英語成語故事在線聽
a boy and his tree
a long ago,there was a huge apple tree. a little boy love to come and play around it everyday.he climbed to the tree top,ate the apples,took a nap under the shadow…he loved the tree and the tree loved to play with him.time went by…the little boy had grown up and he no longer played around the tree everyday.
one day,the boy came back to the tree and he looked.
"come and play with me ,"the tree asked the boy .
"i am no longer a kid, i don't play around trees anymore."the boy replied,
"i want toys.i need money to buy them."
"sorry,but i don't have money…but you can pick all my apples and sell them.
so,you will have money."the boy was so excited .he grabbed all the apples
on the tree and left happily.the boy never came back after he picked the
apples.the tree was sad.
one day,the boy returned and the tree was so excited.
"come and play with me ,"the tree said.
"i don't have time to play.i have to work for my family.we need a house for
shelter.can you help me?"
"sorry,but i don't have a house .but you can chop off my branches to build
your house."so the boy cut all the branches of the tree and left happily.
the tree was glad to see him happy but the boy never came back since then.
the tree was again lonely and sad.
one hot summer day,the boy returned and the tree was delighted.
"come and play with me !"the tree said.
"i am sad and getting old.iwant to go sailing to relax myself.can you give
a boat?"
"use my truck to build your boat.you can sail faraway and be happy."
so the boy cut the tree truck to make a boat .he went sailing and never
showed up for a long time.
finally, the boy returned after he left for so many years.
"sorry,my boy.but i don't have anything for you anymore.no more apples for
for you…「the tree said.
"i don't have teeth to bite."the boy replied.
"no more truck foe you to climb on."
"i am too old for that now."the boy said.
"i really can give you anything…the only thing left is my dying roots."the
tree said with tears.
"i don't need much now,just a place to rest.i am tired after all these year"
the boy replied.
"good!old tree roots is the best place to lean on and rest. come,come sit
down with me and rest."the boy sat down and the tree was glad and smiled
with tears……
this is a story of everyone. the tree is our parent. when we were young, we loved to play with mom and dad……
when we grown up, we left them…only came to them when we need something or when we are in trouble.
no matter what,parents will alway be there and give everything they could to make you happy.
you may think the boy is cruel to the tree but that how all of us are treating our parent.tme is too slow for those who wait,too swift for those who fear,too long for those who grieve,too short for those who rejoice,but for those who love,time is eternity
從前，有一棵巨大的蘋果樹。
一個小男孩每天都喜歡在樹下玩耍。他爬樹，吃蘋果，在樹蔭下小睡……他愛和樹玩，樹也愛和他玩。
時間過的很快，小男孩長大了，他不再每天都來樹下玩耍了。
「來和我玩吧。」樹說。
「我不再是孩子了，我再也不會在樹下玩了。」男孩回答道，「我想要玩具，我需要錢去買玩具。」
「對不起，我沒有錢……但是，你可以把我的蘋果摘下來，拿去賣錢，這樣你就有錢了。」
男孩興奮的把所有的蘋果都摘下來，高興的離開了。男孩摘了蘋果後很久都沒有回來。樹很傷心。
一天，男孩回來了，樹很激動。
「來和我玩吧。」樹說。
「我沒時間玩，我得工作，養家糊口。我們需要一棟房子，你能幫助我嗎?」
「對不起，我沒有房子，但是你可以砍下我的樹枝，拿去蓋你的房子。」男孩把所有的樹枝都砍下來，高興的離開了。
看到男孩那麼高興，樹非常欣慰。但是，男孩從此很久都沒回來。樹再一次孤獨，傷心起來。
一個炎熱的夏日，男孩終於回來了，樹很欣慰。
「來和我玩吧!」樹說。
「我過的不快樂，我也一天天變老了，我想去航海放鬆一下。你能給我一條船嗎?」
「用我的樹干造你的船吧，你就能快樂地航行到遙遠的地方了。」男孩把樹干砍下來，做成了一條船。
他去航海了，很長時間都沒露面。
最後，過了很多年，男孩終於回來了。
「對不起，孩子，我再也沒有什麼東西可以給你了……」樹說。
「我已經沒有牙咬蘋果了。」男孩回答道。
「我也沒有樹干讓你爬了。」樹說。
「我已經老得爬不動了。」男孩說。
「我真的不能再給你任何東西了，除了我正在死去的樹根。」樹含著淚說。
「我現在不需要什麼了，只想找個地方休息。過了這么些年，我累了。」男孩回答道。
「太好了!老樹根正是休息是最好的倚靠，來吧，來坐在我身邊，休息一下吧。」
男孩坐下了，樹很高興，含著淚微笑著……
⑵ 英語成語故事
邯鄲學步
English
相傳在兩千年前，燕國壽陵地方有一位少年，不知道姓啥叫啥，就叫他壽陵少年吧！
這位壽陵少年不愁吃不愁穿，論長相也算得上中等人材，可他就是缺乏自信心，經常無緣無故地感到事事不如人，低人一等——衣服是人家的好，飯菜是人家的香，站相坐相也是人家高雅。他見什麼學什麼，學一樣丟一樣，雖然花樣翻新，卻始終不能做好一件事，不知道自己該是什麼模樣。
家裡的人勸他改一改這個毛病，他以為是家裡人管得太多。親戚、鄰居們，說他是狗熊掰棒子，他也根本聽不進去。日久天長，他竟懷疑自己該不該這樣走路，越看越覺得自己走路的姿勢太笨，太丑了。
有一天，他在路上碰到幾個人說說笑笑，只聽得有人說邯鄲人走路姿勢那叫美。他一聽，對上了心病，急忙走上前去，想打聽個明白。不料想，那幾個人看見他，一陣大笑之後揚長而去。
邯鄲人走路的姿勢究竟怎樣美呢？他怎麼也想像不出來。這成了他的心病。終於有一天，他瞞著家人，跑到遙遠的邯鄲學走路去了。
一到邯鄲，他感到處處新鮮，簡直令人眼花繚亂。看到小孩走路，他覺得活潑、美，學；看見老人走路，他覺得穩重，學；看到婦女走路，搖擺多姿，學。就這樣，不過半月光景，他連走路也不會了，路費也花光了，只好爬著回去了。
故事出自《莊子·秋水》。成語「邯鄲學步」，比喻生搬硬套，機械地模仿別人，不但學不到別人的長處，反而會把自己的優點和本領也丟掉。
Imitating Another without Success and Losing What Used to Be One'sOwn Ability
Tradition has it that more than 2,oooyears ago,there lived a young man in the Shouling area of the State of Yan.As his name is not known ,we just call him Shouling young man for convenience's sake.
