英文弟子规(三词韵译)讲义

《英文弟子规（三词韵译）》（节选）

覃 军 译

（湖北民族学院 外国语学院）

【导言】

《弟子规》原名《训蒙文》，为清朝康熙年间秀才李毓秀所作,其内容采用《论语》“学而篇”第六条“弟子，入则孝，出则悌，谨而信，泛爱众，而亲仁，行有余力，则以学文”的文义，列述弟子在家、外出、接物、待人与学习上应该恪守的守则规范。其中“弟子”的理解可以与时俱进。在家指孩子；在学校指学生；在公司指员工；在单位指下级；在社会，指公民。《弟子规》是集中国传统家训、家规、家教之大成，被誉为人生第一规，是做人之根本。

As one of the most popular primers in China, Guidelines for Children (Dizi Gui ) was written by Li Yuxiu in the Qing Dynasty during the reign of the Kangxi Emperor (1661-1722). It is based on the ancient teaching of the Chinese philosopher Confucius that emphasizes the basic requisites for being a good person and guidelines for living in harmony with people. The Chinese version was written in three-character verses for the sake of smooth reading. To keep the original style, the English translation is also written in three-word verses without the loss of content, in order to help the English readers not only understand the text but also capture the essence of Chinese civilization that belongs both to China and to the whole world.

【节选】

弟d ì子z ǐ规gu ī

圣sh èng 人r én 训x ùn

首sh ǒu 孝xi ào 悌t ì

次c ì谨j ǐn 信x ìn

Children should abide

By Conf ucius’ guide :

Respect elders ’n parent;

Be trustworthy 'n prudent.

【释义】

《弟子规》这本书是孔子对学生的生活规范。首先要孝顺父母，尊敬兄长，其次要做到言语行为小心谨慎而讲信用。

This book consists of the guidelines handed down by ancient sages on being a good student and child. First of all, be filial to your own parents and respectful to all of your elders; then be trustworthy and cautious.

泛f àn 爱ài 众zh òng

而ér 亲q īn 仁r én

有y ǒu 余y ú力l ì

则z é学xu é文w én

Love for humanity;

Learn from morality.

Accomplish these then,

You study 'n learn.

【释义】

平等博爱，广泛地爱众人，并亲近有仁德的人，向他们学习。如果还有多余的时间与精力，就应该去读书做学问。

Love all people equally and to be close to and learn from people of virtue and compassion. Whatever time you have left should be devoted to learning.

父f ù母m ǔ呼h ū

应y īng 勿w ù缓hu ǎn

父f ù母m ǔ命m ìng

行x íng 勿w ù懒l ǎn

When parents order,

Quick to answer.

When parents say,

Do without delay.

【释义】

父母呼唤你时，应该及时应答；父母交代去做的事情，应该立刻动身去做，不要推辞偷懒。

When your parent is calling you or asking you to do something, do not be slow to respond them, nor be lazy or sulky to do the job.

父f ù母m ǔ教ji ào

须x ū敬j ìng 听t īng

父f ù母m ǔ责z é

须x ū顺sh ùn 承ch éng

Be all ears

To instructions 'o Dears.

When reproached by,

Accept and comply.

【释义】

对于父母的教诲，应当恭敬聆听；面对父母的批评，应当态度端正，顺从接受。 When your parents instruct you, you should listen respectfully. When your parents reproach you, you should obey and accept with faithful compliance.

冬d ōng 则z é温w ēn

夏xi à则z é凊j ìng

晨ch én 则z é省x ǐng

昏h ūn 则z é定d ìng

Make beddings better

According to th’ weather.

Give them greeting

At morning ’n evening.

【释义】

冬天要让父母的被窝暖和，夏天要让父母的被窝凉爽。每天早晨要跟父母请安，夜晚要服侍父母就寝。

M ake sure that your parents’ beddings are warm in the winter, and cool in the summer. In the morning, you should greet them. At night, you should make sure your parents rest well.

