丰子恺《家》 -英语翻译教程-中英双语赏析

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家

丰子恺

从南京的朋友家里回到南京的旅馆里，又从南京的旅馆里回到杭州的别寓里，又从杭州的别寓里回到石门湾的缘缘堂本宅里，每次起一种感想，逐记如下。

当在南京的朋友家里的时候，我很高兴。因为主人是我的老朋友。我们在少年时代曾经共数晨夕。后来为生活而劳燕分飞，虽然大家形骸老了些，心情冷了些，态度板了些，说话空了些，然而心的底里的一点灵火大家还保存着，常在谈话之中互相露示。这使得我们的会晤异常亲热。加之主人的物质生活程度的高低同我的相仿佛，家庭设备也同我的相类似。我平日所需要的：一毛大洋一两的茶叶，听头的大美丽香烟，有人供给开水的热水壶，随手可取的牙签，适体的藤椅，光度恰好的小窗，他家里都有，使我坐在他的书房里感觉同坐在自己的书房里相似。加之他的夫人善于招待，对于客人表示真诚的殷勤，而绝无优待的虐待。优待的虐待，是我在作客中常常受到而顶顶可怕的。例如拿了不到半寸长的火柴来为我点香烟，弄得大家仓皇失措，我的胡须几被烧去；把我所不欢喜吃的菜蔬堆在我的饭碗上，使我无法下著;强夺我的饭碗去添饭，使我吃得停食;藏过我的行囊，使我不得告辞。这种招待,即使出于诚意，在我认为是逐客令，统称之为优待的虐待。这回我所住的人家的夫人，全无此种恶习，但把不缺乏的香烟自来火放在你能自由取得的地方而并不用自来火烧你的胡须；但把精致的菜蔬摆在你能自由挟取的地方，饭桶摆在你能自由添取的地方，而并不勉强你吃；但在你告辞的时光表示诚意的挽留，而并不监禁。这在我认为是最诚意的优待。这使得我非常高兴。英语称勿客气曰athome。我在这主人家里作客，真同athome—样。所以非常高兴。

然而这究竟不是我的home,饭后谈了一会，我惦记起我的旅馆来。我在旅馆，可以自由行住坐卧，可以自由差使我的茶房，可以凭法币之力而自由满足我的要求。比较起受主人家款待的作客生活来，究竟更为自由。我在旅馆要住四五天，比较起一饭就告别的作客生活来，究竟更为永久。因此，主人的书房的屋里虽然布置妥贴，主人的招待虽然殷勤周至，但在我总觉得不安心。所谓“凉亭虽好，不是久居之所”。饭后谈了一会，我就告别回家。这所谓“家”，就是我的旅馆。

当我从朋友家回到了旅馆里的时候，觉得很适意。因为这旅馆在各点上是称我心的。第一，它的价钱还便宜，没有大规模的笨相，像形式丑恶而不适坐卧的红木椅，花样难看而火气十足的铜床，工本浩大而不合实用、不堪人目的工艺品，我统称之为大规模的笨相。造出这种笨相来的人，头脑和眼光很短小，而法币很多。像暴发的富翁，无知的巨商，升官发财的军阀，即是其例。要看这种笨相，可以访问他们的家。我的旅馆价既便宜，其设备当然不丰。即使也有笨相——像家具形式的丑恶，房间布置的不妥，壁上装饰的唐突，茶壶茶杯的不可爱——都是小规模的笨相，比较起大规模的笨相来，犹似五十步比百步，终究差好些，至少不使人感觉暴殄大物，冤哉枉也。第二，我的茶房很老实，我回旅馆时不给我脱外衣，我洗面时不给我绞手巾，我吸香烟时不给我擦自来火，我叫他做事时不喊“是——是——”，这使我觉得很自由，起居生活同在家里相差不多，因为我家里也有这么老实的一位男工，我就不妨把茶房当作自己的工人。第三，住在旅馆里没有人招待，一切行动都随我意。出门不必对人鞠躬说“再会”，归来也没有人同我寒暄。早晨起来不必向人道“早安”，晚上就寝的迟早也不受别人的牵累。在朋友家作客，虽然也很安乐，总不及住旅馆的自由：看见他家里的人，总得想出几句话来说说，不好不去睐他。脸孔上即使不必硬作笑容，也总要装得和悦一点，不好对他们板脸孔。板脸孔，好像是一种凶相。但我觉得是最自在最舒服的一种表情。我自己觉得，平日独自闭居在家里的房间里读书，写作的时候，脸孔的表情总是严肃的，极难得有独笑或独乐的时光。若拿这种独居时的表情移用在交际应酬的座上，别人一定当我有所不快，在板脸孔。据我推想，这一定不止我一人如此。最漂亮的交际家，巧言令色之徒，回到自己家里，或房间里，甚或眠床里，也许要用双手揉一揉脸孔，恢复颜面上的表情筋肉的疲劳，然后板着脸孔皱着眉头回想日问的事，考虑明日的战略。可知无论何人,交际应酬中的脸孔多少总有些不自然，其表情筋肉多少总有些儿吃力。最自然，最舒服的，只有板着脸孔独居的时候。所以，我在孤癖发作的时候，觉得住旅馆比在朋友家作客更自在而舒服。

然而，旅馆究竟不是我的家，住了几天，我惦记起我杭州的别寓来。在那里有我自己的什用器物，有我自己的书籍文具，还有我自己雇请着的工人。比较起借用旅馆的器物，对付旅馆的茶房来，究竟更为自由；比较起小住四五天就离去的旅馆生活来，究竟更为永久。因此，我睡在旅馆的眠床上似觉有些浮动；坐在旅馆的椅子上似觉有些不稳；用旅馆的毛巾似觉有些隔膜。虽然这房间的主权完全属我，我的心底里总有些儿不安。住了四五天，我就算帐回家。这所谓家，就是我的别寓。

当我从南京的旅馆回到了杭州的别寓里的时候，觉得很自在。我年来在故乡的家里蛰居太久，环境看得厌了，趣味枯乏，心情郁结。就到离家乡还近而花样较多的杭州来暂作一下寓公，藉此改换环境，调节趣味。趣味，在我是生活上一种重要的养料，其重要几近于面包。别人都在为了获得面包而牺牲趣味，或者为了堆积法币而抑制趣味。我现在幸而没有走上这两种行径，还可省下半只面包来换得一点趣味。

因此，这寓所犹似我的第二的家。在这里没有作客时的拘束，也没有住旅馆时的不安心。我可以吩咐我的工人做点我所喜欢的家常素菜，夜饭时同放学归来的一子一女共吃。我可以叫我的工人相帮我，把房间的布置改过一下，新一新气象。饭后睡前，我可以开一开蓄音机，听听新买来的几张蓄音片。窗前灯下，我可以在自己的书桌上读我所爱读的书，写我所愿写的稿。月底虽然也要付房钱，但价目远不似旅馆这么贵，买卖式远不及旅馆这么明显。虽然也可以合算每天房钱几角几分。但因每月一付，相隔时间太长，住房子同付房钱就好像不相联关的两件事，或者房钱仿佛白付，而房子仿佛白住。因有此种种情形，我从旅馆回到寓中觉得非常自然。

