
　　随意小酌： Light snakes are ready on request
　　老少良伴： Good companies for children as well as for adults.
　　旅游胜地： a tourist stand
　　经验独特： Experience is out copyright.
　　鲜花美人，倾诉衷肠： Flowers by beauty speak from the heart.
　　随意挑选，保君满意： choose once and choose well
　　体积虽小，颇具功效： compact impact
　　一夫当关，万夫莫开： One warrior deployed in the pass makes thousands of burglars loose heart.
　　三心二意，照样钓鱼: For all your double-mindedness, fishing goes on just the same.
　　（操作）简单： It’s simple.
　　用途广泛： It’s versatile.
　　（复印）迅速： It’s fast.
　　图文清晰： It’s intelligent.
　　功能齐全： It’s powerful.
　　名副其实： It’s everything a copier philosophy should be.
　　琳琅满目： a superb collection of beautiful things/wide choice.总之，不论是四字成语，还是非成语，应注意以下原则：
　　1. 形象性原则。
　　2. 简练性原则
　　3. 不可滥用字面意义直译法
　　4. 尽量少用意译法和直译法——注释法

成语翻译大全篇2:四字成语及解释大全

　　导语：欢迎大家来到成语频道，下面小编整理一些四字成语及解释，请同学们鉴赏!
 
　　【四字成语】
　　韬光养晦：比喻隐藏才能，不使外露。
　　醍醐灌顶：比喻以人的智慧灌输于人，使人清醒。
　　条分缕析 形容分析得细密而有条理
　　痛心疾首：形容伤心悔恨之极，也形容怨恨之深。
　　万马齐喑 比喻人们都沉默，不说话，不发表意见
　　妄自菲薄：过份地轻视自己，不知自重。
　　欣喜若狂 欣喜：快乐;若：好象;狂：失去控制。形容高兴到了极点。
　　心悦诚服 悦：愉快，高兴;诚：硬实。由衷地高兴，真心地服气。指真心地服气或服从。
　　喜笑颜开 颜开：脸面舒开，指笑容。形容心里高兴，满面笑容。
　　喜怒无常 一会儿高兴，一会儿生气。形容态度多变。
　　喜出望外 望：希望，意料。由于没有想到的好事而非常高兴。
　　心花怒放 怒放：盛开。心里高兴得象花儿盛开一样。形容极其高兴。
　　喜眉笑眼 形容面带笑容、十分高兴的样子。
　　喜不自胜 胜：能承受。喜欢得控制不了自己。形容非常高兴。
　　谈笑风生 有说有笑，兴致高。形容谈话谈得高兴而有风趣。
　　手舞足蹈 蹈：顿足踏地。两手舞动，两只脚也跳了起来。形容高兴到了极点。也手乱舞、脚乱跳的狂态。
　　受宠若惊 宠：宠爱。因为得到宠爱或赏识而又高兴，又不安。
　　杀风景 损坏美好的景色。比喻在大家高兴的时候，突然出现使人扫兴的事物。
　　人莫予毒 莫：没有;予：我;毒：分割，危害。再也没有人怨恨我、伤害我了。形容劲敌被消灭后高兴的心情。
　　亲痛仇快 做事不要使自己人痛心，使敌人高兴。指某种举坳只利于敌人，不利于自己。
　　乐极生悲 高兴到极点时，发生使人悲伤的事。
　　眉开眼笑 眉头舒展，眼含笑意。形容高兴愉快的样子。
　　哭丧着脸 心里不愉快，脸上显出不高兴的样子。
　　酒酣耳热 形容饮酒到高兴的时候。
　　洞若观火：形容看得清楚明白。
　　对簿公堂：在公堂受审。
　　耳濡目染：形容见得多听得多之后，无形之中受到影响。
　　耳熟能详：听得次数多了，熟悉得能详尽地说出来。
　　耳提面命 表示长辈的谆谆教导.不用于同辈之间和贬义.