出ch ū必b ì告g ào

反f ǎn 必b ì面mi àn

居j ū有y ǒu 常ch áng

业y è无w ú变bi àn

When come ’n go ,

Let parents know,

Where you live,

What you achieve.

【释义】

出门前，应该告诉父母自己的去向，免得父母担忧；回到家，应该先当面见一下父母，报个平安。居住的地方要固定，生活要有规律，做事要有恒心，不要随意更换工作。

Tell your parents if you plan to go out; report to them when you get back. Settle down in one certain place with a routine life; don’t switch from one job to another but persist in whatever you do.

事sh ì虽su ī小xi ǎo

勿w ù擅sh àn 为w éi

苟g ǒu 擅sh àn 为w éi

子z ǐ道d ào 亏ku ī

No things evil

Are too trivial.

Keep these away,

Dutiful you’ll stay.

【释义】

事情虽小，也不要擅自作主和行动；擅自行动造成错误，让父母担忧，有失做子女的本分。

A matter might be trivial, but if it is wrong to do, you must not do it. If you act just as you please, your parents would not want to see you doing things that are irrational or

illegal.

物w ù虽su ī小xi ǎo

勿w ù私s ī藏c áng

苟g ǒu 私s ī藏c áng

亲q īn 心x īn 伤sh āng

Things even small.

Get 'em by law.

Stealing is bad,

Makes parents sad.

【释义】

东西虽小，不要私自把它们藏起来。如果私藏东西，父母知道后，一定会感到很伤心的。

Although a thing may be small, do not save it just for yourself. For if you hide things for yourself, you will hurt your parents’ hearts.

亲q īn 所su ǒ好h ào

力l ì为w éi 具j ù

亲q īn 所su ǒ恶w ù

谨j ǐn 为w éi 去q ù

Try hard t’ offer

What parents favor.

Dispose with care

Their offensive affair.

【释义】

父母喜欢的东西，应该尽力去准备齐全；父母厌恶的东西，应该小心谨慎地处理掉。

If whatever pleases your parents is reasonable, you should try your best to get it for them. If something displeases your parents within reason, you should cautiously keep it away from them.

身sh ēn 有y ǒu 伤sh āng

贻y í亲q īn 忧y ōu

德d é有y ǒu 伤sh āng

贻y í亲q īn 羞xi ū

Your hurt body

Makes parents worry;

Your immoral claim

Brings them shame.

【释义】

自己的身体受到伤害，必然会引起父母忧虑；如果是名声品德上有问题，必然会令父母蒙羞受辱。

If you carelessly injure your body, your parents will worry about you. While if your virtues are compromised, you bring shame and disgrace to them.

亲q īn 爱ài 我w ǒ

孝xi ào 何h é难n án

亲q īn 憎z ēng 我w ǒ

孝xi ào 方f āng 贤xi án

If parents’re kind,

Piety in mind;

Test comes when

They’re hat eful men.

【释义】

如果父母对你很慈爱，孝敬父母不是什么难事；但如果父母很憎恨你，你还能对父母心存孝意，这才是难能可贵的。

When your parents are loving and kind, of course it’s not difficult to be filial to your parents. But the true test of being a filial son comes when your parents are hateful and cruel.

亲q īn 有y ǒu 过gu ò

谏ji àn 使sh ǐ更g ēng

怡y í吾w ú色s è

柔r óu 吾w ú声sh ēng

When parents’re astray,

Mend their way,

With face pleasing,

And voice caring.

【释义】

如果父母有过错，应该努力劝说父母改正，劝导时应该和颜悦色、态度诚恳，说话的语气要轻柔。

If you recognize faults in your parents, you should urge them to change for the better and speak with a kind facial expression and a warm gentle voice.

亲q īn 有y ǒu 疾j í

药y ào 先xi ān 尝ch áng

昼zh òu 夜y è侍sh ì

不b ù离l í床chu áng

Parents are ill,

Get them pill;

Stay bedside there;

Take them care.

