每一种语言都有传递其文化内涵和智慧的谚语,具有悠久历史的中文自不必说,但西方的英语虽然历史不长,却同样有很多谚语或歇后语,蕴含着生活的哲理和智慧。
1、 Don't look a gift house in the mouth.
意指不要在赠马的口里查看(因为从马嘴里的牙齿可看出马的年龄)。言外之意指不要批评、挑剔礼物,老师、家长通常都会用这个道理教育小孩。
活学活用:
horse — Eat like a horse. 指大吃的人。
— Work like a horse. 做事苦干、实干。
— Tell that to the horses! 指这些话只能骗外行去吧!
Horse gear — 马具Horse master — 驯马师Horsewhip — 马鞭
gift — Do not spoil your child with too many gifts. 不要送太多礼物,以免宠坏孩子。
— Tom is a person of many gifts. 汤姆是个多才的人。
— We are all gifted (动词)with conscience. 我们都有天赋的良心。
2、 What the eye does not see, the heart does not grieve over.意为眼不见心不悲伤,眼不见心不烦。
一些人麻木漠视他人处境用这句为藉口,其实多关心身边的不平之事,伸出援手,世界才会是“a much better place to live!”
活学活用:
eye — have an eye for the beautiful. 有审美眼光。
— keep an eye on your bag. 小心你的手袋。
— his eyes are bigger than his belly. 指人眼阔肚窄,不自量力。
— eyes in the potatoes 马铃薯出芽— eye (动词)her with jealousy 妒忌地看着她。
grieve:悲伤(动词);grief (名词)
— He grieved for the death of his father. 他哀伤父亲的离世。
— The loss of OLD Yellow brought grief to the whole family. 全家人都为老黄(狗名)死去而悲伤。