　　罚不当罪：处罚和所犯的罪行不相当，多指处罚过重。
　　翻云覆雨：比喻反复无常或玩弄手段。
　　繁文缛节:比喻其他烦琐多余的事项，也说繁文缛礼。比喻疑神疑鬼，妄自惊慌。
　　方枘圆凿 形容格格不入
　　方兴未艾：事物正在发展，一时不会终止。
　　沸反盈天：形容喧哗吵闹，乱成一团。
　　焚膏继晷：形容夜以继日地用功读书或努工作。
　　粉墨登场：化装上台演戏。今多比喻登上政治舞台。(含讥讽意)
　　风驰电掣：形容像刮风和闪电那样迅速。
　　奉为圭臬 把某些言论或事物当作准则
　　否极泰来：坏的到了尽头，好的就来了。
　　浮光掠影：比喻印象不深刻，好像水面的光和掠过的影子一样，一晃就消失了。
　　高谈阔论：大发议论，多含贬义。
　　隔靴搔痒 比喻说话作文等不中肯，没有抓住问题的关键
　　各行其是：各自按照自己以为对的去做。
　　耿耿于怀：对某些事总记在心里，形容心存怨恨。(一般指自己对某些事不满)
　　功败垂成：在快要成功的时候遭到失败。(多含惋惜意)
　　狗尾续貂：泛指以坏续好，前后不相称，多指文艺作品。
　　孤注一掷：把所有的钱一下子投做赌注，企图最后得胜。比喻在危急时把全部力量拿出来冒一次险。
　　瓜田李下 经过瓜田，不弯下身来提鞋，免得人家怀疑摘瓜;走过李树下面，不举起手来整理帽子，免得人家怀疑摘李子。比喻容易引起嫌疑的地方。
　　刮目相看：用新的眼光来看待。
　　挂一漏万：形容列举不全，遗漏很多。
　　管窥蠡测：从竹管里看天，用瓢来量海水，比喻眼光狭窄，见识短浅。
　　光天化日：比喻大家看得很清楚的地方。
　　鬼斧神工：形容技艺的精巧，似非人工之能为。(形容人工技艺的精巧)
　　含英咀华：比喻琢磨和领会诗文的要点和精神。
　　汗牛充栋：形容书籍极多。汗牛，牛累得出了汗。充栋，堆满了屋子
　　皓首穷经：皓首，白头，钻研经典到老
　　厚积薄发：长期积累，突然暴发。
　　虎视眈眈：形容贪婪而凶狠地注视。
　　怙恶不悛：一贯作恶，不肯悔改。
　　涣然冰释：嫌隙、误会消除。
　　荒诞不经：不经，不正常的。虚妄离奇，不合正理。
　　黄粱一梦：比喻想要实现的好事落得一场空。也说黄粱美梦，一枕黄粱
　　讳莫如深：紧紧隐瞒
　　火中取栗：比喻冒危险给别人出力自己上了大当，一无所得。
　　祸起萧墙：祸乱发生在家里，比喻内部发生祸乱。
　　积重难返 指长期形成的不良风俗、习惯不易改变
　　集腋成裘：狐狸腋下的皮虽然很少，但是聚集起来就能缝成一件皮袍。比喻积少成多。
　　计日程功：可以数着日子计算进度，形容数着日子算进度，形容在较短期间就可以成功。
　　济济一堂 ：形容许多有才能的人聚在一起。
　　间不容发：中间容不下一根头发，比喻与灾祸相距极近，情势极其危急。
　　见仁见智：对同一问题，各人从不同角度持不同的看法。
　　见贤思齐：见到好的，优秀的，就向其学习，向其看齐。
　　矫揉造作：形容过分做作，极不自然。
　　矫枉过正 纠正偏差做得过了头
　　金科玉律：比喻不能变更的信条或法律条文。
　　噤若寒蝉：形容不敢作声。
　　敬谢不敏：谢，推辞;不敏，无能。表示推辞做某事的婉辞。错用于拒绝别人的要求
　　久假不归 长期借去，不归还
　　开卷有益：读书就有收获。开卷，打开书本，借指读书。
　　恪遵功令：严谨地遵守条令制度。
　　空穴来风：有了洞穴才有风进来，比喻消息和传说不是完全没有原因的。
　　苦心孤诣：费尽心思钻研或经营。孤诣，别人所达不到的。(中性)
　　狼奔豕突：狼和猪东奔西跑。比喻成群的坏人乱窜乱撞。(贬)
　　良莠不齐：一群人中有好有坏，侧重于品质。不用于水平、成绩等
　　临渊羡鱼 比喻只有愿望，不去实干，就无济于事
　　令人发指：发指，头发竖起来，形容非常愤怒。
　　另眼相看：用另一种眼光看待，多指看待某个人(或某种人)不同于一般。
　　门可罗雀 大门前面可以张网捕雀，形容宾客稀少，十分冷落。
　　门庭若市 形容交际来往的人很多。
　　面目全非 事物的样子变得很厉害,贬义.指变得很糟.
