(一)A is n times as small (light,slow,…)as B.(12). Mt4*`CxtH;
A is n times smaller (lighter, slower,…) than B.(13). "m%EFWUOl
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]. x1h&`QUP
Eg. The hydrogen atom is near1y l6 times as light as the oxygen atom. G0A\"2U
氢原子的重量约为氧原子的1/16(即比氧原子约轻15/16)。 Jcy+(7lE)
Eg. This sort of membrane is twice thinner than ordinary paper. /|8rVYSs
这种薄膜比普通纸张要薄一半(即是普通纸厚度的1/2)。 J4x|Af p
注:当相比的对象B很明显时,than/as B常被省去。 '#C5m#v
(二)decrease n times/n——fold (14). ;X;(7
decrease by n times(15). F`La_]f?b\
decrease by a factor of n(16). JEs@ky?{z
以上三式均译为:减少到1/n[或:减少(n-1)/n]. b<%c ]z
decrease常被reduce, shorten, go/slow down等词替代。 IhN^*P:Fo
Eg. Switching time of the new-type transistor is shortened 3 times. S,EL=3},=
新型晶体管的开关时间缩短了1/3(即缩短到2/3)。 FTr'I82m(
Eg. When the voltage is stepped up by ten times, the strength of the currentis stepped down by ten times. .D*~UI
电压升高9倍,电流强度便降低9/10(即90%)。 JZK93R
Eg. The equipment reduced the error probability by a factor of 5. CpB,L
该设备误差概率降低了4/5. :dQRrmM
(三)There is a n-fold decrease/reduction… . c39j|/!;Y
应译为:减至1/n [或:减少(n一1)/n].(17). *\@RBJGF
这个句型还有其它一些形式, CG95ScrX
Eg. A rapid decrease by a factor of 7 was observed. K$:+]fJK
发现迅速减少到1/7. Sl-9im1
Eg. The principal advantage of the products is a two-fold reduction inweight. t3!OqM
这些产品的主要优点是重量减轻了1/2. S dN&%(ZE
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. {kBsiSvsA;
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). NMQG[py!f
3 times应译为"减少2/3",而不是"减少3/4". jABFdNjri