然而，寓所究竟不是我的本宅。每逢起了倦游的心情的时候，我便惦记起故乡的缘缘堂来。在那里有我故乡的环境，有我关切的亲友，有我自己的房子，有我自己的书斋，有我手种的芭蕉、樱桃和葡萄。比较起租别人的房子,使用简单的器具来，究竟更为自由；比较起暂作借住，随时可以解租的寓公生活来，究竟更为永久。我在寓中每逢要在房屋上略加装修，就觉得要考虑；每逢要在庭中种些植物，也觉得不安心，因而思念起故乡的家来。牺牲这些装修和植物，倒还在其次；能否长久享用这些设备，却是我所顾虑的。我睡在寓中的床上虽然没有感觉像旅馆里那样浮动，坐在寓中的椅上虽然没有感觉像旅馆里那样不稳，但觉得这些家具在寓中只是摆在地板上的，没有像家里的东西那样固定得同生根一般。这种倦游的心情强盛起来，我就离寓返家。这所谓家，才是我的本宅。

当我从别寓回到了本宅的时候，觉得很安心。主人回来了，芭蕉鞠躬，樱桃点头，葡萄棚上特地飘下几张叶子来表示欢迎。两个小儿女跑来牵我的衣，老仆忙着打扫房间。老妻忙着烧素菜，故乡的臭豆腐干，故乡的冬菜，故乡的红米饭。窗外有故乡的天空，门外有打着石门湾上白的行人，这些行人差不多个个是认识的。还有各种负贩的叫卖声，这些叫卖声在我统统是捻熟的。我仿佛从飘摇的舟中登上了陆，如今脚踏实地了。这里是我的最自由，最永久的本宅，我的归宿之处，我的家。我从寓中回到家中，觉得非常安心。

但到了夜深人静，我躺在床上回味上述的种种感想的时候，又不安心起来。我觉得这里仍不是我的真的本宅，仍不是我的真的归宿之处，仍不是我的真的家。四大的暂时结合而形成我这身体，无始以来种种因缘相凑合而使我诞生在这地方。偶然的呢？还是非偶然的？若是偶然的，我又何恋恋于这虚幻的身和地？若是非偶然的，谁是造物主呢？我须得寻着了他，向他那里去找求我的真的本宅，真的归宿之处，真的家。这样一想，我现在是负着四大暂时结合的躯壳，而在无始以来种种因缘凑合而成的地方暂住，我是无“家”可归的。既然无“家”可归，就不妨到处为“家”。上述的屡次的不安心，都是我的妄念所生。想到那里，我很安心地睡着了。

家

丰子恺

Home

By Feng Zikai

从南京的朋友家里回到南京的旅馆里，又从南京的旅馆里回到杭州的别寓里，又从杭州的别寓里回到石门湾的缘缘堂本宅里，每次起一种感想，逐记如下。

Recently, I have been on the move. My travels took me first from my friend’s house to a hotel in Nanjing, then to an apartment in Hangzhou, but in the end I returned to my family residence Yuan Yuan Tang in Shimen. On each occasion, my mind was bombarded with the thoughts now recorded here.

🎈 on the move

1）（经常）变换地点[to be travelling from place to place]

2）在行进中；在移动中[to be moving; to be going somewher]

例句

The firm is on the move to larger offices.

公司正在迁往更大的办公楼。

🎈近义词辨析

lodging:指临时租借的房间或宿舍。

accommodation: 泛指各种居住住所，一般指暂时下榻之地。

apartment: 通常指占用或居住时间较长的成套房间，在美国比较常用。

quarters: 指某一部分人集中的居住区。

suite: 可泛指任何设备完善的一套房间，但多指包括起居室、卧室和浴室的陈设较豪华的套间。

🎈到头来、最后、终于 in the end

坚持到底to the very/bitter end

使收支相抵、勉强维持生计make ends meet

持续地、连续地；直立着on end

🎈被（问题等）…轰炸/面对大量…… be bombarded by……

使某人大量面对…… bombard sb with sth

例句

丰子恺《车厢社会》)每乘一次火车，总有种种感想。

At each trip my mind would be bombarded by a host of thoughts.

当在南京的朋友家里的时候，我很高兴。因为主人是我的老朋友。我们在少年时代曾经共数晨夕。后来为生活而劳燕分飞，

During my stay at my friend’s place in Nanjing, I felt quite comfortable, for we had been friends for years. In childhood, we were inseparable day and night, but as young adults we parted ways to follow our careers.

🎈 inseparable adj. 形影不离的

if people are inseparable, they spend most of their time together and are very good friends

🎈日日夜夜day and night

例句

《五台名刹画沧桑》

这是我们在日本东京100个日日夜夜劳苦工作的结晶，用心血谱写出来的中日友情。

We worked hard day and night for over three months. The paintings symbolize our efforts to contribute to the friendship between the Chinese and Japanese peoples.

虽然大家形骸老了些，心情冷了些，态度板了些，说话空了些，然而心的底里的一点灵火大家还保存着，常在谈话之中互相露示。这使得我们的会晤异常亲热。

Though the passing years have aged us both and we now give the impression that we’re somewhat emotionally frigid, inflexible in our ideas, and unbending in our opinions, we still share a common beat in our hearts. You could tell this from our conversations, and our meeting this time was unusually affectionate.

🎈age v. 使显老，使变老，使苍老

to make sb/sth look, feel or seem older

例句

Exposure to the sun ages the skin.

太阳曝晒会使皮肤粗老。

🎈 frigid adj. 拘谨的，冷淡的，不友好的

very formal and unfriendly

例句

He presided at all councils of ministers, where the atmosphere could be frigid on occasions.

所有的内阁会议都由他主持，有时会上的气氛会很拘谨。

🎈 unbending adj. 顽固的；固执的；倔强的unwilling to change your opinions, decisions, etc.

🎈 affectionate adj. 充满深情的，满怀柔情的，表示爱的

showing caring feelings and love for sb

亲昵的一吻an affectionate kiss

关爱孩子 be affectionate towards the children

加之主人的物质生活程度的高低同我的相仿佛，家庭设备也同我的相类似。我平日所需要的：一毛大洋一两的茶叶，听头的大美丽香烟，有人供给开水的热水壶，随手可取的牙签，适体的藤椅，光度恰好的小窗，他家里都有，使我坐在他的书房里感觉同坐在自己的书房里相似。

As well, my friend had lived in circumstances quite similar to mine—some quality tea leaves, a tin of cigarettes, a thermos, some toothpicks, a comfortable rattan chair, and a well-lit window—and because he had all of these amenities, I felt as comfortable there as in my own study.