　　目无全牛：用来形容技艺已达十分纯熟的地步。(褒义词)
　　沐猴而冠 沐猴戴帽子，装成人的样子。比喻装扮得像个人物，而实际并不像
　　暮鼓晨钟 比喻可以使人警觉醒悟的话
　　南辕北辙 形容行动和目的相反
　　南辕北辙：心里想往南去，车子却往北走。比喻行动和目的相反。
　　泥沙俱下 比喻好坏不同的人或事物混杂在一起
　　抛砖引玉：自谦之辞，不能用于对方或第三方
　　蓬荜生辉：谦辞，表示由于别人自己家来或张挂别人给自己题赠的字画等而使自己十分光荣。
　　披肝沥胆：比喻开诚相见，也比喻极尽忠诚。
　　披沙拣金：比喻从大量的事物中选择精华。
　　萍水相逢：比喻向来不认识的人偶然相遇。
　　期期艾艾 口吃.不理解为懦弱犹豫等
　　杞人忧天：比喻不必要的忧虑。
　　前事不忘，后世之师 指记住过去的经验教训，可以作为以后的借鉴
　　黔驴技穷：比喻仅有的一点伎俩也用完了(贬)
　　罄竹难书：把竹子用完了都写不完。比喻事实(罪恶)很多，难以说完。
　　求全责备：苛责别人，要求完美 无缺。
　　曲突徙薪 比喻事先采取措施，防止危险发生
　　人心不古：今人的心地不如古人淳厚。多用以感叹世风浅薄。
　　忍俊不禁：忍不住笑了出来。
　　如汤沃雪 像热水浇在雪上，比喻事情极容易解决
　　如坐春风：如同沐浴在和煦的春风里，比喻受到教育和感 化。
　　茹毛饮血：原始人不会用火，连毛带血地生吃禽兽。
　　塞翁失马 比喻坏事在一定条件下可以变为好事。
　　三人成虎：传言有虎的人很多，大家便相信了。多误解为团结合作力量大
　　三足鼎立 比喻三方面的势力对峙。
　　色厉内荏：外表强硬而内心怯懦。
　　闪烁其词 ：形容说话吞吞吐吐，躲躲闪闪。
　　身体力行：亲身体验，努力实践。体，行。
　　尸位素餐：空占着职位，不做事而白吃饭。
　　师心自用：固执己见，自以为是。
　　石破天惊：比喻文章议论新奇惊人。
　　时乖运蹇 指时运不好
　　拾人牙慧：拾取别人的只言片语当作自已的话。
　　始作俑者：首先干某件坏事的人。滥用于一切倡导
　　首鼠两端：迟疑不决。常误解为言行前后不一致
　　受宠若惊：受到过分的宠爱待遇而感到意外的惊喜。
　　数典忘祖：忘掉自己本来的情况或事物的本源。
　　水落石出：形容真相大白。
　　硕大无朋 形容无比的大。
　　硕果仅存 比喻经过淘汰，留存下的稀少可贵的人或物
　　司空见惯：看惯了就不觉得奇怪。
　　夙兴夜寐：起得早，睡得晚，形容勤奋不懈。
　　素昧平生：一向不相识。
　　叹为观止：赞美看到的事物美到极点
　　惊喜欲狂 既惊又喜，高兴得都要发疯了。形容喜出望外，过于兴奋的情壮。
　　近悦远来 使近处的人受到好处而高兴，远方的人闻风就会前来投奔。旧指当权者给人恩惠，以便笼络人心。
　　皆大欢喜 人人都高兴满意。
　　欢欣鼓舞 欢欣：欣喜;鼓舞：振奋。形容高兴而振奋。
　　含笑九泉 九泉：地下深处，旧指人死之后埋葬的地方。也作：“黄泉”。在九泉之下满含笑容。表示死后也感到欣慰和高兴。
　　欢天喜地 形容非常高兴。
　　欢呼雀跃 高兴得像麻雀那样跳跃起来。形容十分欢乐的情景。
　　抚掌大笑 抚：拍。拍手大笑。形容非常高兴。
　　怫然不悦 怫然：忧愁或愤怒的样子;悦：愉快，高兴。愤怒，很不愉快。
　　得意忘形 形：形态。形容高兴得失去了常态。
　　大喜过望 过：超过;望：希望。结果比原来希望的还好，因而感到特别高兴。
　　冁然而笑 冁然：笑的样子。高兴地笑起来。
　　眉欢眼笑 形容非常兴奋、高兴
　　眉花眼笑 形容非常高兴、兴奋的样子

成语翻译大全篇3:中国成语故事英语翻译参考

　　中国成语故事《玩火自焚》中英文版
　　During the Spring and Autumn Period (770-476 BC), prince Zhou Xu of the State of Wei killed his brother and became the new emperor. Zhou Xu was a tyrant. He oppressed his people and indulged in wars of agGREssion. By launching wars, he tried to divert the people"s attention and reduce their discontent with him in order to consolidate his dictatorship.
