(一)A is n times as small (light,slow,…)as B.(12). a~"X.xT\R
A is n times smaller (lighter, slower,…) than B.(13). C^tC} n1D(
以上两句均应译为:A的大小(重量,速度,……)是B的1/n[或A比B小(轻,慢,……)(n-1)/n]. YTh4&wm
Eg. The hydrogen atom is near1y l6 times as light as the oxygen atom. &Hxr3[+$
氢原子的重量约为氧原子的1/16(即比氧原子约轻15/16)。 2ow\d b
Eg. This sort of membrane is twice thinner than ordinary paper. 4Pdk?vHK;
这种薄膜比普通纸张要薄一半(即是普通纸厚度的1/2)。 [40 YoVlfM
注:当相比的对象B很明显时,than/as B常被省去。 'b,D;'v
(二)decrease n times/n——fold (14). r&DK> H
decrease by n times(15). \&90$>h
decrease by a factor of n(16). [9^e
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以上三式均译为:减少到1/n[或:减少(n-1)/n]. ,&SJ?XAs
decrease常被reduce, shorten, go/slow down等词替代。 d`/{0 :F
Eg. Switching time of the new-type transistor is shortened 3 times. 2[hl^f^%,
新型晶体管的开关时间缩短了1/3(即缩短到2/3)。 (?[cDw/{J:
Eg. When the voltage is stepped up by ten times, the strength of the currentis stepped down by ten times. N~d]}J8}gx
电压升高9倍,电流强度便降低9/10(即90%)。 U?{j
Eg. The equipment reduced the error probability by a factor of 5. )Cl&"bX
该设备误差概率降低了4/5. 5ntP{p%>
(三)There is a n-fold decrease/reduction… . Y<XDR:]A,
应译为:减至1/n [或:减少(n一1)/n].(17). zOw]P6Gk
这个句型还有其它一些形式, /<Et
Eg. A rapid decrease by a factor of 7 was observed. 8ic_|hfY
发现迅速减少到1/7. K~>kruO";
Eg. The principal advantage of the products is a two-fold reduction inweight. =
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这些产品的主要优点是重量减轻了1/2. ;}qCIyuO]
从上列倍数增减句型及其译法中不难看出:与汉语不 同的是,英语在表述或比较倍数时,无论使用什么句 型(除了不含倍数词的again句型外)都包括基础倍. O.dNhd$
数在内,因此都不是净增或净减n倍,而是净增或 净减n-1倍。所以句型⑤、③表示的倍数增量=句型④; 句型(13)表示的倍数比差=句型12,且decrease(by). E=d[pI,e
3 times应译为"减少2/3",而不是"减少3/4". ^l,Jbt