🎈在…情况/条件下in / under … circumstances

由于…情况 due to … circumstances

有利条件favourable circumstances

逆境/不利条件adverse / unfavorable circumstances

例外的/特殊的情况exceptional / special / unusual circumstances

无法避免/无法预测的情况unavoidable / unforeseen circumstances

经济/财政/政治/社会状况（环境）economic / financial / political / social circumstances

🎈上乘茶叶；优质茶 quality tea

quality ①adj.品质好的；质量高的being of high quality②n. 质量；品质the standard of sth when it is compared to other things like it; how good or bad sth is

某物品质好

1）quality + sth（此时quality词性为形容词）

2）be of good quality

3）sth +of quality或sth+ of a high quality

🎈【词根】“therm(o)” = heat

thermometer n.温度计

thermos / Thermos n.保温壶，暖瓶

保温杯thermos / Thermos mug

thermal a.1热的2温暖的

热能thermal energy

温泉thermal spring

保暖内衣thermal underwear

🎈amenity n. 生活福利设施；便利设施a feature that makes a place pleasant, comfortable or easy to live in [usually pl.] [pl. amenities]

例句

Many of the houses lacked even basic amenities (= baths, showers, hot water, etc.).

很多房屋甚至缺乏基本的生活设施。

他的夫人善于招待，对于客人表示真诚的殷勤，而绝无优待的虐待。优待的虐待，是我在作客中常常受到而顶顶可怕的。

Above all, his wife was good at entertaining. She was sincere and welcoming toward her guests, yet never went overboard with hospitality. Bad treatment disguised as warmth has always been a problem for me.

🎈entertain v. 招待，款待

If you entertain people, you provide food and drink for them, for example when you have invited them to your house.

用某物招待某人entertained sb with sth

例句

萧乾《斯诺精神》) 他和海伦都极好客，他们时常举行茶会或便餐，

He and his wife Helen were very hospitable and often entertained us with tea or potluck.

🎈（在某事上）做得过分/过火 go overboard (with sth）

例句

You tend to go a little overboard with these things.

你在这些事上做的有些过了。

例如拿了不到半寸长的火柴来为我点香烟，弄得大家仓皇失措，我的胡须几被烧去；把我所不欢喜吃的菜蔬堆在我的饭碗上，使我无法下著;

On one occasion my hostess tried to light my cigarette with a match that was almost burnt out and in the ensuing panic burned my moustache instead; another heaped so much food, of which I was not particularly fond, into my bowl that I couldn’t decide where to initiate contact with my chopsticks.

🎈点一支烟 light (up) a cigarette

吸烟smoke a cigarette

熄灭蜡烛/香烟/灯火put out a candle/cigarette/light

烟头 cigarette end/ butt

烟灰 cigarette ashes

弹烟灰 flick the ash from the cigarette / flick the butt

🎈燃尽，烧尽，熄灭 burn out

🎈ensuing adj. 接着发生的，接踵而来的，随之产生的

例句

Ensuing events happen immediately after other events.

随之而来的问题 ensuing problems

🎈heap v. 堆放;堆积;堆起arrange sth in a large pile

堆积某物 heap (up) sth

强夺我的饭碗去添饭，使我吃得停食;藏过我的行囊，使我不得告辞。

A third ‘hijacked’ my bowl and refilled it with so much rice that I ended up with indigestion. Another even hid my luggage so that I could not leave her home!

🎈此处译文按on a third occasion, my hostess ‘hijacked’ my bowl……、on another occasion, my hostess even hid my luggage…理解。

🎈以……结尾/结束end up with

例句

Strays always end up with someone who needs them.

流浪猫总能找到需要它们的人。

这种招待,即使出于诚意，在我认为是逐客令，统称之为优待的虐待。

The way she entertained, even if out of sincerity, made me think she was showing me the door. These ‘good’ behaviors are merely bad manners in disguise.

🎈out of在不同语境中可以有不同的译法。此处，out of意为“出于”、“由于”，后面的名词由具体事物转为某种心态或条件。

出于必要out of necessity

出于兴趣out of interest

出于同情out of sympathy / pity

出于尊敬out of respect

出于良心out of conscience

出于不得已/迫不得已out of desperation

出于恐惧out of fear

🎈要某人离开；下逐客令show sb the door

这回我所住的人家的夫人，全无此种恶习，但把不缺乏的香烟自来火放在你能自由取得的地方而并不用自来火烧你的胡须；

In this case, however, my friend’s wife was free of such bad habits. She set aside sufficient cigarettes and matches within my easy reach, but never lit my cigarette, and so my moustache was not threatened.

🎈没有 free of

例句

They envision an equal society, free of poverty and disease.

他们设想一个平等的社会，没有贫穷，也没有疾病。

🎈 set aside sth

1）把 … 放到一旁（或搁到一边）

2）暂时不考虑（或放一放）

3）省出，留出（钱或时间）（用于某事for a particular purpose）

例句

目前咱们就不要顾及我的个人感情了。

Let’s set aside my personal feelings for now.

例句

吴组湘《谈癖》

每逢吃东西，必有她的一份。但是递给她时，她总不肯接受。她说：“我不喜欢吃这个。”

At each meal, they would set aside some food for her, but when they offered it to her, she would decline it with the words “I do not like it.”

🎈在……旁边，触手可及within easy reach of sb/sth

例句

If driving, Futuroscope is within easy reach of the freeway.

如果开车（也很方便），“观测未来”就在高速公路附近。

但把精致的菜蔬摆在你能自由挟取的地方，饭桶摆在你能自由添取的地方，而并不勉强你吃；但在你告辞的时光表示诚意的挽留，而并不监禁。这在我认为是最诚意的优待。这使得我非常高兴。

Also, she placed ample delicacies and a bucket of rice convenient to my reach, but never forced me to eat. And when I took my leave, she urged me to stay on with all sincerity, but never “jailed” me. To me, this was a perfect example of how a guest should be treated, so I felt pleased.

🎈向某人告辞/辞别 take one’s leave of sb

例句

With a nod and a smile, she took leave of her friends.

她点头微笑着向朋友告辞。

英语称勿客气曰at home。我在这主人家里作客，真同at home—样。所以非常高兴。然而这究竟不是我的home,饭后谈了一会，我惦记起我的旅馆来。

In English-speaking countries, when people say “Don’t stand on ceremony”, they mean “Make yourself at home.” At my friend’s place, I felt both happy and at home. Still, my friend’s place was not my home. Following a brief talk after dinner, I began to miss my hotel.

🎈讲究客套，拘于礼节 stand on ceremony

例句

Please don’t stand on ceremony (= Please be natural and relaxed) with me.

别跟我客气。

🎈舒适自在，无拘无束 at home

例句

Sit down and make yourself at home.