self confident He was at a loss as to how to behave all the time.
His family members advised him to overcome this shortcoming,but he thought they were fond of poking their noses into his business and were unwilling to provide him with tuition fee.His relatives and neighbours sneered at him,saying that he would never be able to learn anything.Asthe days went by,he even began to doubt whether he should walk the way he did,for he felt more and more that his walking gestures were too clumsy and awkward.
One day,he met some people on the road who werechattingand laughing.One of themsaid that people in Handan walked most gracefully.And thatwas just what he was most concerned about,so he hurreed towards themand wanted to make further inquiries.To his surprise,when these people saw him,they stalked off laughing.
He could not picture to himself in what way their walking gestures were graceful,no matter how hard he racked his parents one day.He went to Handanwhich was far away to learn how to walk.
As soon as he arrived in Handan,he was dazzled to find that everything was novel.He learned from the children there how to walk,because he thought that the children's walking gestures were lively and pleasing to the eye.He learnd from the old people there how to walk,because he thought the old people's walking gestures were steady .He learnd from the women there how to walk,because he thought the women' swaying walking gestures were beautiful.That being the case with him ,in less than half a month he even forgot how to walk.As he had already used up his traveling expenses,he had to crawl back home.
Thisstory come from the article"Autumn Water"in The Works of Xhuang Zi(Zhuang Zi was a famous ancient Chinese philosopher of about 300B.c.).Later the set phrase"initating another without success and losing what used to be one's own ability"is used to refer to acts of copying others mechanisally in disregard of specififc conditions.
汲黯是西漢武帝時代人，以剛直正義、敢講真話而受人尊重。他為人和做官都不拘小節，講求實效。雖然表面上不那麼轟轟烈烈，卻能把一個郡治理得井井有條，因此，朝廷把他從東海太守調到朝廷當主爵都尉——一種主管地方吏任免的官職。
有一次，漢武帝說要實行儒家的仁義之政，為老百姓辦好事了。沒等皇帝把話說完，汲黯就說：「陛下內心裡那麼貪婪多欲，表面上卻要裝得實行仁政，這是何苦呢？」一句話把皇帝噎了回去。漢武帝登時臉色大變，宣布罷朝，滿朝文武都為汲黯捏著一把汗，擔心他會因此招來大禍。武帝回到宮里以後，對身邊的人說，汲黯這個人也未免太粗太直了。
從此以後，汲黯的官職再也沒有提升。他當主爵都尉的時候，公孫弘、張湯都還是不起眼的小官，後來，他們一個勁兒住上升，公孫弘當上了丞相，張湯做上了御史大夫，可他汲黯還蹲在原地沒動窩。有一天，汲黯對武帝說，陛下使用群臣，跟碼劈柴一樣，是「後來者居上」啊！漢武帝當然聽得出這是發牢騷。於是，轉臉對臣下們說：「人真是不能不學習啊！你們聽汲黯說話，越來越離譜了！」
故事出自《史記·汲鄭列傳》。成語「後來居上」，往往指後起的可以勝過先前的。和汲黯說這話的原意，大不相同。
The Latecomers Surpass the Old-timers
This set phrase is derived from the complaints Ji An made to the emperor.
Ji Anlived at the time of Emperor Wudi of the Western Han Dynasty (206 B.C.-A.D.24). He was respected for being upright and just and for daring to speak the truth. He did not bother about amall matters in personal behaviour and in being an official. He was particular about actual effects and ,although he did not cause a stir ,he could keep the prefecture he governed in perfect order. Because of this. the imperial court transferred him to the central government from being the perfect of the Donghai Prefecture to being a commander in charge of the appointment and dismissal of the local officals.
Once,Emperor Wudi said that he would implement the policy of benevolence and justice of Confucianism and would do good turns to the people.Emperor Wudi Had hardly finished his remards when Ji An said that there was no need for the emperor to say so.Why should the emperor bother,Ji An said, about pretending to implement the policy of benevolence and justice since he was so greedy and avaricious within himself? This choked the emperor off. The emperor suddenly Changed his countenance and declared the meeting over. All the civilian and military officers at court were breathless with anxiety for fear that Ji An might bring disaster upon himself because of this. After returning, Emperor Wudi said to the people around him that Ji An was a little too rude and too straightforward.
