中英之鑒 中式英語之鑒384

這位老農(nóng)大概有三四個(gè)孩子，而且他們現(xiàn)在都長(zhǎng)大成人，可以在地里干活了。

[誤] The old farmer has about three or four children, who have now grown up and are able to work in the

fields.

[正] The old farmer has three or four children, who have now grown up and are able to work in the fields.

注：漢語可以說“大約有三四個(gè)孩子”，但翻譯成英語卻不行。因?yàn)閍bout 后面不能接約數(shù)，而應(yīng)該接確定的數(shù)目。即：要么去掉 about，只用 three or four;要么用 about，但后面接 three 等具體的數(shù)字。