Easy Things and Difficult Things


It's a piece of cake. 易如反掌。/小菜一碟。

        A: What do you think of the English homework today?
        B: It's a piece of cake to me.
        A: You're bagging again.
        B: No, I'm not. Actually, I've finished it already.

        A: 你觉得今天的英语作业怎么样？
        B: 多我来说是小菜一碟。
        A: 你又说大话了。
        B: 我可没有。实际上我已经做完了。

        A: Did you watch the match between Shenhua and Shide last Thursday?
        B: Yeah, a disappointing 0 to 4.
        A: It seems that beating Shenhua was a piece of cake to Shide. We simply didn't have any chance to shoot.
        B: I don't know what's wrong with Shenhua, the team were not in mood on the court.
        A: Perhaps they need failure to restore a cool mind.

        A: 你看了上星期申花和实德的比赛了吗？
        B: 看了，0比4，真实让人失望。
        A: 好象实德打申花不费吹灰之力似的。我们简直一点射门的机会都没有。
        B: 真不知道申花怎么了，队员在场上都不在状态。
        A: 也许他们是需要失败来找回一个清醒的头脑。


She took to it as a duck takes to water. 她学得很轻松容易。

        A: Your daughter learned to ride a bike so quickly.
        B: Yes. She took to it as a duck takes to water.
        A: She looks like a pro already.
        B: Yeah. She really has gotten the hang of it.

        A: 你女儿学骑车可真快。
        B: 是啊，她学起来很轻松。
        A: 她现在看来已经像个行家了。
        B: 是啊，她已经掌握窍门了。


It's as easy as ABC. 非常容易。

        A: Bob, can we finish the task in a week?
        B: It's as easy as ABC. I'm sure we can finish it in two days.
        A: Don't be so sure.
        B: You'll see when I make it.

        A: 鲍伯，我们能在一个星期里把任务完成吗？
        B: 这任务太容易了，我们肯定能在两天里干完。
        A: 别那么肯定了。
        B: 做成之后你就知道了。


It's easier said than done. 说起来容易做起来难。

        A: I think reading extensively is the key to mastery of English.
        B: I'm afraid I have a different opinion. Recitation to me is the best way.
        A: Why?
        B: When you have the language in your mind, it won't be difficult for you to listen, speak, read, write and translate.
        A: But it's easier said than done.

        A: 我认为广泛阅读是学习英语的关键。
        B: 恐怕我和你有不同的看法。对我来说，背诵是最好的方法。
        A: 为什么呢？
        B: 你头脑中有了语言，听、说、读、写、译都不成问题了。
        A: 可是那说起来容易做起来难啊。


Nothing is difficult for one who sets his mind to it. 天下无难事，只怕有心人。

        A: Do you think I can learn to swim?
        B: Of course. Nothing is difficult for one who sets his mind to it.
        A: Will you be my teacher?
        B: I'd be glad to. But you'll have to get prepared for the repeated exercise.

        A: 你说我能学会游泳吗？
        B: 当然啦，天下无难事，只怕有心人嘛。
        A: 你教我行吗？
        B: 我很乐意啊。但是你要准备好做不断的练习。


It's not as easy as a pie. 这没那么容易了。

        A: Mom, is it easy to earn these days?
        B: It all depends, honey. For some, money comes easily, but for others it's not as easy as a pie.
        A: Why is there such a difference?
        B: You'll understand when you grow up. For now, don't care too much about the money things.
        A: Well…

        A: 妈妈，现在挣钱容易吗？
        B: 这得看情况了，宝贝儿。有的人的钱来得很容易，而有些就不那么容易了。
        A: 为什么有这么大的差别？
        B: 你长大了就会明白的。现在，你可别想太多钱的事情。
        A: 这 …