For this reason ,Ji An was never promoted again. When he was the commander in charge of the appointment and dismissal of the local officials, both Gongsun Hong and Zhang Tang were low -ranking lfficials of little importance. Later ,they were promoted continuously. Gongsun Hong became the prime minister and Zhang Tang became the imperial censor. However, JiAn's post remained thesame. One day, Ji An said to Emperor Wudi that the way the emperor used his ministers was just like piling up firewood, which meant that the latecomers surpassed the old-timers. Of course, Emperor Wudi could see that Ji An was complaining. So,turning to his ministers, Emperor Wudi said, "It is true that no one can stop learning.You see, Ji An is making more and more indiscreet remarks."
This story comes from The Historical Records. Later generations use the set phrase "the latecomers surpass the old-timers " to indicate that successors can cxcel the predecessors, which is quite different from the original idea when Ji An said that the latecomers surpassed the old-timers.
⑶ 成語故事 英文版
掩耳盜鈴抄Plugging One's Ears While Stealing a Bell
春秋時侯，晉襲國貴族智伯滅掉了范氏。有人趁機跑到范氏家裡想偷點東西，看見院子里吊著一口大鍾。鍾是用上等青銅鑄成的，造型和圖案都很精美。小偷心裡高興極了，想把這口精美的大鍾背回自已家去。可是鍾又大又重，怎麼也挪不動。他想來想去，只有一個辦法，那就是把鍾敲碎，然後再分別搬回家。
小偷找來一把大大錘，拚命朝鍾砸去，咣的一聲巨響，把他嚇了一大跳。小偷著慌，心想這下糟了，這種聲不就等於是告訴人們我正在這里偷鍾嗎？他心裡一急，身子一下子撲到了鍾上，張開雙臂想捂住鍾聲，可鍾聲又怎麼捂得住呢！鍾聲依然悠悠地傳向遠方。
他越聽越害怕，不同自由地抽回雙手，使勁捂住自已的耳朵。「咦，鍾聲變小了，聽不見了！」小偷高興起來，「妙極了！把耳朵捂住不住就聽不進鍾聲了嗎！」他立刻找來兩個布團，把耳朵塞住，心想，這下誰也聽不見鍾聲了。於是就放手砸起鍾來，一下一下，鍾聲響亮地傳到很遠的地方。人們聽到鍾聲蜂擁而至把小偷捉住了。
故事出自《呂氏春秋
⑷ 成語故事的英文版txt
內容預覽：這故事出自「戰國策」。戰國時代，楚國有一個大臣，名叫庄辛，有一天對楚襄王說：「你在宮裡面的時候，左邊是州侯，右邊是夏侯；出去的時候，鄢陵君和壽跟君又總是隨看你。你和這四個人專門講究奢侈淫樂，不管國家大事，郢（楚都，在今湖北省江陵縣北）一定要危險啦！」襄王聽了，很不高與，氣罵道：「你老糊塗了嗎？故意說這些險惡的話惑亂人心嗎？」庄辛不慌不忙的回答說：「我實在感覺事情一定要到這個地步的，不敢故意說楚國有什麼不幸。如果你一直寵信這個人，楚國一定要滅亡的。你既然不信我的話，請允許我到趙國躲一躲，看事情究竟會怎樣。」庄辛到趙國才住了五個月，秦國果然派兵侵楚，襄王被迫流亡到陽城（今河南息縣西北）。這才覺得庄辛的話不錯，趕緊派人把庄辛找回來，問他有什麼辦法；庄辛很誠懇地說：「我聽說過，看見兔子牙想起獵犬，這還不晚；羊跑掉了才補羊圈，也還不遲。……」這是一則很有意義的故事，只知道享樂，不知道如何做事……
⑸ 經典英語成語故事：聞雞起舞
聞雞起舞
[讀音][wén jī抄 qǐ wǔ襲]
[解釋]東晉時，祖逖和劉琨同為司州主簿，常互相勉勵振作。半夜聽到雞鳴，立即起來舞劍。語出《晉書·祖逖傳》。後以「聞雞起舞」比喻及時奮發。
[出處]宋·松洲《念奴嬌·題鍾山樓》：「擊楫誓清；聞雞起舞；畢竟英雄得。」
[近義]然糠照薪發奮圖強鍥而不舍雞鳴而起廢寢忘食自強不息發憤圖強
[反義]自暴自棄苟且偷安
⑹ 英語成語故事：枕戈待旦
枕戈待旦
zhěn gē dài dàn
【解釋】戈：古代的一種兵器；旦：早晨。意思是立志殺敵，枕著武器睡覺等天亮。形容時刻准備作戰，。
【出處】《晉書·劉琨傳》：「吾枕戈待旦，志梟逆虜。」
【結構】連動式。
【用法】用作褒義。一般作謂語、定語、狀語。
【正音】戈；不能讀作「ɡě」。
【辨形】枕；不能寫作「忱」或「沈」；待；不能寫作「侍」。
【近義詞】枕戈坐甲、枕戈以待
【反義詞】醉生夢死、高枕無憂
【辨析】～和「嚴陣以待」都有「警惕性高；等待敵人」的意思。但「嚴陣以待」偏重在做好了充分准備；以嚴整的陣勢；等待來犯的敵人；～偏重在殺敵心切；指睡覺時仍不放鬆戒備；等待著殺敵。
【例句】這支英雄艦隊；～；日夜守衛在東海前哨。
【英譯】makeapillowofone』sspearwaitingfordaybreak
【成語故事】西晉人祖逖和劉琨，都是性格開朗、仗義好俠的志士。年輕時不但文章寫得好，而且都喜歡練武健身，決心報效祖國。當時，晉朝表面上還管轄著中原大地，但實際上已是內憂外患，風雨飄搖了。祖逖和劉琨一談起國家局勢，總是慷慨萬分，常常聊到深夜。
一天，祖逖又和劉琨談得十分興奮，劉琨不知什麼時候睡著了，祖逖卻久久沉浸在談話的興奮之中，不能入睡。「喔，喔，喔－－」荒原上的雄雞叫了起來，祖逖一躍而起，踢醒了劉琨：「聽，這雄雞啼鳴多麼振奮人心呀，快起來練劍吧！」於是，兩人操起劍來，在高坡上對舞。從此，他倆每天清早聽到頭一聲鳴叫，一定來到荒原上抖擻神練起劍來。
劉琨被祖逖的愛國熱情深深感動，決心獻身於祖。一次他給家人的信中寫道：「在國家危難時刻，我經常『枕戈待旦』（枕著兵器睡覺一直到天明），立志報國，常擔心落在祖逖後邊，不想他到底走到我的前頭了！……」
⑺ 英語成語故事 要有翻譯