　　The Duke of the State of Lu leant about Zhou Xu"s usurpation of state power and his ambitious plan, he asked a senior official, "What do you think about Zhou Xu"s move? "The official answered, "He indulges in wars , bringing his people much disaster. He won"t get their support. And he"s capricious, so few of his close friends follow him. He can never achieve his success. In addition, war is like fire. If one launches wars endlessly without restraint, he"ll eventually burn himself. "
　　Sure enough, the people of Wei with the help of the State of Chen overthrew Zhou Xu and killed him in less than a year.
　　Later, people use it to mean that those who do evil will finally ruin themselves.
　　春秋时期，卫国的王子州吁杀死了他的哥哥卫桓公，成为了卫国的国君。州吁是个暴君，他压迫百姓，到处侵略别的国家。他想利用战争来分散百姓的注意力，减少人们对他的不满，巩固他的专政。
　　鲁国的君王知道州吁篡夺了王位，还想吞并其他国家，就问他手下的一名官员："你认为州吁的目的能达到吗？"那位官员说道："州吁到处打仗，给人民来了灾难。人民不会支持他。他这个人又反复无常，身边没有什么亲信。他不可能实现自己的野心。而且，战争就象火。无休止地打仗，最后，火会烧到自己身上。 "
　　果然，不到一年，卫国人民就在陈国的帮助下推翻了州吁的统治，并处死了他。
　　后来，人们用这个成语来比喻干害人的勾当，最后受害的还是自己。
　　中国成语故事《四面楚歌》中英文版
　　At the end of the Qin Dynasty(221-206 B.C.) the State of Chu and the State of Han fought for control for the country. Xiang Yu, the king of Chu, was besieged（包围） at a place called Gaixia by the Han army led by Liu Bang. Xiang Yu was in a desperate situation, with little food and only a few soliders. At night, the surrounding Han troops started to sing Chu folk songs. Xiang Yu was very surprised at this, and said:"Has Liu Bang occupied the whole of Chu? How can he have drafted so many Chu people into his army?" Then he fled together with the remainder of his forces.
