“物極必反”的英文翻譯是Things will develop in the opposite direction when they become extreme.
翻譯四字成語的技巧
下面就從並列關系、語意重復、目的關系、途徑方式、偏正詞組、動賓關系、條件關系、省略意象這幾種類型為妳壹壹舉例：
1.並列關系
名山大川 famous mountains and great rivers
名勝古跡 scenic spots and historical sites
湖光山色 landscape of lakes and hills
青山綠水 green hills and clear waters
2.語意重復
層巒疊嶂 peaks rising one after another
優勝劣汰 survival of the fittest
延年益壽 prolong one's life
靈丹妙藥 panacea/miraculous cure
長治久安 a long period of stability
求真務實 pragmatic
3.目的關系
集資辦學 raise money to set up new schools
結黨營私 form cliques for private gain
退耕還林 return cultivated land to forest or pastures
扭虧為盈 turn a loss-making enterprise into a profitable one
4.途徑方式
寓教於樂 teach through lively activities
因材施教 teach students according to their aptitude
按勞分配 distribution according to performance
以商養文 support/sponsor cultural activities with the profits from doing business
5.偏正詞組
廉潔奉公 honestly perform one's official duties
環境綠化 environmental greening
超前消費 premature consumption; over-consume; excessive consumption
以強淩弱 the strong domineering over the weak
以人為本 people foremost; people-oriented
6.動賓關系
優勢互補 complement each other's advantages
自主經營，自負盈虧 make one's own management decisions, take full responsibility for one's own profits and losses
7.條件關系
不進則退 no progress simply means regression
8.省略意象
世外桃源 a haven of peace
源遠流長 have a long history
嘔心瀝血 spare no efforts
畫龍點睛 bring out the crucial point
花天酒地 go on the loose
汗馬功勞 exploits