Sweat is HuoGuang, emperor han commander-in-chief of TuoGu ministers, drinking eight years of emperor han style-came kisen, ruling pomp very heavy. HuoGuang nearby have a call YangChang people, act is timid, popular with HuoGuang recognition, rose to prime minister position, seal for anping syndrome. Actually, YangChang humanness cowardly incompetence, timid, not when the prime minister of the material. 74 B.C., was only twenty one-year-old han emperor died.both in WeiYangGong kisen, with all the princes HuoGuang counsel, chose the emperor's grandson made WangLiuHe nearbu heir. Behold LiuHe ascended the mid-north song and dance, often pleasure-resorts. HuoGuang heard later, anxieties, and bike ride general ZhangAn births, TianYanNian secret counsel, on to nullify LiuHe, set up other Yin jun. After TianYanNian HuoGuangPa goading agreed to jointly YangChang, tell gun. YangChang all of a sudden, she was scared to sweat, panic, just something indistinctly fence. YangChang wife, is TaiShiGong sima qian's daughter, quite have the guts. She saw her husband shilly-shally appearance, secretly worried, while TianYanNian change clothes walk away, infero-anterior advised her husband and said, "National affairs, will shilly-shally. General has ChengYi, you should also chosin reservoir, otherwise inevitable difficult ahead." YangChang step back and forth in the house, but had no acid attention. Just at this time TianYanNian back, SiMaFu people avoid inferior, straight-tempered without embarrassment and TianYanNian meet, told TianYanNian, her husband willing to listen to the general's command. TianYanNian after listening pleased to take leave walk. TianYanNian returns HuoGuang, HuoGuang very satisfied. YangChang brought all the princes immediately arrange table, playing please dowager. The next day, YangChang advice, ernie see luang nearbu king unbearable successin statement of reason. Queen letter removed immediately LiuHe, another sign of emperor of the once SunLiu enquiry for jun, was said han XuanDi.
Idioms citations, han shu YangChang biography of our afraid, not words. Jia sweated back ACTS yes just.
Idioms interpretations ", "Jia drenched, sweating much soaked backbone. Describe sweat. Also describe extreme fear or ashamed excessive.
汗流浹背 漢大將軍霍光，是漢武帝的託孤重臣，輔佐八歲即位的漢昭帝執政，威勢很重。霍光身邊有個叫楊敞的人，行事謹小慎微，頗受霍光賞識，升至丞相職位，封為安平候。其實，楊敞為人懦弱無能，膽小怕事，根本不是當丞相的材料。公元前74年，年僅廿一歲的漢昭帝駕崩於未央宮，霍光與眾臣商議，選了漢武帝的孫子昌邑王劉賀作繼承人。誰知劉賀繼位後，經常宴飲歌舞，尋歡作樂。霍光聽說後，憂心忡忡，與車騎將軍張安世、大司馬田延年秘密商議，打算廢掉劉賀，另立賢君。計議商定後，霍光派田延年告訴楊敞、以便共同行事。楊敞一聽，頓時嚇得汗流浹背，驚恐萬分，只是含含糊糊，不置可否。楊敞的妻子，是太史公司馬遷的女兒，頗有膽識。她見丈夫猶豫不決的樣子，暗暗著急，趁田延年更衣走開時，上前勸丈夫說；「國家大事，豈能猶豫不決。大將軍已有成議，你也應當速戰速決，否則必然太難臨頭。」楊敞在房裡來回酸步，卻拿不定注意。正巧此時田延年回來，司馬夫人迴避不及，索性大大方方地與田延年相見，告知田延年，她丈夫願意聽從大將軍的吩咐。田延年聽了後高興地告辭走了。田延年回報霍光，霍光十分滿意，馬上安排楊敞領眾臣上表，奏請皇太後。第二天，楊敞與群臣遏見皇太後，陳述昌邑王不堪繼承王位的原因。太後立即下詔廢去劉賀，另立漢武帝的曾孫劉詢為君，史稱漢宣帝。
成語出處《漢書·楊敞傳》敝驚懼，不知所言。汗出浹背徒唯唯而已。
成語釋義「浹」，濕透，出汗多，濕透脊樑。形容滿身大汗。也形容極度惶恐或慚愧過度。
⑻ 英語版中國成語故事帶翻譯，短一點
塞翁失馬Blessing
or
Bane
戰國時期，靠近北部邊城，住著一個老人，名叫塞翁。塞翁養了許多馬，一天，他的馬群中忽然有一匹走失了。鄰居們聽說這件事，跑來安慰，勸他不必太著急，年齡大了，多注意身體。塞翁見有人勸慰，笑了笑說：「丟了一匹馬損失不大，沒准會帶來什麼福氣呢。」
鄰居聽了塞翁的話，心裡覺得很好笑。馬丟了，明明是件壞事，他卻認為也許是好事，顯然是自我安慰而已。過了幾天，丟失的馬不僅自動返回家，還帶回一匹匈奴的駿馬。