　　This idiom is used metaphorically to mean to be in a helpless and critical situation, surrounded by the enemy on all sides.
　　项羽和刘邦原来约定以鸿沟（在今河南荣县境贾鲁河）东西边作为界限，互不侵犯。后来刘邦听从张良和陈平的规劝，觉得应该趁项羽衰弱的时候消灭他，就又和韩信、彭越、刘贾会合兵力追击正在向东开往彭城（即今江苏徐州）的项羽部队。终于布置了几层兵力，把项羽紧紧围在垓下（在今安徽灵璧县东南）。这时，项羽手下的兵士已经很少，粮食又没有了。夜里听见四面围住他的军队都唱起楚地的民歌，不禁非常吃惊地说：“刘邦已经得到了楚地了吗？为什么他的部队里面楚人这么多呢？”说看，心里已丧失了斗志，便从床上爬起来，在营帐里面喝酒，并和他最宠爱的妃子虞姬一同唱歌。唱完，直掉眼泪，在一旁的人也非常难过，都觉得抬不起头来。虞姬自刎于项羽的马前，项羽英雄末路，带了仅剩兵卒至乌江，最终自刎于江边。
　　以后人们就用“四面楚歌”这个词，形容人们遭受各方面攻击或逼迫，而陷于孤立窘迫的境地。凡是陷于此种境地者，其命运往往是很悲惨的。例如某人因经常与坏人为伍，不事生产，游手好闲，但后来却被那些坏人逼迫得无以为生，而求助于别人时，别人又因他平日行为太坏，绝不同情理睬，这人所处的境地便是“四面楚歌”。
　　中国成语故事《不合时宜》中英文版
　　In the State of Lu, there was a couple of husband and wife, the former being an expert shoemaker and the latter a skilled hand in wearing taffeta. One day after consultations they decided to go to the state of Yue to earn a livelihood. The neighbors advised them not to go when they learned about their plan. "Don"t go there," said one neighbor, "If you go, you can never earn a livelihood."
　　"We cannot understand you," interrogated the couple, "We have a find command of our art, how could we not earn our living with our work? Don"t make a fool of us, please."
　　"Indeed, you have your skill," explained the man, "But have you taken notice of the fact that shoes are made for people and the silk taffeta are for hat-making? The people of Yue don"t wear shoes, for they are barefooted. Again, they like to have their hair spread out over their heads and they never use hats. To whom should you sell your shoes and hats then?" Experienced though you are in the arts, yet the arts you have mastered are useless there."
　　After this explanation, the husband and wife now understood that anything that was not adaptable to the objective world would be useless and unpractical.
　　鲁国有对夫妻，男的是鞋匠，鞋子做的很好；女的是织绢能手。有一天，他们商量想到越国去谋生。消息传到四邻后，有人对他们说："不要到那儿去！否则你们一定无法生存的！"那对夫妇说："我们不明白你的意思， 我们都有一套手艺，怎么 会生活不了呢？别胡说了！" 那人说："对呀，你们虽然都有一套手艺，可是你们要知道，鞋子是给人穿的，但越国人都赤脚不穿鞋子，你们织的丝绢原是做帽子用的，但越国人喜欢披着头发，不戴帽子，你们的本领虽大，手艺虽高，但你们做的鞋子、帽子去卖给谁呢？那对夫妇这才明白，凡事如果不合时宜，不适合客观环境就不中用了。
　　中国成语故事《南辕北辙》中英文版
　　Going South by Driving the Chariot North
　　Once a man wanted to go to the south, but his carriage was heading north. A passer-by asked him:"If you are going to south, why is your chariot heading north?" The ma answered, "My horse is good at running, My driver is highly skilled at driving a carriage, ad I have enough money."The man didint consider that the direction might be wrong; the better his conditions were, ther further he was away from his destination.
　　The idiom derived froim this story indicates that one"s action was the opposite effect to one"s intention.