坐下，别拘束。

我在旅馆，可以自由行住坐卧，可以自由差使我的茶房，可以凭法币之力而自由满足我的要求。

There, I was free to leave or stay, sit or lie down, order the waitress about as I wished, and satisfy any needs I might have to the limits of my financial strength.

🎈（不断地）支使，命令，使唤 order sb about/around

例句

《呼啸山庄》

And make sure my orders about the two coffins are obeyed!

要保证按我放置两口棺材的命令去做！

🎈根据……限度 to the limits of…

例句

Today’s families have budgeted to the limits of their new two-paycheck status.

如今的家庭根据其新的双收入限度安排开支。

到达极限 to the limit

例句

During times of drought, animals are stressed to the limit.

在干旱时期，动物们的压力已至极限。

A number of new wildfires have started in Southern California stretching firefighters to the limit.

加利福尼亚南部又发生了几处新火灾，消防人员人手已不太够。

比较起受主人家款待的作客生活来，究竟更为自由。我在旅馆要住四五天，比较起一饭就告别的作客生活来，究竟更为永久。

Compared with life at my friend’s place, life in the hotel was less restrictive, so I planned to stay there for a few days. In comparison with the stopover at my friend’s home, my hotel stay seemed overlong.

🎈与…相对比/对照in / by contrast to / with …或in / by comparison to / with …或compared to / with …

例句

《新概念英语4》

It’s as if they were, in some sense, cosmic beings in violent and lovely contrast with us suburban creatures.

从某种意义上讲，他们似乎是宇宙人，同我们这些凡夫俗子形成了强烈而鲜明的对照。

🎈compared to和compared with的区别

1）在“估计事物之间的相似性或者是差异” 这种意义上，使用哪个介词都可以。

例句

Individual schools compared their facilities with those of others in the area.

私立学校将其设施与该地区其他学校的设施进行比较。

It is difficult to compare our results to studies conducted in the United States.

很难将我们的研究成果与在美国进行的研究成果相比较。

2）当表示“一件事物与另一件事相似”或者“在两件不同事情之间进行类比”时，必须使用to。

因此，主人的书房的屋里虽然布置妥贴，主人的招待虽然殷勤周至，但在我总觉得不安心。

Even though his study was well furnished and the hostess was hospitable, I never felt at ease.

🎈1）放松 be/feel at ease

例句

So I felt at ease on stage.

所以我在台上很放松。

2）静止，安息 at rest

例句

Always trying out new ideas, never satisfied, never at rest.

他们总是追求某种新东西，总是作新的尝试，永远不满意，永远不安定。

3）不好意思，尴尬，不自在 ill at ease

例句

《枣核》

朋友有点不好意思地解释说，……

My friend looked somewhat <ill at ease> when he told me this: …

所谓“凉亭虽好，不是久居之所”。饭后谈了一会，我就告别回家。这所谓“家”，就是我的旅馆。

As the saying goes, “a summer house is good, but it is never a permanent home.” After our little chat following dinner, I took my leave and went home. The so-called home was nothing less than the hotel.

🎈 summer house

1）（花园或院子里的）凉棚，凉亭

2）(乡村或海边的)避暑别墅（也作summer home）

🎈“凉亭虽好，不是久居之所”和我们常说的“金窝银窝不如自己的草窝（Home is home, be it ever so homely. = Home is home, though it be ever so homely. ）” 类似

🎈nothing less than

1）用于强调所描述之物used to give emphasis to a description

例句

The idea is nothing less than revolutionary.

这一想法极具革命性。

2）不亚于，简直是，极其used to say that something is the least that a situation, person, etc., requires or will accept

例句

It was nothing less than a disaster.

这简直就是一场灾难。

当我从朋友家回到了旅馆里的时候，觉得很适意。因为这旅馆在各点上是称我心的。

Back at the hotel, I felt cozy and comfortable. Everything about the hotel was satisfactory to me.

🎈对某物很满意，某物很称心

1）sb +be happy/pleased/satisfied with sth

2）sth +be satisfactory to sb

第一，它的价钱还便宜，没有大规模的笨相，像形式丑恶而不适坐卧的红木椅，花样难看而火气十足的铜床，工本浩大而不合实用、不堪人目的工艺品，我统称之为大规模的笨相。

First of all, the room rate was low, and it contained no huge, cumbersome furniture, such as ugly, uncomfortable mahogany chairs, awkward bronze beds, or expensive, impractical, and vulgar handicrafts.

🎈 rate n. 价格;费用a fixed amount of money that is charged or paid for sth

广告费、保险费、邮费等advertising/insurance/postal, etc. rates

按小时支付的低/高报酬a low/high hourly rate of pay

例句

We offer special reduced rates for students.

我们对学生有特惠价格。

🎈 cumbersome（笨重的）可用近义词unwieldy代替。可参考季羡林《论包装》中的双语例句：摆在货架上时，是庞然大物；提在手中或放在车中，更是运转不灵，左提，右提，横摆，竖摆，都煞费周折。

They take up a lot of space on the goods shelves and are very cumbersome whether carried by car or by hand. Very unwieldy whether carried by left hand or right hand, placed vertically or horizontally.

造出这种笨相来的人，头脑和眼光很短小，而法币很多。像暴发的富翁，无知的巨商，升官发财的军阀，即是其例。要看这种笨相，可以访问他们的家。

I have noticed that these items are frequently found with the narrow-minded, short-sighted people such as overnight millionaires, ignorant magnates, and the nouveau riche warlords. To see their stupid furniture, you will have to visit their homes.

🎈思想狭隘的，心胸狭窄的 narrow-minded

目光短浅的 short-sighted

🎈overnight adj. 突然的，很快的，一夜之间的

happening suddenly or quickl

例句

The play was an overnight success.

这部剧作一夜成名。

🎈the nouveau riche

1）n.暴发户

a person who has recently become rich and likes to show how rich they are in a very obvious way

2）adj. 暴发户的

belonging or relating to the nouveaux riches

我的旅馆价既便宜，其设备当然不丰。即使也有笨相——像家具形式的丑恶，房间布置的不妥，壁上装饰的唐突，茶壶茶杯的不可爱——都是小规模的笨相，比较起大规模的笨相来，犹似五十步比百步，终究差好些，至少不使人感觉暴殄大物，冤哉枉也。

At my hotel, because the room rate was low, its furnishings were cheap. My room also contained distasteful articles, including ugly chairs, obtrusive decor, and an unlovable tea set, but their small size was their saving grace. At least, the smaller furnishings represented less waste of Nature’s bounty.

🎈本文中的「物件」使用了item/article/amenity等词。

🎈 decor n. （建筑内部的）装饰布局，装饰风格

the style in which the inside of a building is decorated

室内装饰风格interior decor

餐馆内部别致的新装潢the restaurant’s elegant new decor

🎈一套茶具 a tea set或a tea service

英义

a set consisting of a teapot, sugar bowl, cups, plates, etc., used for serving tea

🎈唯一可取之处，

仅有的优点，可以弥补缺点的优点saving grace

例句

Ageing’s one saving grace is you worry less about what people think.

