氣 候

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句子：人類(lèi)正在遭受氣候變化帶來(lái)的危害。

誤譯：Humankind is suffering from the harm caused by weather change.

正譯：Humankind is suffering from the harm caused by climate change.

解釋?zhuān)簑eather 的意思是“天氣”，指在一個(gè)特定地點(diǎn)和時(shí)間的大氣狀況，天氣是一個(gè)時(shí)刻(point of time)概念。而氣候是一個(gè)時(shí)段(period of time)概念。“氣候”的第一個(gè)意思是“一定地區(qū)里經(jīng)過(guò)觀察所得到的概括性的氣象狀況”。可譯為climate(名詞)，climatic(形容詞)。如：1. 9月22日，胡錦濤在紐約出席聯(lián)合國(guó)氣候變化峰會(huì)開(kāi)幕式并發(fā)表重要講話。On September 22, Hu Jintao attended the opening session of the United Nations Climate Change Conference in New York and issued an important speech.

“氣候”的第二個(gè)意思比喻“社會(huì)動(dòng)向”或“社會(huì)環(huán)境”。可譯為climate。如：2. 這個(gè)亞洲國(guó)家的政治氣候正在發(fā)生重大轉(zhuǎn)變。A great change is taking place in the political climate in this Asian country.

“成氣候”的第一個(gè)意思是比喻人“有成就”或“有發(fā)展前途”。可譯為to make achievements, to get somewhere。“不成氣候”或“成不了氣候”的意思是比喻人“沒(méi)有成就”或“沒(méi)有發(fā)展前途”。可譯為 to make no achievements, wont get anywhere, will get nowhere。如： 3. 人們普遍承認(rèn)中國(guó)足球隊(duì)在短期內(nèi)是難成氣候的。It is generally acknowledged that Chinese football teams can hardly get anywhere in a short period of time.

“成氣候”還比喻事物“流行”。可譯為to become prevalent, to become well received, to become popular。如：4. 我國(guó)網(wǎng)上書(shū)店已成氣候。In our country, online bookshops have become prevalent.▲

（本欄目供稿：王逢鑫教授）