汉语成语、典故、俗语、谚语与歇后语英译

粗枝大叶thickbranchesandlargeleaves;(indoingthings,)donottakeduecare;carelessorcarelessly

粗枝大叶为联合结构，字面意义是，枝子很粗，叶子很大，很不精细。通常当马虎大意和粗心大意使用。翻译磨刀石（直译）声东击西刻骨铭心狗仗人势口蜜腹剑Shoutintheeastandstrikeinthewest(lookonewayandrowanother/sellthedummy)Beengravedinone’sheartandbones(remembertotheendofone’slife)Belikeadogcountingonitsmaster’sbacking(beabullyundertheprotectionofapowerfulperson)Tobehoney-mouthedanddagger-hearted(aJudaskiss)翻译磨刀石（意译）虚怀若谷如虎添翼噤若寒蝉指腹为婚Tobemodestandextremelyopen-mindedWithmightredoubled(withaddedstrength)KeepsilentoutoffearThetwohavebeenengagedtoeachotherbeforetheywereborn.(prenatalbetrothal)其他例子：挥金如土TothrowmoneyaboutlikedirtTospendmoneylikewater掌上明珠ApearlinthepalmTheappleofone’seyeThebeloveddaughter骨瘦如柴Tobeasthinassticks/alathTobeabagofbonesTobeskinandbones雪中送炭TosendcharcoalinsnowyweatherTohelpalamedogoverastile(台阶)Providetimelyhelp翻译磨刀石（套译）顺水行舟非驴非马日暮途穷本末倒置SailwiththewindNeitherfish,fleshnorfowlAttheendofone’sropePutthecartbeforethehorse粗枝大叶无孔不入扬眉吐气纸醉金迷开门见山单枪匹马风雨飘摇Tobecrudeandcareless(sloppy)tobeall-pervasive/seizeanyopportunityTofeelproudandelated/holdone’sheadhighAlifeofluxuryanddissipationTocomestraighttothepointTobesingle-handedindoingsomethingTobeinunstable/turbulenttimes这类成语一般用意译或者套译毛遂自荐叶公好龙南柯一梦四面楚歌锱铢必较罄竹难书初出茅庐倾国倾城悬梁刺股Tovolunteerone’sservicesProfessedloveofwhatonereallyfearsAfonddreamorillusoryjoyTobebesiegedonallsidesTohaggleovereverypenny(ofcrimes)toonumeroustoberecordedAtthebeginningofone’scareer(inexperienced)Tobeexceedinglybeautiful(gorgeous)Tobeextremelyhard-workinginone’sstudy意译套译小题大做赴汤蹈火洗心革面横行霸道过河拆桥乳臭未干格格不入魂不附体MakeamountainoutofamolehillGothroughfireandwaterTurnoveranewleafThrowone’sweightaboutKickdowntheladderBewetbehindtheearsBelikesquarepegsinroundholesJumpoutofone’sskin(tobescaredoutofone’swits)翻译磨刀石（历史故事和寓言英译）画龙点睛三顾茅庐掩耳盗铃杀鸡儆猴AddthetouchthatbringsaworkofarttolifeRepeatedlyrequestsomebodytotakeuparesponsiblepostPlugone’searswhilestealingabell(todeceiveoneself)Killthechickentofrightenthemonkey(punishsomeoneasawarningtoothers)杞人忧天

groundlessworry绕梁三日(ofasong)soexcellentastolettheaudiencefeelitlingeringforalongtime塞翁失马alossmayturnouttobeablessing闻鸡起舞diligentandself-disciplined煮豆燃萁todoharmtoone’sownbrothersorsisters初生牛犊不怕虎anewborncalfisn’tafraidofthetiger;ayoungsterisadaredevil.吃一堑，长一智afallinpit,againinwit;Wisdomcomesbysuffering;theburntchilddreadsfire;experienceteaches人不可貌相，海水不可斗量don’tjudgeamanbyhisappearanceanddon’tmeasuretheseawithadouorbucket;hemaybemorecapablethanhelooks;amanmayhavemorepotentialthanyouknow.祸兮福所依，福兮祸所伏

fortuneormisfortunemayleadtotheopposite.闻所未闻hearingwhathasneverbeenheardbefore;rarelyorseldomheardof闻所未闻为动宾结构，字面意义是听到了从未听到过的，通常用于指事理或论述的新鲜、奇特。