鄰居聽說了，對塞翁的預見非常佩服，向塞翁道賀說：「還是您有遠見，馬不僅沒有丟，還帶回一匹好馬，真是福氣呀。」
塞翁聽了鄰人的祝賀，反而一點高興的樣子都沒有，憂慮地說：「白白得了一匹好馬，不一定是什麼福氣，也許惹出什麼麻煩來。」
鄰居們以為他故作姿態純屬老年人的狡猾。心裡明明高興，有意不說出來。
塞翁有個獨生子，非常喜歡騎馬。他發現帶回來的那匹馬顧盼生姿，身長蹄大，嘶鳴嘹亮，膘悍神駿，一看就知道是匹好馬。他每天都騎馬出遊，心中洋洋得意。
一天，他高興得有些過火，打馬飛奔，一個趔趄，從馬背上跌下來，摔斷了腿。鄰居聽說，紛紛來慰問。
塞翁說：「沒什麼，腿摔斷了卻保住性命，或許是福氣呢。」鄰居們覺得他又在胡言亂語。他們想不出，摔斷腿會帶來什麼福氣。
不久，匈奴兵大舉入侵，青年人被應征入伍，塞翁的兒子因為摔斷了腿，不能去當兵。入伍的青年都戰死了，唯有塞翁的兒子保全了性命。
Near
China's
northern
borders
lived
a
man
well
versed
in
the
practices
of
Taoism.
His
horse,
for
no
reason
at
all,
got
into
the
territory
of
the
northern
tribes.
Everyone
commiserated
with
him.
"Perhaps
this
will
soon
turn
out
to
be
a
blessing,"
said
his
father.
After
a
few
months,
his
animal
came
back,
leading
a
fine
horse
from
the
north.
Everyone
congratulated
him.
"Perhaps
this
will
soon
turn
out
to
be
a
cause
of
misfortune,"
said
his
father.
Since
he
was
well-off
and
kept
good
horses
his
son
became
fond
of
riding
and
eventually
broke
his
thigh
bone
falling
from
a
horse.
Everyone
commiserated
with
him.
"Perhaps
this
will
soon
turn
out
to
be
a
blessing,"
said
his
father.
One
year
later,
the
northern
tribes
started
a
big
invasion
of
the
border
regions.
All
able-bodied
young
men
took
up
arms
and
fought
against
the
invaders,
and
as
a
result,
around
the
border
nine
out
of
ten
men
died.
This
man's
son
did
not
join
in
the
fighting
because
he
was
crippled
and
so
both
the
boy
and
his
father
survived.
⑼ 誰有簡單的英文成語故事
成語故事，中英文對照
驚弓之鳥
Birds Startled by the Mere Twang of a Bowstring
戰國時期（公元前403―221年中國中原地區各諸侯國連年爭戰的時代）魏國有個名叫更羸的人。一天，他對國王說：「我只要拉開弓，空射一下，就能把天上的鳥射下來。」國王不相信。更羸便對准天上飛來的一隻雁射去，果真那隻雁聽到拉弦的聲音就掉了下來。國王感到很奇怪。更羸說，「那是一隻受過傷的雁。它一聽到我拉開弓弦的聲響，就驚慌得支持不住，自然要掉下來了。」
In the Warring States Period, there was a man in the State of Wei called Geng Lei. One day he said to the king: 'I can shoot down birds by simply plucking my bowstring.' When the king expressed doubt, Geng Lei pointed his bow at a wild goose flying in the sky, twanged the bowstring, and the goose fell to the ground. Geng Lei said, 'This goose has been hurt in the past. Hearing the twang of the bowstring, it assumed that it was doomed. So it simply gave up trying to live.'
「驚弓之鳥」這個成語比喻受過驚恐之後，有一點動靜就特別害怕。
This idiom means that if one has been frightened in the past one's will may become paralysed in a similar situation.
毛遂自薦
Mao Sui Recommending Himself
戰國時代，秦國軍隊攻打趙國的都城。趙國的平原君打算親自到楚國去請救兵，想挑選一個精明能乾的人一同前去。有一個名叫毛遂的人，自告奮勇願意同去。平原君到楚國後，與楚王談了半天，沒有一點結果。毛遂怒氣沖沖地拿著寶劍，逼近楚王，終於迫使楚王答應出兵，與趙國聯合共同抵抗秦國。
In the Warring States Period, the State of Qin besieged the capital of the State of Zhao. Duke Pingyuan of Zhao planned to ask the ruler of the State of Chu personally for assistance. He wanted to select a capable man to go with him. A man called Mao Sui volunteered. When the negoti-actions between the two states were stalled because the ruler of Chu hesitated to send troops, Mao Sui approached him, brandishing a sword. At that, the ruler of Chu agreed to help Zhao, against Qin.
「毛遂自薦」這個成語用來比喻自己推薦自己，不必別人介紹。
This idiom means to recommend oneself.