上了年纪的一个好处是不再那般担心别人的看法。

第二，我的茶房很老实，我回旅馆时不给我脱外衣，我洗面时不给我绞手巾，我吸香烟时不给我擦自来火，我叫他做事时不喊“是——是——”，

Moreover, the waiter at the hotel was honest and simple. He would not take off my coat when I came in, nor wring out the towel when I washed my face, nor strike a match when I wanted to smoke, nor reply “yes—yes—’’ when I asked him to do things for me.

🎈wring v. （~out）拧，绞，拧出，绞出（衣服等中的水）to twist and squeeze clothes, etc. in order to get the water out of them

从 … 处费力弄到；从 … 压榨出 wring sth from/out sb

例句

They wrung the truth out of her.

他们强逼她说出了真相。

🎈划根火柴 strike a match

例句

《月亮和六便士》

Then Robert Strickland struck a match and lit a cigarette.

后来罗伯特·思特里克兰德划了根火柴，点着了一支纸烟。

这使我觉得很自由，起居生活同在家里相差不多，因为我家里也有这么老实的一位男工，我就不妨把茶房当作自己的工人。

So I felt much at ease, thinking my daily life there was just like that at home. Since I had a simple manservant at home as well, I decided that I might as well treat the waiter as if he were my own.

🎈日常生活daily life

生活基本必需品basic necessities of daily life

从每天的例行公事中抽出时间take time off from daily routine

第三，住在旅馆里没有人招待，一切行动都随我意。

Besides, no one in the hotel distracted me, so I was free to do whatever I liked.

🎈distract v. 分散(注意力);使分心to take sb’s attention away from what they are trying to do

使某人不能专心做某事distract sb from sth

例句

You’re distracting me from my work.

你使我不能专心工作。

出门不必对人鞠躬说“再会”，归来也没有人同我寒暄。早晨起来不必向人道“早安”，晚上就寝的迟早也不受别人的牵累。

When going out, I did not have to say goodbye to anyone, and upon my return no one forced me to say hello. In the mornings I did not have to greet anybody, and in the evenings I could stay up as late as I wished.

🎈upon my return：upon/on + noun.或upon/on + V-ing在句中作时间状语，表示“一…就…”，相当于as soon as引导的时间状语从句。

例句

All the soldiers stood up on the entrance of the general.

将军一进来，士兵们就起立。

在朋友家作客，虽然也很安乐，总不及住旅馆的自由：看见他家里的人，总得想出几句话来说说，不好不去睐他。

At my friend’s place I felt happy and comfortable, but never felt as free as I did at the hotel. Upon seeing my friend’s family, I always felt obliged to indulge them with an acknowledgement, lest I be viewed as thoughtless.

🎈很有必要做某事，有义务/责任做某事；被迫做某事 feel obliged to do sth

例句

So, don’t feel obligated to spend a ton of time on it, get it done as quickly as you can.

所以，不要强迫自己在这上面花太多时间，尽快把它写完。

冰心《从重庆到箱根》

我必须在这里介绍那令人留恋的歌乐山。

Now I feel obliged to say a few words about the unforgettable Gele Mountain.

🎈 indulge them with an acknowledgement

尽管主人的招待并不是客人所喜欢的，但客人为了礼数需要感谢主人的好意。

1）indulge v. 满足某人意愿to yield to the desire of sb

例句

You may do whatever you please as a student, but you cannot indulge yourself as a teacher.

当学生时，你或许可以率性而为，但做教师却不能这样放任自己。

2）acknowledgement     n. 感谢

an act or a statement expressing thanks to sb; something that is given to sb as thanks

例句

The flowers were a small acknowledgement of your kindness.

这些花聊表谢意，感谢你的好心帮助。

🎈lest, in case, for fear that「以防，万一，唯恐」引导目的状语从句常用should/would/might + do结构的虚拟语气。需要注意的是如果后接should，三个表达的用法略有不同：lest, for fear that从句中的should可以省去，in case从句中的should通常不省略。

脸孔上即使不必硬作笑容，也总要装得和悦一点，不好对他们板脸孔。板脸孔，好像是一种凶相。但我觉得是最自在最舒服的一种表情。

Though I did not have to force a smile, I would try to put on a friendly face because it seemed impolite to frown in their presence. Unfortunately, the stoic appearance, which we often take as ferocity, is the most comfortable expression for me.

🎈面上欢笑 put on a smile

例句

丰子恺《作客者言》

我脸上强装笑容……心里却在叫苦。

I put on a smiling face……but I was inwardly groaning.

我自己觉得，平日独自闭居在家里的房间里读书，写作的时候，脸孔的表情总是严肃的，极难得有独笑或独乐的时光。若拿这种独居时的表情移用在交际应酬的座上，别人一定当我有所不快，在板脸孔。

When I read and write by myself in the study, my expression is always stern, and a smile is a rarity. Yet if I were to take my normal expression to social gatherings, others would likely think me unsociable and reclusive.

🎈 rarity n. 珍品，稀有物

a person or thing that is unusual and is therefore often valuable or interesting

例句

Women are still something of a rarity in senior positions in business.

在商界位居高职的女性仍然十分罕见。

🎈 reclusive adj. 隐居的，遁世的

A reclusive person or animal lives alone and deliberately avoids the company of others.

例句

She had become increasingly ill and reclusive.

她病得越来越重，越来越孤僻。

据我推想，这一定不止我一人如此。最漂亮的交际家，巧言令色之徒，回到自己家里，或房间里，甚或眠床里，也许要用双手揉一揉脸孔，恢复颜面上的表情筋肉的疲劳，然后板着脸孔皱着眉头回想日问的事，考虑明日的战略。

I believe this trait is not unique to me. Even the best mixer or most ingratiating personality will likely massage his face to relieve his exhausted muscles either in the room or on the bed when he gets home, and then knit his forehead to recall the day’s events and ponder over his strategies for the next.

🎈 mixer n. (善于)交际的人

A good mixer refers to a person who is good at talking to people and making friends.

擅长/不擅长交际的人a good/bad mixer

🎈 ingratiating adj. 竭力讨好的，巴结的

trying too hard to please sb

例句

His fellow students had found him too ingratiating.

他的同学们发现他太爱奉承了。

🎈personality n. 性格鲜明的人；有突出个性的人

a person whose strong character makes them noticeable

例句

Their son is a real personality.

他们的儿子真是有个性。

🎈皱眉头 knit one’s forehead/eyebrows/brows

吴组湘的《谈癖》中有类似的表达：若见地上或桌上有一根落下的头发，她即蹙额瞪眼，以手紧握其嘴……

If she saw a hair on the floor or on the table, she would immediately wrinkle her forehead and, staring at it, cover her mouth with both hands…

🎈沉思、深思、考虑ponder over/on/upon

例句

The more I pondered over this harpooneer, the more I abominated the thought of sleeping with him.