盛气凌人soarrogantastoimposeoneselfuponothers;arrogantordomineeringinmanner盛气凌人为主谓结构，字面意义是骄横傲慢以气势压人，通常与不可一世、咄咄逼人等词语同义。

洋洋得意extremelypleasedastobetooproud;pleasedandtooproud;pleasedtotheextentofbeingtooproud

洋洋得意也可以说成得意洋洋。洋洋得意是偏正结构，洋洋修饰得意；得意洋洋也是偏正结构，具体地说是动补结构，但依然是洋洋修饰得意。字面意义是满意到了骄傲的地步，得意到溢于言表。

小心翼翼particularlycareful,extremelycautious小心翼翼为偏正结构，翼翼用做补语修饰小心。翼翼的字面意义是多多，小心翼翼的字面意义是小心多多，使用时的意义为非常小心、特别谨慎，几乎有点过分。

见异思迁changeone’sminduponseeingsomethingnew;beinconsistentininclination

剜肉补疮cutfleshtopatchanulcerate;takeshort-termmeasurestodosomethingwhichrequireslong-termmeasurestobetaken;topullthroughalightcrisisorsolveaproblemattheexpensesofthefuture

调虎离山lurethetigersothatitwillleavethemountainwhereitlives;luresomebodytoleavehisadvantageouslocationsoastooverwhelmhim

脍炙人口slicedandroastmeatispleasanttoeverybody’staste;poemsandpiecesofprosearesoexcellentastopleaseeveryreader脍炙人口中，脍是切成精细的小片的鱼肉或肉，炙是烤肉。脍炙人口为紧缩结构，字面意义是，好吃的东西人人都爱吃，多用于比喻好的诗文令大家赏心悦目。

昂首阔步marchwithheadraisedstiffly;strideproudlyahead昂首阔步为联合结构，字面意义为，昂着头大踏步向前迈进。用时多有意气风发、斗志昂扬的意思，有时略有态度高傲的意思。

半途而废stophalfway;giveuphalfway半途而废为偏正结构，字面意义是，走到半路上就不走了，用时多比喻做事干到一半就放弃了，含有惋惜甚至责备的意思。

不学无术oneisnotskilledwithanythingduetothefactthathedoesnotstudywell;beincompetentduetoone’signorance;incompetentandignorant不学无术为联合结构，不学和无术间既可理解为并列关系，也可理解为因果关系。因此字面意义为，由于不学习而没有本领，也可以理解为，既没有学问也没有本领。用于他人多含贬义，用于自己多表自谦。

触类旁通knowledgeofanexampleenablesonetounderstandtherelevantcategory;comprehendsomethingbyanalogy;understandthingsofakindupontouchinganexample触类旁通为连动结构，含有如果触类了就可以旁通的因果意义，因此，本义是接触到某一类知识，就懂得了类似的或相关的知识。用时多用本义。

奋不顾身(inchargingtheenemyoraccomplishingariskytask,)paynoattentiontoone’slifesecurity;regardlessofone’ssecurityorlife奋不顾身为偏正结构，意思为勇往直前到不顾个人安危的地步，用时多用本义。

