風雲變色 情勢逆轉 風水輪流轉 十年河東,十年河西
文/Dr.J.J.
中國人特別相信風水能改變命運,這裡擺一盆(Bonzai)盆栽,那裡養兩條魚的,都因為相信只要轉變一下環境,命運就能跟著改變。畢竟沒有人應該永遠那麼「背」,所以在日常生活中,碰到朋友沮喪或挫折時,我們總會安慰地說「風水輪流轉」。
這在英文裡,其實也有類似的概念 “Turn”(轉)。只是比起中國人要靠改變風水來得簡單多了,西方人覺得只要 “Table”(桌子)一轉,情勢自然就完全不同了!所以,我們常說 “Turn the table” 就含有中文所謂「風水輪流轉」的意思了。
Yvonne:Stella, I’m really so happy for you about the announcement from HR department this morning.
Yvonne:Stella,看了今早人資部的公告,我真替你高興。.
Stella:Yes, I just feel that all my hard work and persistence paid off at the end. The sales head finally admitted that his decision was all wrong and he should have taken my advice much earlier.
Stella:可不是,我覺得我的努力和堅持終於有了代價。銷售部門的主管終於承認他的決定完全錯了,應該早點聽我的建議就好了。
Yvonne:That’s right. Remember how he criticized you in last meeting? Well, I can only say “the table has turned” and it’s you to criticize him now.
Yvonne:沒錯,還記得上次開會時後他是怎麼批評你的嗎? 我只能說,真是風水輪流轉,現在可是輪到你來好好批評他了呢。
當然英文裡也有其它類似的說法,譬如 “Every dog has its day!”(即使小狗狗也有走狗運的一天),不過畢竟把人比喻成小狗,總是有貶抑之意,所以下次你要安慰人時,最好還是說 “The table has turned!”
不過,如果你是另一邊陣營的人,那你就可以說Stella是“Every dog has its day!”了!
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