世外桃源
A Haven of Peace and Happiness
東晉的文學家陶淵明寫了一片著名的文章叫《桃花源記》。敘述一個漁人出外捕魚的時候，偶然來到了桃花源這個地方。從這里通過一個山洞，發現了一個村子，這里的居民是秦朝時避難人的後代。這是一個與世隔絕、沒有剝削和壓迫、人人安居樂業的美好社會。漁人告別村民回家以後，再也找不到這個地方了。
Tao Yuanming, a famous writer of the Eastern Jin Dynasty (317-420), wrote the well-known essay Peach-Blossom Spring. In it he tells a story which goes like this: A fisherman happened to come upon a place called Peach-Blossom Spring. Squeezing through a cave, he found a village, the residents of which were descendants of refugees from the Qin Dynasty. It was a paradise isolated from the outside world, without exploitation or oppression, and everybody living and working in peace and contentment. The fisherman left the villagers and went home. But he could never find the place again.
後來，由這個故事產生了「世外桃源」這個成語，用來比喻與世隔絕的、理想的美好世界。
This idiom is derived from the above story, and is used to mean an isolated, ideal world.
南轅北轍
Going South by Driving the Chariot North
從前有個人要到南方去，他坐的車子卻向北方行駛。過路人說：「你去南方，車子怎麼向北行駛呢？」他回答說：「我的馬很能跑路，我的車夫駕車的技術也很高明，加上我又帶了充足的路費。」這個人沒有考慮到，方向弄反了，他的條件越好，離他要去的地方就越遠。
Once a man wanted to go to the south, but his carriage was heading north. A passer-by asked him: 'If you are going to the south, why is your chariot heading north? ' The man answered, 'My horse is good at running, my driver is highly skilled at driving a carriage, and I have enough money. ' The man didn't consider that the direction might be wrong; the better his conditions were, the further he was away from his destination.
後來人們就把這個故事概括為「南轅北轍」，比喻一個人的行為和他的目的正好相反。
The idiom derived from this story indicates that one's action was the opposite effect to one's intention.
畫龍點睛
Putting the Finishing Touch to the Picture of a Dragon
南北朝(公元420--589)時期，有個畫家叫張僧繇。有一次，他到一個寺廟去遊玩，在牆壁上面畫了四條龍，可是都沒有畫出眼睛。看畫的人覺得很奇怪，問他為什麼不畫出眼睛。他說：「眼睛是龍的關鍵，畫上眼睛，龍就會飛走了。」大家不相信他說的話。張僧繇拿起筆來，剛給兩條龍點上眼睛，立刻電閃雷鳴，兩條龍飛向天空，牆上只剩下兩條沒有畫眼睛的龍。
In the Southern and Northern Dynasties Period (420-589), there was a painter called Zhang Sengyou. Once he visited a temple and painted on the wall four dragons, but gave none of them eyes. The onlookers felt that this was odd, and asked why he hadn't painted the eyes. He answered, 'Eyes are crucial for dragons. With the eyes painted on, the dragons would fly away.' Nobody believed this, so Zhang Sengyou took up his brush and added eyes to two of the dragons. No sooner had he finished than the two dragons flew into the sky amid a thunderstorm. The two without eyes stayed painted on the wall.
「畫龍點睛」這個成語用來比喻講話或寫文章時，在關鍵地方加一兩句重要的話，使內容更加生動有力。
This idiom is used to describe how, when writing or speaking, one or two key sentences will enhance the contents.
畫蛇添足
Drawing a snake and Adding Feet
戰國時代有個楚國人祭他的祖先。儀式結束後，他拿出一壺酒賞給手下的幾個人。大家商量說：「我們都來畫蛇，誰先畫好誰就喝這壺酒。」其中有一個人先畫好了。但他看到同伴還沒有畫完，就又給蛇添上了腳。這時，另一個人也畫好了，奪過酒壺吧酒喝了，並且說：「蛇本來是沒有腳的，你怎麼能給它添上腳呢？」
In the Warring States Period, a man in the State of Chu was offering a sacrifice to his ancestors. After the ceremony, the man gave a beaker of wine to his servants. The servants thought that there was not enough wine for all them, and decided to each draw a picture of a snake; the one who finished the picture first would get the wine. One of them drew very rapidly. Seeing that the others were still busy drawing, he added feet to the snake. At this moment another man finished, snatched the beaker and drank the wine, saying, 'A snake doesn't have feet. How can you add feet to a snake? '
「畫蛇添足」這個成語比喻做了多餘而不恰當的事，反而把事情弄糟了。
This idiom refers to ruining a venture by doing unnecessary and surplus things.
班門弄斧
Showing Off One's Proficiency with the Axe Before Lu Ban the Master Carpenter
古代有一個建築和雕刻技術非常高超的人，名叫魯班，木匠行里尊稱他為祖師。傳說他曾用木頭製作了一隻五彩斑斕的鳳凰，能夠在空中飛翔三天不掉下來。在魯班門前擺弄斧子，當然顯得有些自不量力了。
Lu Ban was supposed to be a consummate carpenter in ancient times. It is said that he once carved a wooden phoenix that was so lifelike that it actually flew in the sky for three days. Thus it was considered the height of folly to show off one's skill with an axe in front of Lu Ban.
「班門弄斧」這個成語，用來比喻在行家面前顯示本領。
This idiom excoriates those who show off their slight accomplishments in front of experts.