我越想到这个标枪手, 越厌恨要跟他一起睡的念头。

可知无论何人,交际应酬中的脸孔多少总有些不自然，其表情筋肉多少总有些儿吃力。

As can be seen, anyone who attends social functions may find themselves trapped behind a mask with their facial muscles frozen.

🎈As can be seen是定语从句，as关系代词作从句的主语，代指整个主句。

🎈社交活动social functions

例句

He filled his time with public appearances and social functions.

他的时间全部用于出席公共场合和社交活动。

最自然，最舒服的，只有板着脸孔独居的时候。所以，我在孤癖发作的时候，觉得住旅馆比在朋友家作客更自在而舒服。

It’s only when one leads a solitary life and maintains a straight face that the most natural and comfortable expression can evolve. I may seem an eccentric, but I feel much more at ease living in the hotel than at my friend’s place.

🎈过着……样的生活 lead/live a +adj +life

例句

方志敏《清贫》

清贫，洁白朴素的生活，正是人们革命者能够战胜许多困难的地方！

To remain honest though poor, to live a clean and simple life—that is what we revolutionaries count on to overcome innumerable difficulties!

🎈 eccentric n.怪人

例句

Most people considered him a harmless eccentric.

多数人都认为他是一个无伤大雅的怪人。

而，旅馆究竟不是我的家，住了几天，我惦记起我杭州的别寓来。在那里有我自己的什用器物，有我自己的书籍文具，还有我自己雇请着的工人。

Still, the hotel is not my home. After a few days’ stay in the hotel, I began to miss my apartment house in Hangzhou. There I had my own utensils, books, writing materials, and servant.

🎈 utensil n.（家庭）用具，器皿，家什

a tool that is used in the house

炊具，厨房用具cooking/kitchen utensils

🎈书写用品，文具 writing materials

比较起借用旅馆的器物，对付旅馆的茶房来，究竟更为自由；比较起小住四五天就离去的旅馆生活来，究竟更为永久。

In comparison, I found more freedom in my apartment than in the hotel, for I had my own things there, and didn’t have to concern myself with the waiter. Also, I could live much longer in my apartment, while in the hotel my limit was usually only a few days.

🎈关心/关注某事 concern oneself with sth

例句

I didn’t concern myself with politics…

我不关心政治。

🎈 limit n.极限the greatest amount, extent, or degree of something that is possible

例句

There is no limit to how much fresh fruit you can eat in a day.

每天食用多少新鲜水果都可以。

因此，我睡在旅馆的眠床上似觉有些浮动；坐在旅馆的椅子上似觉有些不稳；用旅馆的毛巾似觉有些隔膜。

The hotel’s bed was unstable, its chair unbalanced, and the towels felt strange. Even though I had the room all to myself, I always felt somewhat off balance.

🎈 its chair unbalanced中省略了be动词。

🎈 the towels felt strange中feel是感官动词，用主动语态即可。

🎈不知所措 off balance

例句

The senator was clearly caught off balance by the unexpected question.

参议员显然因这意想不到的问题而不知所措。

虽然这房间的主权完全属我，我的心底里总有些儿不安。住了四五天，我就算帐回家。这所谓家，就是我的别寓。当我从南京的旅馆回到了杭州的别寓里的时候，觉得很自在。

So, after four or five days’ stay, I settled accounts and went home. This so-called home was my apartment house. After moving from the hotel in Nanjing to the apartment in Hangzhou, I felt quite at ease.

🎈（小的）公寓楼 apartment house

我年来在故乡的家里蛰居太久，环境看得厌了，趣味枯乏，心情郁结。就到离家乡还近而花样较多的杭州来暂作一下寓公，藉此改换环境，调节趣味。

I had lived in my hometown for quite a few lonely years, yet found the environment flat and uninspiring. My dreary existence there made me feel depressed, and so I found an apartment in Hangzhou. My life became more enjoyable and exciting, but I was still close to my home, so I hoped that the change of atmosphere could make me happier.

🎈 flat adj. 枯燥的，无趣的，乏味的

dull and not exciting or interesting

例句

The past few days have seemed comparatively flat and empty.

过去这几天似乎比较平淡无聊。

趣味，在我是生活上一种重要的养料，其重要几近于面包。别人都在为了获得面包而牺牲趣味，或者为了堆积法币而抑制趣味。我现在幸而没有走上这两种行径，还可省下半只面包来换得一点趣味。

For me, interest is an important kind of nourishment, almost as indispensable as bread. Some people sacrifice an interesting life to earn their daily bread, so inhibit their passions in the quest for wealth. Luckily, I have never followed in their footprints, and so managed to buy some excitement with the half a loaf of bread I have saved.

🎈寻求，追求某物 in quest of/for sth

对幸福/知识/真理的追求the quest for happiness/knowledge/truth

例句

He set off in quest of adventure.

他出行探险去了。

因此，这寓所犹似我的第二的家。在这里没有作客时的拘束，也没有住旅馆时的不安心。

The apartment house was like my second home. There I did not feel as constrained as at my friend’s place, nor as uneasy as in the hotel.

🎈 constrained adj.不自然的，强迫的，过于受约束的

not natural; forced or too controlled

受压抑的情感constrained emotions

我可以吩咐我的工人做点我所喜欢的家常素菜，夜饭时同放学归来的一子一女共吃。我可以叫我的工人相帮我，把房间的布置改过一下，新一新气象。

In the evenings, I could tell my servant to cook my favorite dishes and then, when my son and daughter returned home from school, I could share mealtimes with them. I could even ask the servant to help rearrange the furniture if I needed a change of surroundings.

🎈（和某人）一起用餐 share mealtimes (with) sb

🎈 surroundings n.环境，背景，地点

A particular setting is a particular place or type of surroundings where something is or takes place.

例句

Rome is the perfect setting for romance.

罗马是最适合谈情说爱的地方。

饭后睡前，我可以开一开蓄音机，听听新买来的几张蓄音片。窗前灯下，我可以在自己的书桌上读我所爱读的书，写我所愿写的稿。

After dinner or just before bedtime I could listen to the radio or play some new musical records. Under the lamp near the window, I could read my favorite authors or write essays on any topics I cared about.

🎈关心，在乎，介意 care about …

月底虽然也要付房钱，但价目远不似旅馆这么贵，买卖式远不及旅馆这么明显。

Though I had to pay rent for the house at the end of each month, it was not as high as the room rate at the hotel, and the commercial relationship between buyer and seller were not as obvious as at the hotel.

🎈商业关系 commercial relationship

例句

The reason is simple. Sanctions prevent Western companies from engaging in commercial relationships with Iranian entities or individuals.

