英语中12个典型的中国式错误
http://www.51talk.com/bbs/content.php?id=443
Sherry2014-08-27 16:36:21
1. 这个价格对我挺合适的。 误:The price is very suitable for me.正:The price is right.提示:suitable(合适的、相配的)最常见的用法是以否定的形式出现在告示或通知上,如:下列节目儿童不宜。The following programme is not suitable for children.这句话用后面的说法会更合适。
2. 你是做什么工作的呢?误:What's your job?正:Are you working at the moment? What kind of work are you?提示:what's your job这种说法难道也有毛病吗?是的。因为如果您的谈话对象刚刚失业,如此直接的问法会让对方有失面子,所以您要问:目前您是在上班吗?Are you working at the moment?接下来您才问:目前您在哪儿工作呢?Where are you working these days?或者您从事哪个行业呢?What line of work are you in?
3. 用英语怎么说?误:How to say?正:How do you say this in English?提示:How to say是在中国最为泛滥成灾的中国式英语之一,这绝不是地道的英语说法。同样的句子有:请问这个词如何拼写?How do you spell that please?请问这个单词怎么读?How do you pronounce this word?
4. 明天我有事情要做。误:I have something to do tomorrow.正:I am tied up all day tomorrow.提示:用I have something to do来表示您很忙,这也完全是中国式的说法。因为每时每刻我们都有事情要做,躺在那里睡大觉也是事情。所以您可以说我很忙,脱不开身:I'm tied up.还有其他的说法:I can't make it at that time. I'd love to, but I can't, I have to stay at home.
5. 我没有英文名。误:I haven't English name.正:I don't have an English name.提示:许多人讲英语犯这样的错误,从语法角度来分析,可能是语法功底欠缺,因为have在这里是实义动词,而并不是在现在完成时里面那个没有意义的助动词。所以,这句话由肯定句变成否定句要加助动词。明白道理是一回事,习惯是另一回事,请您再说几话:我没有钱;I don't have any money.我没有兄弟姐妹;I don't have any brothers or sisters.我没有车。I don't have a car.
6. 我想我不行。误:I think I can't.正:I don't think I can.提示:汉语里说“我想我不会”的时候,英语里面总是说“我不认为我会”。以后您在说类似的英语句子的时候,只要留心,也会习惯英语的表达习惯的。
7. 我的舞也跳得不好。误:I don't dance well too.正:I am not a very good dancer either.提示:当我们说不擅长做什么事情的时候,英语里面通常用not good at something,英语的思维甚至直接踊跃到:我不是一个好的舞者。
8. 现在几点钟了?误:What time is it now?正:What time is it, please?提示:What time is it now是一个直接从汉语翻译过的句子,讲英语的时候没有必要说now,因为您不可能问what time was it yesterday, 或者what time is it tomorrow ?所以符合英语习惯的说法是:请问现在几点了?还有一种说法是:How are we doing for time?这句话在有时间限制的时候特别合适。
9. 我的英语很糟糕。误:My English is poor.正:I am not 100% fluent, but at least I am improving.提示:有人开玩笑说,全中国人最擅长的一句英文是:My English is poor. 外国人遇到自己外语不好的情况,他们会说:I am still having a few problem, but I am getting better.
10. 你愿意参加我们的晚会吗?误:Would you like to join our party on Friday?正:Would you like to come to our party on Friday night?提示:join往往是指参加俱乐部或者协会,如:join a health club; join the Communist Party.事实上,常常与party搭配的动词是come 或者go。如go a wild party,或者come to a Christmas Party。
11. 我没有经验。误:I have no experience.正:I don't know much about that.提示:I have no experience这句话听起来古里古怪,因为您只需要说那方面我懂得不多,或者这方面我不在行,就行了。I am not really an expert in this area.
12. ——这个春节你回家吗?——是的,我回去。--Will you be going back home for the Spring Festival?误:--Of course!正:--Sure. / Certainly.提示:以英语为母语的人使用of course的频率要比中国的学生低得多,只有在回答一些众所周知的问题时才说of course。因为of course后面隐含的一句话是“我当然知道啦!难道我是一个傻瓜吗?”因此,of course带有挑衅的意味。在交谈时,用sure或certainly效果会好得多。同时,of course not也具挑衅的意味。正常情况下语气温和的说法是certainly not。