曲线回家

句子：春运期间，这位农民工买不到火车票，就曲线回家。

误译：As the rural migrant worker failed to get a train ticket during the Spring Festival travel rush, he went back home in a curve.

正译：As the rural migrant worker failed to get a train ticket during the Spring Festival travel rush, he went back home in a round-about way.

解释：curve 的意思是a line that bends gradually，指与几何学相关的“曲线”。而“曲线回家”，却是“绕道回家”， 应译为 to go back home in a round-about way。

“曲线”的第一个意思是“在平面或空间上的点按一定条件运动的轨迹 ”。英语可以译为 curve。例如：1. 只有当一个外力起作用时，物体才能做曲线运动。An object can move in a curve only when a force acts.

“曲线”的第二个意思是“在平面上表示的物理、化学、统计学过程等随参数变化的线”。英语可以译为 curve 。例如：2. 陡峭的收益率曲线为银行创造了盈利机会。A steep yield curve creates profitable opportunities for banks.“曲线”的第三个意思是“波形线条”。英语可以译为 wave line。例如：3. 这个学生在所有重点词语下面都画上了曲线。The student underlined all the key words and expressions with wave lines. “曲线”的第四个意思指“人体的线条”。英语可以译为 curve 。例如：4. 她照试衣镜，欣赏自己腰部的优美曲线。 She looked into the dressing mirror and admired the delicate curve of her own waist.

“曲线”的第五个意思是“绕道”、“迂回”。英语可以译为 in a round-about/circuitous way。例如：5. 由于春节前一票难求，“曲线回家”是一个不错的选择。As people had difficulties in buying train tickets before the Spring Festival, going back home in a circuitous way might well be a worthy choice.▲

（本栏目供稿：王逢鑫教授）