一提到“吃”，我們就會想到“eat”。實際上，很多情況下并不需要用“eat”來表達。如《紅樓夢》中有這樣的句子：“你們坐著吃吧，我可去了。”譯成英文是：“Sit down and go on with your meal, I’m leaving you. ”再有一句“你嘗嘗罷，好吃得很呢！你林妹妹弱，吃了不消化；不然，他也愛吃。”這句連用了三個“吃”，但英譯本中沒有一個“eat ”，而譯成“Go and taste some. It’s really delicious. Cousin Dai yu’s so delicate, it would give her indigestion. If it were not for that, she’d like some too.”在《儒林外史》第十一回中有這樣一句：“好男不吃分家飯”譯做“Good sons don’t live on their inheritance.”

現在讓我們看下面的例句：

爸爸，我想吃點點心，你也吃點兒嗎？I’m ready for some dessert, Dad. You too?

直到吃完飯華倫才講話。Warren didn’t speak until he finished his meal.

他們吃了一頓極好的咖喱飯。They enjoyed a superb curry lunch.

吃點煎蛋卷還是吃點別的？How about an omelette, or something?

帕格一口一口地吃飯。Pug picked at food.

和我們一起吃飯吧。Join us for lunch.

我一點不喜歡吃那個東西。I’ve never learned to like that stuff.

我不怎么愛吃生蒜。I’m not especially fond of raw garlic.

她已好多了，飯也吃得下了。She is much better, she’s got an appetite now.

他是吃素的。He takes only vegetarian food.

他請朋友們吃飯。He entertained friends at dinner.

這碗飯不容易吃。This is a hard way to earn a living.

他愛吃甜食。He has a sweet tooth.

你真是癩蛤蟆想吃天鵝肉！You are like a toad trying to swallow a swan!

他去吃喜酒了。He went to a wedding feast.

你喜歡吃什么風味的菜？What sort of food would you like?

請再吃點臘肉。Please help yourself to some more cured meat.

通過以上各個例句，可見“吃”并不一定要用“eat”來表達。在不同的情況下可以用不同的表達方式。
　　
（南京師范大學通訊員：朱宇清 英語點津姍姍編輯）

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