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。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自己。
She can hardly be rated as a bright student. (正译)
She is anything but a bright student. (反译)
(6) Please withhold the 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)