可愛多 2005-6-13 08:38
怒發沖冠
So Angry That One' s Hair Lifts Up One' s Hat
戰國時代，趙國的大臣藺相如出使到秦國。在他向秦王索回玉璧的時候，秦王蠻不講理，藺相如氣憤得連頭發都豎了起來，向上沖著帽子。
In the Warring States Period, Lin Xiangru, chief min-ister of the State of Zhao, was sent as an envoy to the State of Qin to ask the ruler of Qin to return a fine piece of jade to Zhao. But the ruler of Qin was rude and unreasonable. Lin was angry, and his hair stood up so stiffly on his head that it lifted up his hat.
後來人們用「怒發沖冠」這個成語形容人憤怒到了極點。
This idiom came to be used to mean being extremely angry.
畫餅充飢
Allaying Hunger with Pictures of Cakes
三國時代魏國的皇帝曹睿，准備選拔一個有才能的人到朝廷來做官。曹睿對他的大臣說：「選擇人才，不能光找有虛名的人。虛名好像是在地上畫的一塊餅，只能看，不能解決肚子飢餓的問題啊！」
In the Three Kingdoms Period (220-280), the king of the Wei, Cao Rui, wanted to select a very capable man to work for him. He said to his ministers: 'When choosing a talented person, always beware of one with a false reputation. A false reputation is just like a picture of a cake; it can' t relieve hunger.'
後來人們就用「畫餅充飢」這個成語比喻用空想安慰自己，不能解決實際問題。
Later, this idiom came to be used to mean comforting oneself with unrealistic thoughts, without solving practical problems.
一鳴驚人
Amazing the World with a Single Feat
戰國時代，齊威王即位後做了三年國君，只顧享樂，不理政事。有個善於說笑話的人叫淳於髡，一天對齊威王說：「城裡有一隻大鳥，三年不飛也不叫，你知道這是什麼道理？」齊威王說：「這鳥不飛則罷，一飛就沖天；不鳴則罷，一鳴就驚人。」在淳於髡的激發下，齊威王開始治理國家，取得很大成績，齊國的聲威一直保持了幾十年。
In the Warring States Period, Duke Wei of Qi neglected state affairs, for the first three years of his reign, giving himself over to dissipation. One of his ministers, Chun Yukun who had a good sense of humour, said to him: 'There is a big bird which has neither taken wing nor sung for three years.' The ke answered, 'Once that bird starts to fly and sing, it will astonish the world.' The ke thereupon devoted himself to his ties and built his state up into a powerful one.
「一鳴驚人」用來表示平時默默無聞，一旦行動起來，卻做出驚人的成績。
This idiom is used to indicate that a person may rise from obscurity and achieve greatness.
株待兔
Sitting by a Stump, Waiting for a Careless Hare
春秋時代，宋國有個農夫，一天在耕田的時候，忽然跑來一隻兔子，恰巧碰在樹樁上，脖子折斷死了。農夫把兔子拾回家去，美美地吃了一頓兔肉。晚上他想：「我何必辛辛苦苦地種地呢？每天在樹下能撿到一隻兔子就夠我吃的了。」於是，他從此不再耕作，每天坐在樹下等待兔子的到來。
In the Spring and Autumn Period, a farmer in the State of Song was one day working in the fields when he saw a rabbit bump into a tree stump accidentally and break its neck. The farmer took the rabbit home, and cooked himself a delicious meal. That night he thought, 'I needn't work so hard. All I have to do is wait for a rabbit each day by the stump.' So from then on he gave up farming, and simply sat by the stump waiting for rabbits to come and run into it.
「守株待兔」這個成語，譏笑那些不想經過努力，存在僥幸心理，希望得到意外收獲的人。
This idiom satirizes those who just wait for a stroke of luck, rather than making efforts to obtain what they need.
Zengzi Slaughters a Pig
曾子殺彘
engzi』s wife was going to the market. Her little son insisted on going with her, making a tearful scene. 「Stay at home,」 she said to the boy. 「When I come back, I will slaughter a pig for you.」 When she came back, Zengzi got ready to slaughter the pig. His wife stopped him, saying: 「I was just kidding.」 「A child is not to be kidded like that!」 he replied. 「A child does not know much and cannot judge for himself. He learns from his parents and listens to what they day. To lie to him is to teach him to lie to others. If a mother lies to her son, he will not trust her anymore. How is she then to ecate him?」 With that Zengzi went to slaughter the pig and prepare a good meal for their son.
曾子的妻子到集市上去, 他的兒子哭著要跟去. 他的母親說: 「你回家呆著,待會兒我回來殺豬給你吃.」 她剛從集市上回來, 曾子就要捉豬去殺. 妻子勸止他說: 「只不過是跟孩子開玩笑罷了.」 曾子說: 「不能跟孩子開玩笑啊! 小孩子沒有思考和判斷能力, 要想父母親學習, 聽從父母的教導. 現在你欺騙他,這是教孩子騙人啊! 母親欺騙兒子, 兒子就不再相信自己的母親了, 這不是實現教育的方法.」 於是曾子就殺豬煮肉給孩子吃.
狐假虎威
Basking in Reflected Glory
老虎在山林里捉到了一隻狐狸，要吃掉它。狐狸連忙說：「你不能吃我，我是天帝派來統治百獸的。你要吃了我，就違抗了天帝的命令。你不信，就跟我到山林里去一趟，看百獸見了我是不是都很害怕。」老虎相信了狐狸的話，就跟在狐狸的後面走進山林。百獸見了果然都紛紛逃命。老虎以為百獸真的害怕狐狸而不知道是害怕自己，於是就把狐狸給放了。
A tiger caught a fox in a forest, and was just about to eat it, when the fox said, 'You mustn't eat me. I was sent by Heaven to rule the animals. By eating me, you will violate the command of Heaven. If you don't believe me, just follow me to see whether the animals are afraid of me.' The tiger agreed, and followed the fox as it walked around the forest. The animals all ran away on seeing them. The tiger thought they were afraid of the fox, so he let it go. He didn't realise that it was him that the beasts were really afraid of.