原因很简单。这是为了阻止西方公司与伊朗单位或个人建立商业关系。

虽然也可以合算每天房钱几角几分。但因每月一付，相隔时间太长，住房子同付房钱就好像不相联关的两件事，或者房钱仿佛白付，而房子仿佛白住。

If the rent was divided up, of course, I could calculate the exact number of cents for each day. However, because the rent was paid over the course of a month, accommodation and payment were disconnected, so I had the impression that I lived there completely free of charge.

🎈在 … 期间；在 … 的时候in/over the course of …=during

例句

He’s seen many changes in the course of his long life.

他在漫长的一生中目睹了许许多多的变化。

在…的过程中 in course of sth

例句

The new textbook is in course of preparation.

新的教科书正在准备之中

🎈免费，不收费free of charge

天下没有免费的午餐there’s no such thing as a free lunch

因有此种种情形，我从旅馆回到寓中觉得非常自然。然而，寓所究竟不是我的本宅。每逢起了倦游的心情的时候，我便惦记起故乡的缘缘堂来。

Naturally, for these conveniences, I returned to the apartment house from the hotel. Yet the apartment house was not my home after all. Every time I got fed up with the wandering life, I would miss Yuan Yuan Tang back in my hometown.

🎈 Every time引导时间状语从句，意同Every time when，其中when是关系副词引导的是定语从句修饰every time。

🎈 feed up有两种意思

1）厌烦 be fed up with…=get/be satiated [usually passive]

例句

丰子恺《吃瓜子》

我们吃东西，凡一味甜的，或一味咸的，往往易于吃厌。

Usually, if a certain food were either sweet or salty, you would quickly be fed up, but if they are neither you will never get satiated.

2）把…喂胖 feed sb. up

例句

She is too thin. Feed her up a bit.

她太瘦了，把她养胖点。

在那里有我故乡的环境，有我关切的亲友，有我自己的房子，有我自己的书斋，有我手种的芭蕉、樱桃和葡萄。

Here were my friends and relatives, this was the location of my study, and where the plantain and cherry trees and grapes that I once planted.

🎈 plantain n. 大蕉，芭蕉

a fruit like a large banana, but less sweet, that is cooked and eaten as a vegetable

比较起租别人的房子,使用简单的器具来，究竟更为自由；比较起暂作借住，随时可以解租的寓公生活来，究竟更为永久。

Compared with living in a rented house or using other people’s property, I felt life at home more free and easy, and there was no fear of eviction at a landlord’s whim. Life at home was more stable.

🎈 property n. 房地产a building and the land belonging to it.

例句

This vehicle has been parked on private property.

这辆车停在了私人地产上。

🎈 felt/ life at home /more free and easy中life at home

（家中生活）连在一起看，此处并非feel at home的搭配，而是feel free and easy。

我在寓中每逢要在房屋上略加装修，就觉得要考虑；每逢要在庭中种些植物，也觉得不安心，因而思念起故乡的家来。

Whenever I thought of decorating the apartment house, I would hesitate; every time I considered planting some vegetation in the courtyard, I would feel nostalgic for my old home.

🎈 nostalgic adj. 恋旧的，怀旧的

怀念…… feel/be nostalgic for sth

例句

Many people were nostalgic for the good old days.

很多人都很留恋过去的好时光。

牺牲这些装修和植物，倒还在其次；能否长久享用这些设备，却是我所顾虑的。

Yet what concerned me most was not leaving my decorations or plants behind, but whether I could enjoy the use of the facilities for long.

🎈长久地，（这么）长时间地 for (so) long

例句

I’m sorry I haven’t written to you for so long.

真抱歉，我很长时间未给你写信了。

我睡在寓中的床上虽然没有感觉像旅馆里那样浮动，坐在寓中的椅上虽然没有感觉像旅馆里那样不稳，但觉得这些家具在寓中只是摆在地板上的，没有像家里的东西那样固定得同生根一般。

Though I did not feel the apartment bed bounce as much as that in the hotel, nor the chairs shake as much as those in the hotel, I felt that the apartment furniture, which merely rested on the floor, did not seem as rooted as my furnishings at home.

🎈靠，倚，躺在…… rest on/against sth

在于，依赖 rest on sth

把……放置在…… rest sth +somewhere

这种倦游的心情强盛起来，我就离寓返家。这所谓家，才是我的本宅。

When I grew weary of drifting, I decided to leave the apartment for my home. This was where I was truly meant to be— Home.

🎈对……感到厌烦 be/become/get/grow weary of (doing) sth

例句

金圣华《书与人》

有朋友在情场上轰轰烈烈的驰骋了一阵，终于累了，最后，收拾情心，悄悄退回书斋之中，终日与书本为伍。

A friend of mine, having been actively involved in the arena of love for some time, finally became weary of it and, containing himself, quietly retired to his study to spend time with books all day long.

当我从别寓回到了本宅的时候，觉得很安心。主人回来了，芭蕉鞠躬，樱桃点头，葡萄棚上特地飘下几张叶子来表示欢迎。

But once there, I felt quite at ease. The plantain bowed, the cherry nodded, and the grape trellis spread some leaves on the path to welcome me back.

🎈 trellis n.（支撑攀缘植物的）棚，架

葡萄架，葡萄棚the grape trellis

两个小儿女跑来牵我的衣，老仆忙着打扫房间。老妻忙着烧素菜，故乡的臭豆腐干，故乡的冬菜，故乡的红米饭。

My little son and daughter ran over to grab my coat, my old servant busied himself cleaning the house, and my wife went to cook fresh vegetables, stinky bean curd, preserved cabbage, and red rice in the kitchen.

🎈busy可作动词。

忙于……busy oneself with sth.

例句

He busied himself with the camera.

他忙着摆弄那个相机。

🎈 stinky adj. 有臭味的;味道极其难闻的

having an extremely bad smell

臭豆腐stinky tofu/ strong-smelling preserved bean curd/ fermented tofu

窗外有故乡的天空，门外有打着石门湾上白的行人，这些行人差不多个个是认识的。还有各种负贩的叫卖声，这些叫卖声在我统统是捻熟的。

Through the window, you could see the sky calling you, and from beyond the gate came the familiar sounds of townspeople. Even more familiar, the voices of vendors reverberated in the local dialect.

🎈 from之后还可以跟一个介词词组，称之为双重介词（double preposition）

from beyond the gate中的两个介词共同构成了完整句意：from（从）beyond（门那边）

🎈当地方言 local dialect

我仿佛从飘摇的舟中登上了陆，如今脚踏实地了。这里是我的最自由，最永久的本宅，我的归宿之处，我的家。

I felt as if I had disembarked from a stormy passage on board a ship, and had now planted my feet on the solid ground. These were my roots, and this is where I felt most free and easy. This was the destination of my life’s voyage—my home.

