句子：北京最近出现一种不到两平方米的“胶囊公寓”。

　　误译：Beijing has recently appeared a kind of "capsule apartment" which covers an area of fewer than two square metres.

　　正译：In Beijing there has appeared a kind of "capsule apartment" which covers an area of fewer than two square metres.

　　解释：这种字对字的译法容易出现语法错误。to appear 是不及物动词，后面不能跟宾语，即不能出现在“主 + 谓 + 宾”结构中。但是，to appear 可以出现在“主 + 谓 + 地点状语”结构中。这句话的主语太长，要用“there + appear”结构。

　　1. 这个“胶囊公寓”包括一间2.5平方米的私人房间和公共区域。This capsule apartment comprises a 2.5-square-metre private room and common area.

　　2. 最近，一位78岁老人在北京建造了8间“胶囊公寓”，每间面积不到两平方米。In Beijing, a 78-year-old man has recently had eight units of “capsule apartment” built, each of which covers an area of less than two square metres.

　　3. 这个“胶囊公寓”虽然很小，但是在里面可躺、可坐、可看电视和上网。Though the capsule apartment is very small, you can lie, sit, watch television and get on line inside it.

　　“公寓”，英语可以译为flat(英)，apartment(美)。例如：

　　4. 这对年轻白领夫妇盼望尽快搬进自己的公寓。The young white-collar couple expects that they can sooner move into their own apartment.

　　“胶囊”，英语可以译为capsule。例如：

　　5. 我着凉了，就吃了两粒感冒胶囊。As I had a cold, I took two cold capsules orally.

　　6. 这个病人不喝水就吞下了胶囊。The patient swallowed the capsule without drinking water.

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