泰然处之behaviorwithcomposure;notslightlyaffected

泰然处之为偏正结构，意思为遇到事情能冷静对待，用时多用本义。有时也用泰然自若。

想入非非indulgeinfantasy;beunrealisticorillusory

想入非非为主谓结构，意思是思考问题时想法不符合实际，用时多用本义。

心怀叵测harborevilintentionsatheartthatarenotpredictable;ill-intentioned

心怀叵测为主谓结构，意思是心中怀着难以估测的歹意，用时多用本义。另一种说法为居心叵测。

无地自容feelsoashamedastofindnoplacetohideoneselfin;feeltooashamedtoseeothers

无地自容为连动结构，本意是因做错了事而羞愧到了极点，羞于见人却又找不到藏身的地方，用时多用本义。

忠心耿耿bewhole-heartedlyloyal;beextremelyloyal忠心耿耿为主谓结构，意思是非常忠诚，用时多用本义。

自惭形秽beashamedofone’sinferiorappearance;feelinferior自惭形秽为主谓结构，本意是因看到自己的容貌举止不如别人而感到惭愧，现在通常使用的意思是因感到自己不如别人而非常惭愧。百步穿杨Toshootanarrowthroughawillowleafatthedistanceof100steps;extremelygoodatshootingNote:TheallusiongoesbacktoYangYouji,anexcellentshooterintheZhouDynasty,whocouldshootanarrowatawillowleafonehundredstepsawayandnevermissedthetarget.

班女之才(ofafemale)ascapableasBanZhao;talented

典出《后汉书.列女传》，有关情节可大致简述如下。班女名班昭，班彪之妹。班彪编著《汉书》，剩下八表和《天文志》没有写完就去世了。班昭接替其兄，完成了他的未竟之业，她还是皇后与贵人的老师，被认为是极富才学的女性。班女之才多用于描写才高的女性。Note:HistoricrecordshaveitthatBanNü,whosenameisBanZhao,theyoungersisterofBanBiao,ahistorianfamousforhismonumentalworkofAHistoryoftheHanDynasty.However,thehistoriandiedleavingthewritingunfinished.ThenBanZhaowasassignedthetaskandcompletedthewriting.Forhertalent,BanZhaowasalsoappointedtutorfortheempressandtheemperor’sconcubines.

伯乐相马BoLeisverycapableofdiscoveringbesthorses;ascapableasBoLeindiscoveringtalentsNote:QuYuan,afamousChinesepoetoftheStateofChuintheWarringStateperiod,believeditthatBoLewasverycapableofdiscoveringbesthorses.Theallusionisnowoftenusedtorefertopersonscapableofdiscoveringandfosteringtalents.

东施效颦AnuglygirlfollowsthesuitoftheprettyladyXishibyknittinghereyebrows;imitateawkwardly

董狐直笔DongHu,ahistorianinSpringandAutumnperiod,recordedhistoricfactsastheywerewithoutanydistortiontoappeaseofficialsfortheirvanity;(inrecordinghistoricevents)callaspadeaspadeasDongHudidNote:HistoricrecordshaveitthatduringtheSpringandAutumnperiod,whenDukeLingofJinwasgoingtokillZhaoDun,whothenescapedbyrunningaway,ZhaoDun’sdistantbrotherZhaoChuantookarmedforcestoattackthedukeandkilledhiminapeachgarden.DongHu,thehistorian,believedthatitwasanactofregicideonthepartofZhaoDunandrecordedtheactinhistorythiswaydespiteZhaoDun’soverwhelmingpowerthatmightthreatenhislife.Theallusionislaterusedtorefertospeakingfrankly.

负荆请罪Tomakeapologybycarryingatwigofthechastetreeandaskingtheonetowhomtheapologyismadetobeathimorher;makinganactiveapologyNote:HistoricrecordshaveitthatLianPoandLingXiangruwerecourtiersoftheStateofZhao.LianPowasthefamousgeneralatthetime.Bornhumbly,LingXiangruwaspromotedtothepositionhigherthanLianPo’sforhisoutstandingcontributionsinthestrugglesagainsttheStateofQin.ThismadeLianPojealousandtriedtoslightLingXiangru,whothoughtthatifheandLianPowereindiscordorconflict,thentheStateofQinwouldtaketheopportunitytoinvadetheStateofZhao.Therefore,LingXiangrualwaystriedtoavoidanypossibleconflictwiththegeneral.Havinglearnedofthis,LianPorealizedthathewaswrongandwenttoLingXiangru’smansiontomakeapologybycarryingatwigandaskingLingXiangrutobeathimforhiswrongdoings.