🎈 embark v. 登船;上船 （embark a ship）

disembark v. (~from)下（车、船、飞机等）

🎈 my life’s voyage运用了暗喻（metaphor）的修辞（不出现like之类的比喻词），将「生活」比作「航行」

暗喻可分为三类：

1、喻体直陈式：直接点明“本体is/become喻体[但不出现like之类的词]”

例句

She was an angel of a wife.

2、喻体全隐式：用动词表明喻体特征

例句

As the time and cost of making a chip drop to a few days and a few hundred dollars, engineers may soon be free to let their imaginations soar without being penalized by expensive failures.中的soar暗指将imaginations比作了birds。

3、喻体半隐式：喻体未完全出现，若隐若现

例句

He doesn’t have an idea of his own. He just parrots what other people say.中的parrot暗指人像鹦鹉一样学舌，句中只是作一个动词，并未明指“鹦鹉”，但却能让人联想到“鹦鹉学舌”。

我从寓中回到家中，觉得非常安心。但到了夜深人静，我躺在床上回味上述的种种感想的时候，又不安心起来。我觉得这里仍不是我的真的本宅，仍不是我的真的归宿之处，仍不是我的真的家。

Returning there from the apartment house put me totally at ease. Still, when lying on the bed in the depths of night pondering over the reflections above, I became disconcerted again. It became obvious that Yuan Yuan Tang was not my true residence, nor was it the destination of my life’s journey. It was not even my real home.

🎈在深夜 in the depths of night

在内心深处in the depths of one’s heart

🎈 nor后面的倒装句的结构为：nor+ be动词du/助动词/情态动词+主语＋谓语动词＋其他部分。

四大的暂时结合而形成我这身体，无始以来种种因缘相凑合而使我诞生在这地方。

All the Earth’s four elements —earth, water, fire, and air —combined haphazardly to form my body, and a host of causes have worked together to bring me to this place.

🎈四大元素说是古希腊关于世界的物质组成的学说，包含风air、火fire、水water、地earth。这种观点认为世界来源于这四种元素，该思想在相当长的一段时间内影响着人类科学的发展。巴比伦人和埃及人曾经把水，后来又把空气和土，看成是世界的主要组成元素。在中世纪，四元素说曾经作为了炼金术的理论依据。炼金术士们认为只要改变物质中这四种原始性质的比例，即可使普通金属变为黄金。四元素说承认了世界的物质性，是其进步的一面。但是却使化学的发展长期受到了阻碍。

🎈数不胜数的，无数的

innumerable

numerous

countless

a host of …

a mass of …

a great many …

a large number of …

偶然的呢？还是非偶然的？若是偶然的，我又何恋恋于这虚幻的身和地？若是非偶然的，谁是造物主呢？我须得寻着了他，向他那里去找求我的真的本宅，真的归宿之处，真的家。

Was my life here a chance of fate? If it was, why should I cherish this vanity of person and place so much? If it were not simply luck, who is its Creator? Certainly I must go and look for him, for then I would discover my real dwelling place, the true destination of my life’s voyage, my real home.

🎈 vanity n. [U]（尤指与其他重大事物相比）渺小，无所谓，不重要

the quality of being unimportant, especially compared with other things that are important

个人抱负在死亡面前的微不足道the vanity of human ambition in the face of death

🎈住处 dwelling place

这样一想，我现在是负着四大暂时结合的躯壳，而在无始以来种种因缘凑合而成的地方暂住，我是无“家”可归的。

It seems I am now carrying a body—the temporary combination of the four elements, living at a place formed under the influences of the principal and subsidiary causes since time began. I have no home to go.

🎈principal and subsidiary指「主要的和次要的」，合在一起即「种种」

🎈创世以来since time began

既然无“家”可归，就不妨到处为“家”。上述的屡次的不安心，都是我的妄念所生。想到那里，我很安心地睡着了。

This being the case, I might as well make my home wherever I am. My restlessness was all the result of an illusion. With these thoughts, I fell asleep, completely at peace with the world.

🎈 This being the case是独立主格结构，当逻辑主语是代词时，being不可以省略。

🎈 illusion/delusion n.错觉

有…错觉 be / live under the illusion/delusion that …

🎈入睡；睡着fall asleep

坠入爱河，爱上某人 fall in love (with)

重重地倒下（不能动） collapse/fall in a heap

介于两者之间 fall in between

🎈 对……感觉很平静，与……和睦相处

(feel) at peace with sth/sb

例句

He appears to be a man very much at peace with himself.

他看起来相当平静悠然。

🎈重点表达

到头来、最后、终于 in the end

被（问题等）…轰炸/面对大量…… be bombarded by……

在…情况/条件下in / under … circumstances

上乘茶叶；优质茶 quality tea

用某物招待某人entertained sb with sth

（在某事上）做得过分/过火 go overboard (with sth）

点一支烟 light (up) a cigarette

随之而来的问题 ensuing problems

堆积某物 heap (up) sth

以……结尾/结束end up with

在……旁边，触手可及within easy reach of sb/sth

向某人告辞/辞别 take one’s leave of sb

讲究客套；拘于礼节stand on ceremony

（不断地）支使，命令，使唤 order sb about/around

根据……限度 to the limits of…

到达极限 to the limit

与…相对比/对照in / by contrast to / with …或in / by comparison to / with …或compared to / with …

放松 be/feel at ease

不好意思，尴尬，不自在 ill at ease

凉棚，凉亭summer house

思想狭隘的，心胸狭窄的 narrow-minded

目光短浅的 short-sighted

一套茶具 a tea set或a tea service

划根火柴 strike a match

日常生活daily life

使某人不能专心做某事distract sb from sth

很有必要做某事，有义务/责任做某事；被迫做某事 feel obliged to do sth

面上欢笑 put on a smile

擅长/不擅长交际的人a good/bad mixer

皱眉头 knit one’s forehead/eyebrows/brows

沉思、深思、考虑ponder over/on/upon

社交活动social functions

过着……样的生活 lead/live a +adj +life

书写用品，文具 writing materials

关心/关注某事 concern oneself with sth

不知所措 off balance

（小的）公寓楼 apartment house

寻求，追求某物 in quest of/for sth

（和某人）一起用餐 share mealtimes (with) sb

在 … 期间；在 … 的时候in/over the course of …=during

免费，不收费free of charge

厌烦 be fed up with…=get/be satiated [usually passive]

对……感到厌烦 be/become/get/grow weary of (doing) sth

怀念…… feel/be nostalgic for sth

长久地；（这么）长时间地 for (so) long

靠，倚，躺在…… rest on/against sth

葡萄架，葡萄棚the grape trellis

忙于……busy oneself with sth.

在深夜 in the depths of night

住处 dwelling place

创世以来since time began

入睡；睡着fall asleep

对……感觉很平静；与……和睦相处(feel) at peace with sth/sb

未经允许不得转载：帕布莉卡 » 丰子恺《家》 -英语翻译教程-中英双语赏析