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你有碰過乞丐跟你乞食還要求這要求那的嗎?如果真有這種乞丐的話,那也太不識相了,因為哪有跟人乞討還挑三揀四的?
英文裡有一句俚語”Beggars can’t be choosers(乞丐沒得挑)”,就是指即使自己並不喜歡或滿意,但畢竟是有求於人,當然是有什麼算什麼,也就是我們中文裡常說的「人在屋簷下,不得不低頭」的意思了。
另外,”Beggars can’t be choosers” 也有「飢不擇食」的意思,端看語句的前後脈絡來做翻譯。
Steve:Dear, I was just wondering if you could possibly spare some of your precious time with me next week?
Steve:親愛的,我在想不知道下個禮拜有沒有可能把一些你寶貴的時間留給我呢?
Stella:Wow, I’ve never seen you talking like this in my whole life.
Stella:哇,我這輩子從沒聽你這樣說過話呢。
Steve:I really hope you could help me with my presentation. It’s a matter of life and death.
Steve:我非常希望你能協助我的簡報。這可是攸關生死的大事呢。
Stella:No worry. Of course I will help you. The only problem is timing.
Stella:別擔心。我會幫你的。問題是時間方面。
Steve:You’re not around next week?
Steve:你下禮拜不在嗎?
Stella: I am. It’s just I’ve got some important things to sort out next week and I’m afraid the only time I’m available is Friday evening.
Stella:我在啊。只是我有幾件重要的事情要處理,我恐怕只有禮拜五晚上才能幫你。
Steve:No problem at all.
Steve:沒問題啊。
Stella: But don’t you normally go out with your girl friend on Friday evening? Every time when we asked you out on Friday evening, you could never make it.
Stella:可是禮拜五晚上你不是都要陪女友嗎?之前每次找你一起出去,你從來就沒答應過。
Steve:It’s different this time. You are doing me a big favor and of course it needs to fit your schedule.
Steve:這次不同啊。是你在幫我大忙,當然要配合你的時間囉。
Stella:Just like they always say “beggars can’t be choosers!”
Stella:這可真是所謂的「人在屋簷下,不得不低頭」啊 !
Steve:You bet!
Steve:當然囉!
英文裡有一句俚語”Beggars can’t be choosers(乞丐沒得挑)”,就是指即使自己並不喜歡或滿意,但畢竟是有求於人,當然是有什麼算什麼,也就是我們中文裡常說的「人在屋簷下,不得不低頭」的意思了。
另外,”Beggars can’t be choosers” 也有「飢不擇食」的意思,端看語句的前後脈絡來做翻譯。
Steve:Dear, I was just wondering if you could possibly spare some of your precious time with me next week?
Steve:親愛的,我在想不知道下個禮拜有沒有可能把一些你寶貴的時間留給我呢?
Stella:Wow, I’ve never seen you talking like this in my whole life.
Stella:哇,我這輩子從沒聽你這樣說過話呢。
Steve:I really hope you could help me with my presentation. It’s a matter of life and death.
Steve:我非常希望你能協助我的簡報。這可是攸關生死的大事呢。
Stella:No worry. Of course I will help you. The only problem is timing.
Stella:別擔心。我會幫你的。問題是時間方面。
Steve:You’re not around next week?
Steve:你下禮拜不在嗎?
Stella: I am. It’s just I’ve got some important things to sort out next week and I’m afraid the only time I’m available is Friday evening.
Stella:我在啊。只是我有幾件重要的事情要處理,我恐怕只有禮拜五晚上才能幫你。
Steve:No problem at all.
Steve:沒問題啊。
Stella: But don’t you normally go out with your girl friend on Friday evening? Every time when we asked you out on Friday evening, you could never make it.
Stella:可是禮拜五晚上你不是都要陪女友嗎?之前每次找你一起出去,你從來就沒答應過。
Steve:It’s different this time. You are doing me a big favor and of course it needs to fit your schedule.
Steve:這次不同啊。是你在幫我大忙,當然要配合你的時間囉。
Stella:Just like they always say “beggars can’t be choosers!”
Stella:這可真是所謂的「人在屋簷下,不得不低頭」啊 !
Steve:You bet!
Steve:當然囉!
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問:英文成語 beggars can't be choosers中文往往譯做「飢不擇食」,但這兩句成語的意思,似乎有點不同,先生認為怎樣?
答:中英成語,很少是絕對同義的。「飢不擇食」是指「需要急迫,顧不得細加選擇」; beggars can't be choosers本作 beggars must not be choosers,直譯是「討飯的不能挑肥揀瘦」,可以有「飢不擇食」的意思,但也可以有「飢餓就不要選擇了」的規勸含義
答:中英成語,很少是絕對同義的。「飢不擇食」是指「需要急迫,顧不得細加選擇」; beggars can't be choosers本作 beggars must not be choosers,直譯是「討飯的不能挑肥揀瘦」,可以有「飢不擇食」的意思,但也可以有「飢餓就不要選擇了」的規勸含義