风声鹤唳Totakethemoanofwindandthecryofcranesforenemy’sshouting;fearfulatanyslightomen;veryapprehensiveNote:HistoricrecordshaveitthatwhenQianQin,astateonthenorth,wasutterlydefeatedbyDongJin,astateonthesouth,ontheirwayofescaping,QianQin’sgeneralsandsoldierstookthemoanofwindandthecryofcranesforenemy’sshouting,andgrassandtreesforenemy’schasingforces.Thisallusionisnowusedtorefertopeople’sgroundlessfears.

邯郸学步典出《庄子.秋水》，有关情节可大致简述如下。古代燕国有一个少年看到邯郸人走路姿态很优美，就学他们的样子走路，结果没有学会，反而将自己原来的走路方法也忘了，只好爬着回去。后来用这个典故形容人们盲目地模仿他人，结果反而弄糟了。TowalkaspeopleofHandando;toimitateawkwardlyNote:LegendhasitthatayoungsterfromtheStateofYansawthattheHandans’walkwasverygracefulandthentriedtoacquirethewalkingmannerbutonlytofindthathedidnotlearnanythingatallandhadforgottenhowheoriginallywalked.Therefore,hehadtocrawlallthewaybackhome.Theallusionisnowusedtoridiculethosewhoimitateblindly.

惊弓之鸟Abirdthatfelldownatthesoundofanarrowlessshooting;adeadlyfrightenedpersonNote:TraditionhasitthatGengLeiandthekingoftheStateofWeiwereoncetogether,seeingabirdflyingacrossthesky.GengLeisaidtothekingthatifheshotwithoutanarrow,thebirdwouldalsofalldown.ThekingdidnotbelieveitandGengLeididashehadsaidandthebirdreallyfelldown.ItturnedoutthatthebirdhadbeenwoundedbyapreviousshootingandwasfrighteneddownatthesoundofGengLei’sarrowlessshooting.Theallusionisnowusedtorefertopeoplewho,havingexperiencedacrisisordanger,arestillaffectedbythelingeringfear.劳燕分飞典出《乐府诗集.东飞伯劳歌》，有关诗文的细节可大致简述如下。劳为伯劳鸟，它和燕子一个飞到东，一个飞到西，两下分开了。后来用之比喻夫妻或情侣两离分。ThebirdofBoLaoandthesparrowflyapart;beseparatedNote:Inapoem,itwassaidthatthebirdofBoLaoandthesparrowflewseparatelyoneeastwardandtheotherwestward.Theallusionisnowusedtorefertoseparationofacoupleorlovers.

孟母三迁典出《烈女传》，有关情节可大致简述如下。为了孟子和其他孩子有一个良好的成长环境，孟母（孟子的母亲）三次搬家以避免不好的成长环境。后来人们常用此典褒奖那些教子有方的女性，有时也用以指好邻居。ThemotherofMenciusmovedtheirhomethreetimes;movingone’shomeforthedesiredenvironmentfortheeducationofone’schildrenNote:TraditionhasitthatMrsMeng,motherofMencius,movedherhomethreetimesforanidealneighborhoodfortheeducationofhersonMenciusandhisbrothers.Theallusionisnowusedtogivepraisetothosewhoaregoodateducatingtheiryoung.女娲补天典出《淮南子.览冥训》，有关情节可大致简述如下。古代天的四极是残缺的，神人伏羲的妹妹女娲炼五色石以补天，斩断巨鳌的足来支撑四极。后来人们常用此典来褒奖人们救国救难、匡正乾坤的壮举，也用于指治理灾难。NüWapatchesthesky;tosavethepopulacebypatchingtheskyordoingagreatdeedNote:Legendhasitthatwhentheskyandtheearthbegantoseparate,thefourcornersoftheskywerefragmentary.ThenNüWa,FuXi’ssister,fosteredstonesofcolortopatchtheskyandcutthefourlegsfromagianttortoiseaspolestosupportthesky.Inthisway,shecontributedagreatdealtothemankind.Theallusionisnowusedtosuchheroicdeedsassalvationofthenationorpullingthepeoplethroughcrisisornaturaldisasters.杞人忧天AcertainpersonfromtheStateofQiworriesthattheskywouldfalldownandhewouldhavenoplacetoharborhimself;groundlessworryNote:LegendhasitthatacertainpersonfromtheStateofQiworriedthattheskywouldsomedayfalldownandhethenwouldhavenoplacetoshelterhimselffromthedisaster.Heworrieddayandnightastoneglecthismealandsleep.Theallusionnowappliestothecaseofgroundlessworry.