　　南辕北辙
　　从前有个人要到南方去，他坐的车子却向北方行驶。过路人说：“你去南方，车子怎么向北行驶呢?”他回答说：“我的马很能跑路，我的车夫驾车的技术也很高明，加上我又带了充足的路费。”这个人没有考虑到，方向弄反了，他的条件越好，离他要取得地方就越远。
　　后来人们就把这个故事概括为“南辕北辙”。比喻一个人的行动和他的目的正好相反。
　　中国成语故事《邯郸学步》中英文版
　　Imitating Another without Success and Losing What Used to Be One"sOwn Ability
　　Tradition has it that more than 2,oooyears ago,there lived a young man in the Shouling area of the State of Yan.As his name is not known ,we just call him Shouling young man for convenience"s sake.
　　self confident He was at a loss as to how to behave all the time.
　　His family members advised him to overcome this shortcoming,but he thought they were fond of poking their noses into his business and were unwilling to provide him with tuition fee.His relatives and neighbours sneered at him,saying that he would never be able to learn anything.Asthe days went by,he even began to doubt whether he should walk the way he did,for he felt more and more that his walking gestures were too clumsy and awkward.
　　One day,he met some people on the road who werechattingand laughing.One of themsaid that people in Handan walked most gracefully.And thatwas just what he was most concerned about,so he hurreed towards themand wanted to make further inquiries.To his surprise,when these people saw him,they stalked off laughing.
　　He could not picture to himself in what way their walking gestures were graceful,no matter how hard he racked his parents one day.He went to Handanwhich was far away to learn how to walk.
　　As soon as he arrived in Handan,he was dazzled to find that everything was novel.He learned from the children there how to walk,because he thought that the children"s walking gestures were lively and pleasing to the eye.He learnd from the old people there how to walk,because he thought the old people"s walking gestures were steady .He learnd from the women there how to walk,because he thought the women" swaying walking gestures were beautiful.That being the case with him ,in less than half a month he even forgot how to walk.As he had already used up his traveling expenses,he had to crawl back home.
　　Thisstory come from the article"Autumn Water"in The Works of Xhuang Zi(Zhuang Zi was a famous ancient Chinese philosopher of about 300B.c.).Later the set phrase"initating another without success and losing what used to be one"s own ability"is used to refer to acts of copying others mechanisally in disregard of specififc conditions.
　　相传在两千年前，燕国寿陵地方有一位少年，不知道姓啥叫啥，就叫他寿陵少年吧！
　　这位寿陵少年不愁吃不愁穿，论长相也算得上中等人材，可他就是缺乏自信心，经常无缘无故地感到事事不如人，低人一等——衣服是人家的好，饭菜是人家的香，站相坐相也是人家高雅。他见什么学什么，学一样丢一样，虽然花样翻新，却始终不能做好一件事，不知道自己该是什么模样。
　　家里的人劝他改一改这个毛病，他以为是家里人管得太多。亲戚、邻居们，说他是狗熊掰棒子，他也根本听不进去。日久天长，他竟怀疑自己该不该这样走路，越看越觉得自己走路的姿势太笨，太丑了。
　　有一天，他在路上碰到几个人说说笑笑，只听得有人说邯郸人走路姿势那叫美。他一听，对上了心病，急忙走上前去，想打听个明白。不料想，那几个人看见他，一阵大笑之后扬长而去。
　　邯郸人走路的姿势究竟怎样美呢？他怎么也想象不出来。这成了他的心病。终于有一天，他瞒着家人，跑到遥远的邯郸学走路去了。
　　一到邯郸，他感到处处新鲜，简直令人眼花缭乱。看到小孩走路，他觉得活泼、美，学；看见老人走路，他觉得稳重，学；看到妇女走路，摇摆多姿，学。就这样，不过半月光景，他连走路也不会了，路费也花光了，只好爬着回去了。
　　指鹿为马－中国成语故事中英对照
　　Calling a Stag a Horse 指鹿为马
　　In the reign of Emperor the Second of the Qin Dynasty (221-207 B.C.), the prime minister Zhao Gao, obsessed with ambitions, was planning to usurp the throne day and night. But he did not know how many of the ministers in the court were allowed to be ordered about by him and how many of them were his opponents. So he thought out a way to test how high his prestige among the ministers was and also to find out who dared to oppose him.
