所谓正译,是指把句子按照与汉语相同的语序或表达方式译成英语。所谓反译则是指把句子按照与汉语相反的语序或表达方式译成英语。这两种方法通常用于汉译英,偶尔也用于英译汉。正译与反译常常具有同义的效果,但反译往往更符合英语的思维方式和表达习惯。因此比较地道。如:1) 在美国,人人都能买到枪。 In the United States, everyone can buy a gun. (正译) ;In the United States, guns are available to everyone. (反译); 2)你可以从因特网上获得这一信息。 You can obtain this information on the Internet. (正译) ;This information is accessible/available on the Internet. (反译);3) 他突然想到了一个新主意。 Suddenly he had a new idea. (正译);He suddenly thought out a new idea. (正译);A new idea suddenly occurred to/struck him. (反译); 4)他仍然没有弄懂我的意思。 He still could not understand me. (正译) ;Still he failed to understand me. (反译); 5)无论如何,她算不上一位思维敏捷的学生。 She can hardly be rated as a bright student. (正译) ;She is anything but a bright student. (反译); 6)Please withholdthe document for the time being. 请暂时扣下这份文件。(正译) ;请暂时不要发这份文件。(反译)