绕梁三日也有说成余音绕梁的，典出《列子.汤问》，有关情节可大致简述如下。古代有个叫韩娥的歌手，在去齐国的路上没有办法，在雍门卖唱乞食。唱得很好，走了之后三天之内人们仍感到余音未散，仿佛还在梁间回绕。后来用此典形容优美的歌曲。Whirlingaroundthebeamforthreedays;(ofasong)soexcellentastolettheaudiencefeelitlingeringforalongtimeNote:Legendhasitthatinancienttime,HanEonceonthewaytotheStateofQihadnofoodbuttobegbysinging.Shesangsobeautifullythatthreedaysaftersheleft,theaudiencestillfeltthatthesongwaslingeringinthehall.Theallusionnowappliestothedescriptionofexcellentsongsormusic.塞翁失马Thefrontiersmanloseshishorse;alossmayturnouttobeablessingNote:Legendhasitthatafrontiersmanoncelosthishorseandhisneighborscametocomforthim.However,hesaidtotheneighborsthatthelossmightturnouttobeablessing.Later,thehorsecamebackwithanotherhorseoftheTartarsandthenhisneighborscametoextendtheircongratulations.However,hesaidontheoccasionthattheblessingmightturnouttobeamisfortune.Itreallysohappenedthathissonrodethehorse,felldownfromitandhadhislegbroken.Andthestorycontinuesinthatline.Theallusionnowappliestocomfortingotherswhentheyhaveabadfortune.

闻鸡起舞Togetoutofbedtoexerciseoneselfwhenthecockcrowsinthemiddlenight;diligentandself-disciplinedNote:HistoricrecordshaveitthatZuDiandLiuKunweregoodfriendsontheirpostsassecretariesandspenttheirnightsonthesamebed.Oncetheyheardcockscrowinthemiddlenight.ThenZuDiwokeupLiuKunandsaidtohimthatcockscrowinginthemiddlenightwasn’tabadthingandtheyrosetoexercisethemselves.相濡以沫典出《庄子.大宗师》，有关意思可大简述如下。水干了，鱼被困于干地，亟需水来维持生命，于是相互吐沫以湿润对方。后来多用此典指在困境中相互救助，也指老年夫妻或一般夫妇相依为命。Tomoisteneachotherwithpitwhenwaterbecomesdry;tohelpeachotherinthetimeofneed;(ofanagingcoupleoracoupleingeneral)tohelpeachotherintheirremaininglifeorlifeingeneralNote:Legendhasitthatwhenwaterbecamedry,fishwereindifficultyonthedrylandsothattheypittedtomoisteneachother.Theallusionisnowusedtomeanhelpeachotherinthetimeofneedthoughthehelperisalsoinvolvedindifficultyortodescribeanagingcouplewhohelpeachotherintheirremainingtimeoranycouplewhohelpeachotherintheirlife.一饭千金Amealingive,athousandtaelsofgoldinreturn;tocherishothers’kindnessatheartandrepayitNote:Historicrecordshaveitthatwhenyoung,HanXinwasinpovertyandoftenwentfishingbytherivernearatown.Hehadnofoodtosupporthimselfandonseeingthis,ayarnrinsingoldladygavehimhalfofherownmeal.Shehaddonethisfortensofdaysonend.Appreciativeofherkindness,HanXinsaidtotheladyonhisdeparturethatifhecouldclimbhigh,hewouldreturnherkindnessbygivingherathousandtaelsofgold.ThenHanXinhelpedLiuBanginutterlydefeatingXiangYuandestablishingtheHanDynasty.Forhiscontribution,HanXinwasappointedKingoftheKingdomofChu.Thencallingtheladytohisofficialmansion,HanXingaveherathousandtaelsofgoldashehadpromised.Theallusionisnowusedtomeanrepayingothers’kindness.

