“物极必反”的英文翻译是Things will develop in the opposite direction when they become extreme.
翻译四字成语的技巧
下面就从并列关系、语意重复、目的关系、途径方式、偏正词组、动宾关系、条件关系、省略意象这几种类型为你一一举例：
1.并列关系
名山大川 famous mountains and great rivers
名胜古迹 scenic spots and historical sites
湖光山色 landscape of lakes and hills
青山绿水 green hills and clear waters
2.语意重复
层峦叠嶂 peaks rising one after another
优胜劣汰 survival of the fittest
延年益寿 prolong one's life
灵丹妙药 panacea/miraculous cure
长治久安 a long period of stability
求真务实 pragmatic
3.目的关系
集资办学 raise money to set up new schools
结党营私 form cliques for private gain
退耕还林 return cultivated land to forest or pastures
扭亏为盈 turn a loss-making enterprise into a profitable one
4.途径方式
寓教于乐 teach through lively activities
因材施教 teach students according to their aptitude
按劳分配 distribution according to performance
以商养文 support/sponsor cultural activities with the profits from doing business
5.偏正词组
廉洁奉公 honestly perform one's official duties
环境绿化 environmental greening
超前消费 premature consumption; over-consume; excessive consumption
以强凌弱 the strong domineering over the weak
以人为本 people foremost; people-oriented
6.动宾关系
优势互补 complement each other's advantages
自主经营，自负盈亏 make one's own management decisions, take full responsibility for one's own profits and losses
7.条件关系
不进则退 no progress simply means regression
8.省略意象
世外桃源 a haven of peace
源远流长 have a long history
呕心沥血 spare no efforts
画龙点睛 bring out the crucial point
花天酒地 go on the loose
汗马功劳 exploits
solomuse2012