【释义】

父母生病时，要替父母先尝药的冷热；应该尽力昼夜服侍，不离开床前。

When your parents are ill, you should taste the medicine first before giving it to them. You should take care of them day and night and do not leave them alone. 丧s āng 三s ān 年ni án

常ch áng 悲b ēi

咽y è 居j ū处ch ù变bi àn

酒ji ǔ肉r òu 绝ju é Parent’s pass ed away,

Mournful you stay;

Bread and water

Make your dinner.

【释义】

父母去世之后，要守孝三年，经常追思、感怀父母的养育之恩；改变生活起居，戒酒戒肉。

For three years after your parents have passed away, you should remember them

with gratitude in sadness for not being able to repay them for their kindness. During this period you should live simply and not adorn your home. And also avoid merry-making and indulgence in food and alcoholic drinks.

丧s āng 尽j ìn 礼l ǐ

祭j ì尽j ìn 诚ch éng

事sh ì死s ǐ者zh ě

如r ú事sh ì生sh ēng

Funeral, be ritual,

Memorial, be real.

To parents departed,

Kindness deep hearted.

【释义】

办理父母的丧事要合乎礼节，祭奠父母要诚心诚意；对待去世的父母，要像生前一样恭敬。

O bserve proper etiquette in arranging your parents’ funerals, and remember them with a sincere heart on the anniversaries of their death. You should honor them as if they were still alive.

兄xi ōng 道d ào 友y ǒu

弟d ì道d ào 恭g ōng

兄xi ōng 弟d ì睦m ù

孝xi ào 在z ài 中zh ōng

Brother or sister,

Hold them dear.

Brothers in harmony,

A sign ’o piety.

【释义】

兄长对弟妹要友善，弟妹对兄长要恭敬；兄弟姊妹能和睦相处，孝道就体现在其中了。

The older siblings should love and care for the younger ones, and the younger ones should love and respect the older ones. Keeping harmonious relationships with your

siblings is a sign of respecting your parents.

或hu ò饮y ǐn 食sh í

或hu ò坐zu ò走z ǒu

长zh ǎng 者zh ě先xi ān

幼y òu 者zh ě后h òu

Drinking or eating,

Walking or sitting,

First the elder,

Then the younger.

【释义】

无论是饮食用餐，还是坐立行走，都应让年长者优先，年幼者居后。

When people are eating or drinking, sitting down or taking a walk, let the elders do first. The younger ones should follow behind.

称ch ēng 尊z ūn 长zh ǎng

勿w ù呼h ū名m íng

对du ì尊z ūn 长zh ǎng

勿w ù见xi àn 能n éng Addressing the elder,

Use titles proper.

With ’em in talk,

Don ’t play th’ peacock.

【释义】

称呼尊者长辈，不应该直呼其名；在尊者长辈面前，应该谦虚有礼，不应该故意炫耀自己的才能。

In speaking to the elders, use the proper titles of respect instead of calling him by his name. Do not show off or try to look smart before them.

尊z ūn 长zh ǎng 前qi án

声sh ēng 要y ào

低d ī 低d ī不b ù闻w én

却qu è非f ēi 宜y í

Before elder men,

Speak softly then.

Soft to th’ ear ,

Loud enough t’ hear.

【释义】

与尊长说话，或者在尊长面前与别人说话，应该低声细气；但声音太低，交头接耳，窃窃私语，尊长听不清楚，也不合适。

Speak softly and in a low voice when you are in talk with elders or in front of elders. But it is not appropriate, if your voice is too low to be heard.

进j ìn 必b ì趋q ū

退tu ì必b ì迟ch í

问w èn 起q ǐ对du ì

视sh ì勿w ù移y í

Hurry t ’ say Hi;

Patient t ’ say Bye.

T ’ answer, you rise,

With attentive eyes.