张耳陈余典出《史记.张耳陈余列传》，有关情节可大致简述如下。张耳陈余都是秦末汉初人，起初为刎颈之交，后来起兵反秦，因产生嫌隙，积怨日深，相互交恶，乃至兵戎相见。后来用此典指势利之交，不能永远。NotdevotedtoeachotherthroughoutlikeZhangErandChenYu;disloyalfriendsNote:HistoricrecordshaveitthatZhangErandChenYuweregreatfiguresbytheendoftheQinDynastyoratthebeginningoftheHanDynasty.Atfirst,theywerebosomfriendsandtookarmiestooverthrowtheQinDynasty.Forreasons,discordsdevelopedbetweenthemandfinallytheybecameenemiesandattackedeachothersbyresortingtoarmedforces.Theallusionisnowusedtorefertodisloyalfriends.

煮豆燃萁典出《世说新语.文学》，有关故事可大致简述如下。三国期间，魏文帝曹丕妒忌其弟曹植的才能，经常找茬子整他。有一天，他限令曹植在七步之内口吟一首诗，否则就要杀他的头。曹植果然有才，踱到第七步口吟五言诗一首。大意是说，用豆秸煮豆子，豆子在锅中哭泣着对豆秸说，我们本是同根生的，你何苦苦苦相逼呢？后人多用这个典故指手足相残，有时也用之指才思敏捷。Toboilbeansbyburningbeanstalks;todoharmtoone’sownbrothersorsistersNote:TraditionhasitthatduringtheThreeKingdomperiod,CaoPi,EmperorWenoftheKingdomofWei,wasjealousofhisbrotherCaoZhi’stalent.ThenheoftentriedtofindexcusetokillCaoZhi.OnceCaoPiorderedCaoZhitopacesevenstepsandwithinthedurationoftimeheshouldcomposeapoem.Otherwise,hewouldimposecapitalpunishmentonCaoZhi.Reallytalented,onfinishingtheseventhstep,hecomposedapoem,whichroughlyreads:Beingboiledbythebeanstalksburning,thebeaninthewokcried,saying:Stalksandbeansarekinthough,whyshouldyouburnmehardso?Thisallusionisnowusedtodescribetheactofdoingharmtoone’sbrotheroranyotherbloodrelative.

