Abstract: Compared with phrases or sentences, English idioms have specific characteristics. It is of great practical value to grasp the characteristics of English idioms when translating them. If one can’t skillfully grasp English idioms, he won’t master the authentic English, especially the pure spoken English. This paper illustrates that the characteristics of English idioms from three aspects: definition, feature, classification and analyzes the basic methods of translation of English idioms.

Key words: English idioms; characteristics; translation

摘要：英语习语与一般词组，短语或句子相比，具有其独有的特点。充分认识把握习语的特点对翻译具有重要的实用价值。不娴熟地掌握英语习语，也就不可能掌握地道的英语，尤其不可能掌握纯正的英语口语。本文分别从英语习语的定义，特征，分类三方面阐述英语习语的特点，分析英语习语的翻译，探讨其汉译的基本方法，从而有助于学生更好的学习英语。

关键词：英语习语；特点；汉译

　　English and Chinese are both rich in idioms. Idioms are an important part of language and have rich cultural connotations. Large in quantity, long in history and rich in cultural information, both English and Chinese Idioms are deeply rooted in life (Dong, 2002). Idioms represent the social phenomenon and natural rules accurately with lively and plain words. As far as their underlying cultural information is concerned, some idioms are completely or partial equivalent both in Chinese and in English while some others have nothing in common at all. 

　　Idioms are one of the most difficult aspects of the English language almost to all learners. Therefore, a systematic study of English idioms is of much value to English users. It is of great value and necessity to do research on idiom translation.

　　English idioms scholars both at home and abroad have done a lot of work and achieved remarkable success. Makkai (1972) focuses on grammatically regular idioms. He identifies two major types of English idioms: those of encoding and decoding. He further classifies of decoding as lexemic and sememic, giving more attention to lexemic. According to Fernando (1996), idioms basically have three different functions i.e. ideational, interpersonal and relation. Chinese scholars have mainly done a lot of work on translating or compiling English idioms. Such as English Idioms Manual（Guo，1986），English Proverbs（Peng，1981），The United States New English Idioms（Zhuai & Zhu & Chen，2001）and so forth. All these books are of great help and value to Chinese learners of English idioms.