【释义】

面见长辈时，应快步向前，告退时，要缓慢而行才合礼节；长辈问话时，应该起身作答，而且应该注视聆听，不应东张西望。

Walk quickly towards an elder when you are greeting him, and take leave slowly after the greeting. When answering his questions, you should stand up and look at him with attention instead of looking around.

事sh ì诸zh ū父f ù

如r ú事sh ì父f ù

事sh ì诸zh ū兄xi ōng

如r ú事sh ì兄xi ōng

Uncles to you

Are parents too.

Cousins you consider

As brother ’n sister.

【释义】

侍奉叔伯，应如同侍奉自己的父亲一般恭敬；对待同族兄辈，应如同对待自己的亲兄弟一样友爱。

Regard your uncles as if they were your own parents and your cousins as if they were your own siblings.

朝zh āo 起q ǐ早z ǎo

夜y è眠mi án 迟ch í

老l ǎo 易y ì至zh ì

惜x ī此c ǐ时sh í

Early to rise,

For time flies.

Late you stay,

Seize the day.

【释义】

早上应该早起，晚上不应该过早入睡；因为人生易老，所以应该珍惜时光。 Get up early in the morning and go to bed at a reasonable time, for time is passing by and cannot be turned back. So you should treasure the present moment, seize the day and seize the hour.

晨ch én 必b ì盥gu àn

兼ji ān 漱sh ù口k ǒu

便bi àn 溺ni ào 回hu í

辄zh é净j ìng 手sh ǒu

After morning brush,

Remember to flush.

After using th’ l oo,

Wash hands too.

【释义】

早晨起床，务必洗脸梳妆、刷牙漱口；大小便回来，应该马上洗手。

Wash your face and brush your teeth when you get up in the morning. And remember to wash your hands after using the toilet.

冠gu ān 必b ì正zh èng

纽ni ǔ必b ì结ji é

袜w à与y ǔ履l ǚ

俱j ù紧j ǐn 切qi ē

Hat in place;

Dress in grace.

Socks and shoes

Neat, not loose.

【释义】

帽子要戴正，衣服要扣好；袜子穿平整，鞋带应系紧，穿戴仪容要整洁。

Make sure your hat is properly put on, clothing correctly buttoned, socks neatly worn and shoelaces well fastened.

置zh ì冠gu ān 服f ú

有y ǒu 定d ìng 位w èi

勿w ù乱lu àn 顿d ùn

致zh ì污w ū秽hu ì

Keep your dress

Not in mess.

Keep them tidy;

Don’t get dirty.

【释义】

脱下来的衣服，应放置到固定的位置；衣物不要随便乱扔，以免弄脏弄乱。 Put away your clothes in their proper places. Do not leave them lying around, or they’re sure to get wrinkled and dirty.

衣y ī贵gu ì洁ji é

不b ù贵gu ì华hu á

上sh àng 循x ún 分f èn

下xi à称ch èn 家ji ā

Neatness makes nice

Not th’ clothing price.

Suitable for position,

And family tradition.

【释义】

服装穿着重在干净整洁，不在高贵华丽；着装要一则符合自己的身份，一则符合自己的家境。

It is more important that your clothes are clean and neat, rather than stylish or expensive. You should wear only what is suitable for your social status and financial position.

对du ì饮y ǐn 食sh í

勿w ù拣ji ǎn 择z é

食sh í适sh ì可k ě

勿w ù过gu ò则z é

At your dinner,

Don’t be chooser.

Drink or food,

Enough is good.

【释义】

对待饮食，不要挑挑拣拣；吃饭要适当有节，不要过量无限。

At dinner, don ’t pick and choose your food. Don ’t over eat.

步b ù从c óng 容r óng

立l ì端du ān 正zh èng

揖y ī深sh ēn 圆yu án

拜b ài 恭g ōng 敬j ìng

Walk with ease;

Stand with grace.

Bows be deep,

Respect you keep.

【释义】

走路时，步伐要从容大方；站立时，姿态要端正；作揖行礼时，身体要弯得深；