不看僧面看佛面don’tblamethemonkfortheBuddha’sake;don’tblametheinferiorortheyoungforthesakeofhissuperiorortheold;forgiveonepersonforanother’ssake不怕官，只怕管notafraidofanofficialbutafraidofanadministrator;itisnottheofficialbutthepersondirectlyinchargethatmatters不听老人言，吃苦在眼前don’tlistentoyouroldpeopleandyouwillsufferverysoon;takingtheadvicefortheoldgenerationwillsaveyoufromtroubleorsuffering不撞南墙不回头hewillnotturnbackuntilhebumpsontothesouthernwall;hewillgoaheaduntilblocked;hewillgoaheaduntilreachingthedeadend不做亏心事，不怕鬼敲门ifyoudon’tcommitanysin,youwillnotbeafraidofthedevilknockingatyourdoor;anuprightmanisn’tafraidofanything财大气粗awealthymanspeakslouder;moneytalks差之毫厘，失之千里anerrorthebreadthofasinglehaircanleadyouathousandliastray;aslightesterrorcanleadtoagreatestdeviation;aslightcarelessnesscanleadtoaseveremistake成事不足，败事有余unabletoaccomplishanythingbutlikelytospoileverything;impossibletoachievebutpossibletoruin胜者为王，败者为寇victorious,youwillbeaking,butdefeated,youwillbeabandit;victorymakesakingofthewinnerwhiledefeatmakesabanditoftheloser;whetheryouwillbeakingorabanditdependsonwhetheryoucanwinornot吃不了兜着走ifyoucan’teatitup,youhavetotakeitaway;getmorethanonehasbargainedfor;youwillhavetotakefullresponsibilityifyouareover-engaged痴心女子负心郎aheart-devotedladymeetsaheartlessman;aheart-devotedladybutaheartlessman船到码头车到站aboatreachesitsharborandabusitsstation;onewhohascompletedhisworkwillretirelikeaboatreachingitsharbororabusreachingitsstation春雨贵如油thespringrainisasdearasvegetableoil;thespringrainisdearerthanoil聪明一世，糊涂一时intelligentforlifebutmuddledforamoment;confusedforthetimebeingforthatintelligentman打狗要看主人面whenyouarebeatingadog,youhavetotaketheownerintoconsideration;don’tbeatthedogfortheowner’ssake;loveme,lovemydog打人休打脸，骂人休揭短inbeatingaperson,don’tslaphisface,andincondemningaperson,don’tdisclosehisweakness;becarefulwithhisdignityincriticizingaperson;becarefulwiththeirdignityeveninconflictwithothers打是亲，骂是爱beatingisaffectionandabusingislove;superficialbeatingandabusingrevealprofoundaffectionandtruelove打肿脸充胖子pretendingtobeafatmanbyslappinghisownfaceswollen;pretendingtobeawealthyman大人不记小人过manofhighpositiondon’tcareaboutthemistakeofapersonoflowerposition;manofdignitywillcertainlyforgiveahumbleman;broadmindedasyouare,youwon’ttakemymistakeintoheart大事化小，小事化了reducinggreattroubletosmall,andsmalltonothing实践出真知，斗争长才干genuineknowledgecomesfrompractice,struggleimprovesone’scompetence新来乍到，摸不着锅灶anewcomerisn’tfamiliarwitheitherpotsorthekitchenrange;anewcomerhastofamiliarizehimselfbeforestartingwork不入虎穴，焉得虎子ifyoudon’tenterthetiger’slair,howcanyoucatchthecubs?youcan’tachievethegoalwithoutarisk当家才知柴米贵，养儿才报父母恩youwon’thaveanyideaofthehighpricesforriceandfirewoodbeforerunningahouse,andyouwon’trepayyourparentsuntilyouhaveyourownsonsanddaughters;experienceteachestheyounghowtolive看花容易绣花难it’seasytoappreciatethantoembroider;youwon’tknowthedifficultyuntilyouareengagedinthework事大事小，人到便了whetheritmattersornot,yourcomingwilldrivethetroubleout初生牛犊不怕虎anewborncalfisn’tafraidofthetiger;ayoungsterisadaredevil吃一堑，长一智afallinpit,againinwit;experienceteaches脑越用越灵，手越用越巧thinkingimprovesone’sintelligenceandworkingone’sskills;workingimprovesone’sintelligenceandskills人不可貌相，海水不可斗量don’tjudgeamanbyhisappearanceanddon’tmeasuretheseawithadouorbucket;hemaybemorecapablethanhelooks;amanmayhavemorepotentialthanyouknow老马识途anoldhorserecognizesthewayback;anoldhandisagoodguide生姜还是老的辣oldgingerprovesmorepungent;anoldhandhasmoreexperience无古不成今anymoderntimehasahistory;moderntimesarebasedonhistory旧的不去，新的不来ifyouwon’tdiscardtheoldarticle,howcanyougetthenewone?discardtheoldarticleandyou’llhavetogetanewone尺有所短，寸有所长onsomeoccasions,achi,consistingoftencun,mightproveshorterwhileacun,atenthofachi,mightprovelonger;thestrongermayhaveweaknesswhiletheweakermayhavestrength;theadvantageousmayhavedisadvantagewhilethedisadvantageousmayhaveadvantage不怕一万，就怕万一notafraidoftenthousandsbutafraidofaten-thousandth;alwayspreparedfortheunexpectedriskinamilliondoings;takeeverycarejustincase有利必有弊advantagesarenecessarilyaccompaniedbydisadvantages十个指头有长短，荷花出水有高低outofthetenfingers,somearelongerthanothers,andsimilarly,oflotusflowers,somearehigherthanothers;differencesareonlytoonatural祸兮福所依，福兮祸所伏misfortunesmaypromisefortuneswhilefortunesmaypromisemisfortunes;fortuneormisfortunemayleadtotheopposite磨刀不误砍柴工sharpeningyourknifewon’twasteyourtimeforcuttingyourfaggot;preparationmayquickentheprocess火爆玉米——开心则利用爆过的玉米，里面被炸开来的形象来比喻开心。另外，还有利用歧义的。对于不同的歇后语，在翻译过程中，我们采取不同的处理方法。涉及谐音和歧义的，如果没有现成的谐音和歧义译文可资翻译之需，我们就增加注解；涉及典故的，我们也增加注解。其他歇后语我们就采取先翻译字面意义，后翻译常用意义或适当地予以阐释的方法予以处理。下面我们选择20个歇后语并按照上述原则对之进行英译。

