漢語的四字詞組，廣義而論，既包括結構嚴密，不能隨意拆開的四字成語，如"雪中送炭"，也包括任意組合而成的四字詞組，如"悲喜人生"。這種以"四字格"為基本形式的四字詞組，言簡意賅，形象生動，音節優美，韻律協調，是漢語的一大特點。英譯漢時，若使用恰當，則既能保存原作的“豐姿”，又能使譯文生色。
現代翻譯學認為，譯文與原文在意義上應動態對應，不要形式對等。因此，從原文的深層意義出發，英語句中的單詞、短語、習語，甚至整句，都可譯成相應的漢語四字詞組。例如：
The girls arrayed themselves in their finest clothes．這些姑娘打扮得花枝招展。
The truth comes out．真相大白。
The two theories vary, but they are compassable. 這兩種理論雖然各有千秋，但它們是并行不悖的。
Misery loves company. 同病相憐。
I congratulate myself on my narrow escape.我慶幸自己死里逃生。
All things conspired to make him happy.事事巧合使他心滿意足。
She exulted to find that she had succeeded. 她為自己大功告成而狂喜。
He contrived to make a mess of the whole thing.他挖空心思，反而把事情全盤弄糟了。
You can't come round with such yarns．你別想用這套花言巧語來哄騙我。
It has no counterpart in the world．舉世無雙。
The storm clouds gathered darkly. 烏云密布。
The data is not enough to be convincing. 資料不足，難以令人信服。
He was daunted by the amount of work still to be done. 還有那么多工作要做，弄得他灰心喪氣。
He was silent in default by any excuse. 他無可推委，啞口無言。
There is no denying the fact．事實無可否認。
Her eyes became dimmed with tears. 她淚眼朦朧。
Defeat after defeat filled us with despair. 接二連三的失敗，使我們深感絕望。
His speech was dreary. 他的演講枯燥乏味。
The state was in disruption.這個國家處于分崩離析之中。
由此可見，熟練掌握漢語的四字詞組，充分理解、挖掘英語原文的深刻含義，就能在翻譯中得心應手、運用自如。
（選摘自《譯者》 華南師范大學外文學院通訊員 麥艷文供稿）
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