压岁钱(lucky money )是中国春节习俗中不可缺少的一项元素,是每个孩子过年时都热切期盼的礼物。除夕夜,家中的长辈会给予未成年的孩子一定数额的钱,称之为“压岁钱”,据说压岁钱可以使孩子平平安安地度过新的一年。在中国, 给压岁钱的风俗源远流长,流传至今。它是长辈送给孩子的护身符(amulet), 代表着长辈对孩子的美好祝福,可以保佑孩子在新的一年里健康吉利。
参考翻译:
Lucky MoneyAs an indispensable element of the Spring Festivalcustoms in China, lucky money is a gift that everykid eagerly looks forward to during the SpringFestival. On Chinese New Year's Eve, the underagekids can receive a certain sum of cash from the elders in their family, which is called “luckymoney”. It is believed that lucky money can bless the kids to have a safe and peaceful newyear. The custom of giving lucky money has a long history and spreads up to now in China. It isan amulet the elders give their kids, representing the elders'fine wishes for the kids andblessing them with health and good fortune in the New Year.
1.除夕夜:即中国农历新年“春节”的前夜,可译为ChineseNew Year's Eve,或者the Eve of the Spring Festival。
2.未成年的:可译为underage或者immature。
3.一定数额的钱:翻译为a certain sum of cash。“压岁钱”译为lucky money 属于固定搭配,而这里提到的具体的“钱”译为cash则更贴切一些,因为压岁钱一般都是采用现金的形式。
4.源远流长,流传至今:翻译为have a long history and spread up to now, 此类常见短语的译法最好记下来,在考试中遇到,可直接套用。
5.吉利:即“好的运气”,所以可翻译为good fortune。
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