门里出身——强人三分bornintoafamilyofaspecialline——moreadvantageousthanothersby30percent；amanwithspecializedtrainingisstrongerthanotherswithoutsuchbackgrounds铁打的馒头——一个硬似一个mantoumadeofiron——oneharderthananother；theyarelikesteamedbreadmadeofiron,oneisharder,morestubbornordeterminedthananother火爆玉米——开心ablastedcorngrain——openedatheartorhappyatheart;likeablastedcorngrainwithinsideout,thepersonconcernedisexhilarated八仙聚会——又说又笑agatheringofEightImmortals——speakingandlaughing;liketheEightImmortalsatagathering,theyaretalkingandlaughingmerrilyNote:TheEightImmortalsrefertotheeightTaoistsinaChineselegend,namely,HanZhongli,ZhangGuolao,LüDongbin,TieguaiLi,HanXiangzi,CaoGuojiu,LanCaiheandHeXiangu.王羲之写字——横竖都好acharacteroutofWangXizhi’shand——verticalstrokesareasgoodashorizontalones;likeWangXizhi’scalligraphy,itisgoodineverywayNote:WangXizhiwasafamousChinesecalligrapherandaChinesecharacterisusuallycomposedofstrokes,ofwhichtheverticalandhorizontalonesarethemostcommonlyused.Hengshuherehastwointerpretations:1)thehorizontalandverticalstrokes;2)horizontallyorvertically,thatis,inanyway.饭店里卖服装——有吃有穿sellingclothesataninn——enoughtoeatandenoughtowear;likeadepartmentstorewithaninninit,thereisenoughtoeatandenoughtowear;inadepartmentstorewithaninninit,youwillhaveadecentliving李双双见到丈夫——有喜旺（希望）了LiShuangshuangseesherhusband——shehasXiwangnow;likeLiShuangshuangmeetingherhusbandXiwang,ahomophonefortheChinesewordxiwangmeaninghope,thereishopenowNote:TherewasafilmentitledLiShuangshuang,ofwhichtheheroisSunXiwang,whosegivennameisahomophoneforxiwang,meaninghopeinChinese,andtheheroineisLiShuangshuang,Xiwang’swife.井底雕花——深刻carvingaflowerdesignonthebottomofawell——carvingdeeplyorgettotheessenceofsomethingNote:theChinesewordshenkeisambiguousinthattheliteralmeaningofthewordmeanscarvingdeeplywhilethefigurativemeaningisprofoundorgettingtheessenceofsomething.运动场上赛标枪——寸土必争throwingjavelinsonasportsground——striveforeveryinchoftheland;likethrowingjavelinsonasportsground,theyfightforeveryinchoflandNote:TheChinesewordcuntubizhengcanbeinterpretedambiguouslyinthatononehand,itcanbeinterpretedasstrivingforeveryinchoflandonthesportsfieldbutontheother,itcanbeinterpretedasstrivingforeveryinchoflandinabattleorstrivingforanybenefitinastruggleorbusinessconfrontation.长工吃犒劳——难得的好处hiredhandsenjoyingrewardedfoodanddrinks——anunusualprivilege;likerewardedfoodanddrinksofferedtohiredhands,itisanunusualprivilege王小二过年——一年不