皮卡丘提醒大家,很多英语表达如果你按照中式思维翻译,很容易闹笑话。譬如,“Dog-eat-dog”直译就是“狗咬狗”但其实它表达的真实意思是“激烈竞争”。
溯源:
The expression comes from the Latin saying "a dog does not eat another dog."
这个短语源自拉丁语“小狗不会自相残杀。”
"Dog-eat-dog" describes a situation where people will do anything to be successful.
“残酷的竞争”用来形容某个处境,在这种处境下人们为获得成功而无所不用其极。
They do not care if they have to hurt other people in the process.
他们不会顾及过程中是否会伤及他人。
举一个对话为例:
A:The media industry is so competitive.
当前传媒产业竞争十分激烈。
B:I know. But these days, so many industries are.
我意识到了。然而目前传媒产业百花齐放。
A:It's really just a dog-eat-dog world.
传媒产业相互间竞争十分残酷。
B:I want to work in a place that is the opposite of dog-eat-dog. You know, warm-and-fuzzy.
我想在竞争不那么残酷的环境里工作。你知道吗,就是那种温暖舒适的环境。
A:Me too. Maybe we could raise sheep and make wool sweaters.
我也是。也许我们还能饲养绵羊,做羊毛衫。
例句:
①Some people say we live in a dog-eat-dog world.
有人说我们生活在一个竞争激烈的世界。
②The competitive pursuit of knowledge is not a dog-eat-dog Darwinian struggle.
对知识的竞争追求并不是一场激烈的达尔文式的斗争。
③Football is like dog-eat-dog and when you get your chance you have to take it, and I am just looking forward to the next game and hopefully I can prove myself again.
足球是残酷的,当你机会来了你就得抓住它。现在我很期待着下一场比赛,希望我能再次证明自己。
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