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每到新的生肖年，大家满心欢喜用英文分享这份传统喜悦时，却常常掉进翻译的 “坑” 里。你是不是下意识觉得 “蛇年” 就是 “snake year”？这么直译，虽然字面看着直白，却妥妥偏离了正宗英文表达。

“蛇年” 英文怎么说？

在学习蛇年的表达之前，
我们先来复习下十二生肖的英文。

鼠 Rat  牛 Ox
虎 Tiger  兔 Rabbit
龙 Dragon  蛇 Snake
马 Horse  羊 Goat
猴 Monkey  鸡 Rooster
狗 Dog  猪 Pig

 

生肖年的正确说法：Year of the + 动物名：

所以 “蛇年” 用英语应该说 Year of the Snake 

例如：
2025 is the Year of the Snake.

2025 年是蛇年。

PS：生肖在英语当中对应的单词是 “Chinese zodiac sign” [ˈzəʊdiæk] ，还有一种说法是 “Chinese animal sign” 。

YAER OF THE SNAKE

蛇年的由来

 

关于即将到来的蛇年，它的由来有多种说法，其中有这样一个传说：

很久很久以前，蛇和青蛙是朋友。那时，蛇有四条腿，青蛙没有，只能靠肚子蠕动爬行。蛇很懒，总让青蛙给它抓虫吃。青蛙心地善良又勤劳，不仅帮蛇找食物，还帮农民捉害虫、保护庄稼，深受人们喜爱。

Once upon a time, the snake and the frog were friends. At that time, the snake had four legs, but the frog had none and could only wriggle on its belly. The snake was lazy and always asked the frog to catch insects for it. The frog was kind - hearted and hard - working. It not only helped the snake find food, but also helped farmers catch pests and protect crops, so it was well-liked by people.

蛇嫉妒人们更喜欢青蛙，就开始随意攻击人和牲畜。森林之神向玉皇大帝报告了蛇的恶行。玉皇大帝传唤蛇，蛇却不知悔改还很傲慢。玉皇大帝大怒，砍掉了蛇的四条腿，还把腿给了青蛙，奖励青蛙的勤劳善良。

The snake was jealous that people liked the frog more, so it began to attack people and livestock at will. The forest god reported the snake's misdeeds to the Jade Emperor. When the Jade Emperor summoned the snake, it was unrepentant and arrogant. The Jade Emperor was furious and cut off the snake's four legs and gave them to the frog to reward the frog's diligence and kindness.

失去腿后，蛇很后悔，决心改变。它不仅帮助人们捉害虫，还拜龙为师学习治水。在一次洪水中，蛇用身体挡住湍急的水流，拼尽全力救了许多人。后来人们发现蛇的身体有药用价值，能治很多病。玉皇大帝被蛇的转变感动，让蛇成为十二生肖之一，排在龙之后。

After losing its legs, the snake the snake felt regret and decided to change. It not only helped people catch pests, but also learned flood - control from the dragon. During a flood, the snake blocked the rapid water with its body and tried its best to save many people. Later, people found that the snake's body had medicinal value and could cure many diseases. The Jade Emperor was touched by the snake's transformation and let the snake become one of the twelve - zodiac signs, ranking after the dragon.

但蛇还是对青蛙怀恨在心，所以直到现在，蛇看见青蛙就咬。青蛙一看到蛇就赶紧躲开。

But the snake still holds a grudge against the frog, so until now, whenever the snake sees the frog, it will bite, and the frog will run away from the snake.

stitution

 

蛇在中国文化中的象征意义

在中国文化中，蛇有时被视为吉祥的象征。在一些传统的民间故事和传说中，蛇能够带来好运。

In Chinese culture, the snake is sometimes regarded as a symbol of auspiciousness. In some traditional folk stories and legends, snakes bring good luck.

在远古时期，蛇是一些部落的图腾。这些部落的人们尊崇蛇，把蛇当作自己的祖先或者保护神。图腾崇拜体现了人们对蛇的敬畏之心。

In ancient times, the snake was the totem of some tribes. The people of these tribes respected the snake and regarded it as their ancestor or protector. Totem worship reflects people's reverence of snakes.

蛇的形象常常和智慧联系在一起。它们行动敏捷、捕猎时狡猾多端，这种特性使人们将蛇与智慧相关联。在古代的一些文化表达中，蛇被用来隐喻有智慧的人。

The image of the snake is often associated with wisdom. They are quick - moving and cunning when hunting, and this characteristic makes people associate snakes with wisdom. In some ancient cultural expressions, the snake was used to metaphorically represent wise people.

蛇的繁殖能力比较强，所以在一些文化观念中，蛇也象征着生育和繁衍。它可以代表家族的延续和人丁兴旺。

Snakes have relatively strong reproductive capabilities. Therefore, in some cultural concepts, snakes also symbolize fertility and proliferation. It can represent the continuation of a family and a prosperous population.

蛇的生活习性使它带有一种神秘色彩。它们穿梭于草丛、洞穴之中，行动隐秘。在中国的神话和传说里，有许多关于蛇的神秘故事，比如白素贞（Lady White Snake）的传说。

The living habits of snakes give them a sense of mystery. They shuttle through grass and caves, and their movements are secretive. In Chinese myths and legends, there are many mysterious stories about snakes, such as the legend of Lady White Snake.

英文中和蛇有关的表达

snake in the grass

暗藏的背叛者，暗敌，伪君子，阴险小人

例句：

He's a snake in the grass. While pretending to be your friend he was slandering you behind your back.

他是个暗敌，表面上装作是你的朋友，背地里却在诽谤你。

Don't trust him, he looks honest but he's a snake in the grass.

别相信他，他看起来老实，其实极其阴险。

snake eyes

在赌场用语中，snake eyes”是指掷骰子时出现两个一点的情况，因为两个骰子都显示一点，看上去有点像蛇的眼睛。在双骰游戏规则里，这种点数组合通常代表玩家输。

例句：

He rolled snake eyes three times in a row and lost all his chips.

他连续三次掷出了蛇眼，输光了所有筹码。

snake oil

推销者的所谓“万应灵药”，没有作用的推销品

例句：

That new diet pill is just snake oil - it won't help you lose weight.

那种新的减肥药只是骗局——它不会帮助你减肥。

Don't believe everything he says, he's just selling snake oil.

不要相信他说的一切，他只是在兜售骗局。

snake through

蜿蜒穿过

例句：

The line continued to snake through the terminal throughout the morning.

整个早上，队伍蜿蜒不绝的穿过候机大厅。

The narrow path snaked through the dense forest.

狭窄的小路蜿蜒穿过茂密的森林。

 

好啦，今天的小知识点，你学会了嘛？