　　秦二世时，丞相赵高野心勃勃，日夜盘算着要篡夺皇位。可朝中大臣有多少人能听他摆布，有多少人反对他，他心中没底。于是，他想了一个办法，准备试一试自己的威信，同时也可以摸清敢于反对他的人。
　　One day when court was held, Zhao Gao let someone bring a stag to the court and, with a broad smile on his face, he said to Emperor the Second of the Qin Dynasty:"Your Majesty, here is a fine horse I"m presenting to you." Looking at the animal, Emperor the Second thought that it was obviously a stag and that it couldn"t be a horse. So he said smilingly to Zhao Gao:"Mister Prime Minister, you are wrong. This is a stay. Why do you say it is a horse?" Remaining calm, Zhao Gao said:"Will your Majesty please see more clearly? This really is a horse that covers a thousand li a day." Filled with suspicion, Emperor the Second looked at the stag again and said:"How can the antlers be grown on the head of a horse?" Turning around and pointing his finger at the ministers, Zhao Gao said in a loud voice:"if our Majesty do not believe me, you can ask the ministers."
　　一天上朝时，赵高让人牵来一只鹿，满脸堆笑地对秦二世说：“陛下，我献给您一匹好马。”秦二世一看，心想：这哪里是马，这分明是一只鹿嘛！便笑着对赵高说：“丞相搞错了，这里一只鹿，你怎么说是马呢？”赵高面不改色心不跳地说：“请陛下看清楚，这的确是一匹千里马。”秦二世又看了看那只鹿，将信将疑地说：“马的头上怎么会长角呢？”赵高一转身，用手指着众大臣，大声说：“陛下如果不信我的话，可以问问众位大臣。”
　　The nonsense of Zhao Gao made the ministers totally at a lose, and they whispered to themselves: What tricks was Zhao Gao playing? Was it not obvious whether it was a stag or a horse? But when they saw the sinister smile on Zhao Gao"s face and his two rolling eyes which were gazing at each of them, they suddenly understood his evil intentions.
　　大臣们都被赵高的一派胡言搞得不知所措，私下里嘀咕：这个赵高搞什么名堂？是鹿是马这不是明摆着吗！当看到赵高脸上露出阴险的笑容，两只眼睛骨碌碌轮流地盯着赵高脸上露出阴险的笑容，两只眼睛骨碌碌轮流地盯着每个人的时候，大臣们忽然明白了他的用意。
　　Some of the ministers who were timid and yet had a sense of right eousness did not dare to say anything, because to tell lies would make their conscience uneasy and to tell the truth would mean that they would be persecuted by Zhao Gao later. Some ministers with a sense of justice persisted that it was a stag and not a horse. There were still some crafty and fawning ministers who followed Zhao Gao closely in ordinary times. They immediately voiced their support to Zhao Gao, saying to the emperor:"This really in a horse that covers a thousand li a day."
　　一些胆小又有正义感的人都低下头，不敢说话，因为说假话，对不起自己的良心，说真话又怕日后被赵高所害。有些正直的人，坚持认为是说明书而不是马。还有一些平时就紧跟赵高的奸佞之人立刻表示拥护赵高的说法，对皇上说，“这确是一匹千里马！”
　　After the event, Zhao Gao punished by various means those ministers with a sense of justice who were not obedient to him, even with whole families of some of those ministers executed.
　　事后，赵高通过各种手段把那些不顺从自己的正直大臣纷纷治罪，甚至满门抄斩。
　　This story appears in "The Life of the First Emperor of the Qin Dynasty" in The Historical Records written by Sima Qian. From this story people have derived the set phrase "calling a stag a horse" to mean deliberately misrepresenting some thing and misleading the public.
　　故事出自《史记·秦始皇本纪》。成语“指鹿为马”比喻故意颠倒是非，混淆黑白。

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