Don't translate it word by word
WHAT do you do when you have a perfect Chinese expression but don't know its English equivalent? Translating it word by word might end up with a perfect Chinglish sentence.
Here are some typical Chinglish expressions and their correct English versions.
1. 人山人海
Chinglish:
People mountain people sea.
English:
1) There is a large/huge crowd of people.
2) A sea of faces.
Looking out upon the sea of faces, Mr Green delivered a touching speech.
(看著一片人山人海的聽眾，格林先生發(fā)表了一篇動人的演說。)
2. 天下沒有不散的宴席
Chinglish:
There are no feasts in the world that do not break up at last.
English:
1) All good things come to an end.
2) Eventually, even close friends drift apart.
3. 一箭雙雕
Chinglish:
One arrow, two birds.
English:
Kill two birds with one stone.
4. 掛羊頭，賣狗肉
Chinglish:
The store hangs up a sheep's head and sells dog meat.
English:
1) The store uses false advertising. (這家店打了虛假廣告。)
2) They say one thing and do another. (他們說一套做一套。)
5. 一言既出，駟馬難追
Chinglish:
One word lets loose and four horses will fail to catch it.
English:
1) A word once let go cannot be recalled.
2) You can't take back what you've said. (你說出去的話，就不能再收回來。)
6. 禍從口出，言多必失
Chinglish:
The mouth is the gate of misfortune and evil.
English:
1) Careless talk leads to trouble.
2) The less said the better.
3) Loose lips sink ships (from World War II).
WHAT do you do when you have a perfect Chinese expression but don't know its English equivalent? Translating it word by word might end up with a perfect Chinglish sentence.
Here are some typical Chinglish expressions and their correct English versions.
1. 人山人海
Chinglish:
People mountain people sea.
English:
1) There is a large/huge crowd of people.
2) A sea of faces.
Looking out upon the sea of faces, Mr Green delivered a touching speech.
(看著一片人山人海的聽眾，格林先生發(fā)表了一篇動人的演說。)
2. 天下沒有不散的宴席
Chinglish:
There are no feasts in the world that do not break up at last.
English:
1) All good things come to an end.
2) Eventually, even close friends drift apart.
3. 一箭雙雕
Chinglish:
One arrow, two birds.
English:
Kill two birds with one stone.
4. 掛羊頭，賣狗肉
Chinglish:
The store hangs up a sheep's head and sells dog meat.
English:
1) The store uses false advertising. (這家店打了虛假廣告。)
2) They say one thing and do another. (他們說一套做一套。)
5. 一言既出，駟馬難追
Chinglish:
One word lets loose and four horses will fail to catch it.
English:
1) A word once let go cannot be recalled.
2) You can't take back what you've said. (你說出去的話，就不能再收回來。)
6. 禍從口出，言多必失
Chinglish:
The mouth is the gate of misfortune and evil.
English:
1) Careless talk leads to trouble.
2) The less said the better.
3) Loose lips sink ships (from World War II).