「狐假虎威」這個成語用來比喻倚仗別人的勢力去欺壓人或嚇唬人。
This idiom means relying on another's power to bully or frighten others.
破鏡重圓
A Broken Mirror Made Whole Agian
南朝陳國(公元557-589)將要滅亡的時候，駙馬徐德言把一面銅鏡破開，跟妻子各留下一半。雙方約定：如果將來夫妻失散了，就把它當作信物。後來，夫妻二人真的失散了，憑借著各人留下的半面鏡子，他們最終又得到團圓。
In the Northern and Southern Dynasties when the State of Chen (A.D. 557-589) was facing its demise, Xu Deyan, husband of the princess, broke a bronze mirror into halves. Each of them kept a half as tokens in case they were separated. Soon afterwards, they did lose touch with each other, but the two halves of the mirror enabled them to be reunited.
「破鏡重圓」這個成語比喻夫妻失散或分離後重新團聚。
This idiom is used to refer to the reunion of a couple after they lose touch or break up.
一鼓作氣
Rousing the Spirits with the First Drum Roll
春秋時代，齊國派兵攻打魯國。魯國的國王魯庄公帶著謀士曹劌指揮作戰。齊軍第一次擊鼓以後，魯軍准備發起進攻。曹劌說：「不行。」齊軍三次擊鼓以後，曹劌才說：「現在可以進攻了。」結果齊軍大敗。戰斗結束後，魯庄公問曹劌勝利的原因。曹劌說：「打仗要考勇氣。第一次擊鼓，士氣十分旺盛；第二次擊鼓，士氣有些衰落；第三次擊鼓，士氣就消耗盡了。敵人士氣耗盡，我們發起進攻，所以取得了勝利。」
During the Spring and Autumn Period, an army from the State of Qi confronted one from the State of Lu. After the first roll of drums from the Qi side to summon Lu to battle, the Lu ruler wanted to attack. But his counsellor Cao Gui said, 'We should wait until the third drum roll, sire.' After the Qi side had beaten the drums three times, the Lu army attacked and defeated the Qi army. After the battle, the king asked Cao Gui the reason for his odd advice. Cao Gui answered, 'Fighting needs spirit. Their spirit was aroused by the first roll or the drums, but was depleted by the second. And it was completely exhausted by the third. We started to attack when their spirit was exhausted. That's why we won.'
後來，「一鼓作氣」形容鼓起勁頭，一下子把事情幹完。
This idiom later meant to get something done with one sustained effort.
⑽ 英語版中國成語故事
江郎才盡
Southern Dynasties of Jiang Yan, word Wen-tung, when he was young, became a Dingdingyouming writer, his poems and articles at the time received high acclaims. However, when he is getting older, he has not previously written an article good, but a lot of setbacks. His poems written in prosaic; and pick up a pen-yin grip for a long time, still can not write a word, the occasional inspiration came; poem written, but the textual Kuse, content, plain were completely useless. So some people to legend, once a boat parked in Chan Jiang Yan-Ling Monastery river and dream of a self-named Zhang Jingyang person; to his followers repay a silk, he would arrest a few feet from her, he is also silk. Thus, his article there will be no wonderful. It was also legend; once the rule of Jiang Yan in the booth sleeping too; dreamed that a person claiming to Guo Pu, walked over to his side, his claim to the pen, said to him: "Man Michie, I have a pen in your place has been a long time, and now should be able to give it to me the bar! "Jiang Yan heard, they dig out from his arms, he is also a five-color pen. Reportedly Since then, Jiang Yan on Evans exhausted and could not write the article in any good.
Jiang Yan's talent has not really run out, but he was an officer after the one hand, as the Chief busy, on the other hand also because of career proud of, without their own write, to sweat, they did not write the. Over time, the article will bring out less, lacking in talent. (Excerpt from "Practical Writing" 1995 No. 8 "I hope," Jiang "was not exactly")
南朝的江淹，字文通，他年輕的時候，就成為一個鼎鼎有名的文學家，他的詩和文章在當時獲得極高的評價。 可是，當他年紀漸漸大了以後，他的文章不但沒有以前寫得好了，而且退步不少。他的詩寫出來平淡無奇；而且提筆吟握好久，依舊寫不出一個字來，偶爾靈感來了；詩寫出來了，但文句枯澀，內容 平淡得一無可取。於是就有人傳說，有一次江淹乘船停在禪靈寺的河邊，夢見一 個自稱叫張景陽的人；向他討還一匹綢緞，他就從懷中拘出幾尺綢緞還他。因此,他的文章以後便不精彩了。又有人傳說；有一次江淹在冶亭中睡午覺；夢見一個自稱郭璞 的人，走到他的身邊，向他索筆，對他說：「文通兄，我有一支筆在你那兒已經很久了，現在應該可以還給我了吧!」 江淹聽了，就順手從懷里取出一支五色筆來還他。據說從此以後，江淹就文思枯竭，再也寫不出什麼好的文章了。
其實並不是江淹的才華已經用完了，而是他當官以後，一方面由於政務繁忙，另一方面也由於仕途得意，無需自己動筆，勞心費力，就不再動筆了。久而久之，文章自然會逐漸遜色，缺乏才氣。（節選自《應用寫作》1995年第8期《但願「江郎」才不盡》）