每到新的生肖年,大家满心欢喜用英文分享这份传统喜悦时,却常常掉进翻译的 “坑” 里。
你是不是下意识觉得 “蛇年” 就是 “snake year”?这么直译,虽然字面看着直白,却妥妥偏离了正宗英文表达。
“蛇年” 英文怎么说?
生肖年的正确说法:Year of the + 动物名
所以, “蛇年” 用英语应该说:
Year of the Snake
例如:
2025 is the Year of the Snake.
2025 年是蛇年。
PS:生肖在英语当中对应的单词是 “Chinese zodiac sign” [ˈzəʊdiæk] ,还有一种说法是 “Chinese animal sign”。
十二生肖的英文:
鼠 Rat
牛 Ox
虎 Tiger
兔 Rabbit
龙 Dragon
蛇 Snake
马 Horse
羊 Goat
猴 Monkey
鸡 Rooster
狗 Dog
猪 Pig
蛇在中国文化中的象征意义
在中国文化中,蛇有时被视为吉祥的象征。在一些传统的民间故事和传说中,蛇能够带来好运。
In Chinese culture, the snake is sometimes regarded as a symbol of auspiciousness. In some traditional folk stories and legends, snakes bring good luck.
在远古时期,蛇是一些部落的图腾。这些部落的人们尊崇蛇,把蛇当作自己的祖先或者保护神。图腾崇拜体现了人们对蛇的敬畏之心。
In ancient times, the snake was the totem of some tribes. The people of these tribes respected the snake and regarded it as their ancestor or protector. Totem worship reflects people's reverence of snakes.
蛇的形象常常和智慧联系在一起。它们行动敏捷、捕猎时狡猾多端,这种特性使人们将蛇与智慧相关联。在古代的一些文化表达中,蛇被用来隐喻有智慧的人。
The image of the snake is often associated with wisdom. They are quick - moving and cunning when hunting, and this characteristic makes people associate snakes with wisdom. In some ancient cultural expressions, the snake was used to metaphorically represent wise people.
蛇的繁殖能力比较强,所以在一些文化观念中,蛇也象征着生育和繁衍。它可以代表家族的延续和人丁兴旺。
Snakes have relatively strong reproductive capabilities. Therefore, in some cultural concepts, snakes also symbolize fertility and proliferation. It can represent the continuation of a family and a prosperous population.
蛇的生活习性使它带有一种神秘色彩。它们穿梭于草丛、洞穴之中,行动隐秘。在中国的神话和传说里,有许多关于蛇的神秘故事,比如白素贞(Lady White Snake)的传说。
The living habits of snakes give them a sense of mystery. They shuttle through grass and caves, and their movements are secretive. In Chinese myths and legends, there are many mysterious stories about snakes, such as the legend of Lady White Snake.
英文中与蛇有关的表达
1.nake in the grass
暗藏的背叛者,暗敌,伪君子,阴险小人
例句:
He's a snake in the grass. While pretending to be your friend he was slandering you behind your back.
他是个暗敌,表面上装作是你的朋友,背地里却在诽谤你。
Don't trust him, he looks honest but he's a snake in the grass.
别相信他,他看起来老实,其实极其阴险。
2.snake eyes
在赌场用语中,snake eyes是指掷骰子时出现两个一点的情况,因为两个骰子都显示一点,看上去有点像蛇的眼睛。在双骰游戏规则里,这种点数组合通常代表玩家输。
例句:
He rolled snake eyes three times in a row and lost all his chips.
他连续三次掷出了蛇眼,输光了所有筹码。
3.snake oil
推销者的所谓“万应灵药”,没有作用的推销品
例句:
That new diet pill is just snake oil - it won't help you lose weight.
那种新的减肥药只是骗局——它不会帮助你减肥。
Don't believe everything he says, he's just selling snake oil.
不要相信他说的一切,他只是在兜售骗局。
4.snake through
蜿蜒穿过
例句:
The line continued to snake through the terminal throughout the morning.
整个早上,队伍蜿蜒不绝的穿过候机大厅。
The narrow path snaked through the dense forest.
狭窄的小路蜿蜒穿过茂密的森林。
以上就是本期的全部内容,感谢关注,下期再见!!
Together in Learning
三人行必有我师
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