(一)A is n times as small (light,slow,…)as B.(12). $\@ V4
A is n times smaller (lighter, slower,…) than B.(13). NUnc"@
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]. 56
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Eg. The hydrogen atom is near1y l6 times as light as the oxygen atom. n]fbV/ x
氢原子的重量约为氧原子的1/16(即比氧原子约轻15/16)。 DUliU8B}\
Eg. This sort of membrane is twice thinner than ordinary paper. ~S_IU">E
这种薄膜比普通纸张要薄一半(即是普通纸厚度的1/2)。 L(n~@gq
注:当相比的对象B很明显时,than/as B常被省去。 pD6g+Taj
(二)decrease n times/n——fold (14). q.b4m 'J
decrease by n times(15). g!Yh=kA'N
decrease by a factor of n(16).
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以上三式均译为:减少到1/n[或:减少(n-1)/n]. ee0>B86tE
decrease常被reduce, shorten, go/slow down等词替代。
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Eg. Switching time of the new-type transistor is shortened 3 times. H1j6.i}q
新型晶体管的开关时间缩短了1/3(即缩短到2/3)。 9}0Jc(B/x
Eg. When the voltage is stepped up by ten times, the strength of the currentis stepped down by ten times. mS&\m#s<
电压升高9倍,电流强度便降低9/10(即90%)。 FRQ("6(
Eg. The equipment reduced the error probability by a factor of 5. {ro!OuA
该设备误差概率降低了4/5. *`pBQZn05O
(三)There is a n-fold decrease/reduction… . +
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应译为:减至1/n [或:减少(n一1)/n].(17). >upUY(3&
这个句型还有其它一些形式, $5CY<,f
Eg. A rapid decrease by a factor of 7 was observed. m:Cx~
发现迅速减少到1/7. 9.#R?YP$
Eg. The principal advantage of the products is a two-fold reduction inweight. d4h(F,K7V
这些产品的主要优点是重量减轻了1/2. )bU")
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. KP-z
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). :9q^
3 times应译为"减少2/3",而不是"减少3/4". 35kbE'