Corresponding English and Chinese proverbs and phrases



英汉互译中的谚语巧合

1. after meat, mustard; after death, doctor.

雨后送伞

Explanation: this describes a situation where assistance or comfort is given when it is too late.

Example: just as I had cancelled my application to go abroad, I had a

promise of money for my fare. It was a case of after death, the doctor.

2. After praising the wine they sell us vinegar.

挂羊头卖狗肉

Explanation: to offer to give or sell something that is inferior to what you claim it to be.

Example: that fellow completely misled us about what he was capable of doing. After praising the wine, he sold us vinegar.

3. All is over but the shouting.

大势已去

Explanation: finally decided or won; brought to the end; not able to be changed.

Example: after Bill’s touch down, the game is all over but shouting.

4. All lay load on the willing horse.

人善被人欺，马善被人骑

Explanation: a willing horse is someone who is always doing things for others. Very often the implication is that others impose on him.

Examples: the trouble is you're too good-natured and people take advantage of it. All lay load on the willing horse. You will have to learn to refuse people who ask too much.

5. anger and haste hinder good counsel.

小不忍则乱大谋

Explanation: one can not act wisely when one is angry or in a hurry.

Example: you should calm down before you decide the next move. Anger and haste hinder good counsel.

6. As poor as a church mouse

一贫如洗

Explanation: to be exceedingly poor, having barely to live upon.

Example: he has a large family, and is poor as a church mouse.

Note: a church is one of the few buildings that contain no food.

7. A word spoken is past recalling.

一言既出，驷马难追

Explanation: the harm done by a careless word can not easily undo.

Example: for the rest of his life he regretted what he had said, but a word spoken is past recalling and he knew he could never repair the damage of that moment of harshness.

NOW, TRY YOUR HAND ON THE FOLLOWING:（根据解释，试试翻译下面的谚语）

Love is blind.

beauty is a matter of individual taste and judgment. This is often used of a person whose judgment is affected by love or infatuation.

Better to die in glory than live in dishonor.

if one has the choice between living in shame and degradation and dying in glory, it is better to die.

Birds of a feather flock together.

people who are alike often become friend or are together: if you are often with certain people, you may be their friends or like them.

Blood, toil, tears and sweat.

said of a person bending oneself to a task and exerting all efforts in the performance of one duty.

Calamity is man true touchstone.

the most telling test of a man ability and worth comes when he has to face great difficulties.

Clean conscience laughs at false accusation.

a person who knows he has done no wrong is morally stronger than those who falsely accuse him are.

Cry over spilt milk.

to cry or complain about something that has already happened

8. World is but a little place, after all.

天涯原咫尺，到处可逢君

Explanation: it is used when a person meets someone he knows or is in someway connected with him in a place where he would never have expected to do so.

Example: Who would have thought I would bump into an old schoolmate on a trek up Mount Tai. The world is but a little place after all.

9. When in Rome, do as the Romans do.

入乡随俗

Explanation: conform to the manners and customs of those amongst whom you live.

Example: I know you have egg and bacon for breakfast at home, but now you are on the Continent you will do as the Romans do and take coffee and rolls.

10. What you lose on the swings you get back on the roundabouts.

失之东隅，收之桑榆

Explanation: a rough way of starting a law of average; if you have bad luck

on one day you have good on another; if one venture results in loss try a fresh one---it may succeed.

Example: he may always possess merits which make up for everything; if he loses on the swings, he may win on the roundabouts.

11. What are the odds so long as you are happy?

知足者常乐

Explanation: what does anything else matter if a person is happy?

Example: you complain so much, but you have good family, parents, health, and money. What’s the odd so long as you’re happy?

12．Entertain an angel unawares.

有眼不识泰山

Explanation: to receive a great personage as a guest without knowing his merits.

Example: in the course of evening someone informed her that she was entertaining an angel unawares, in the shape of a composer of the greatest

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