由于文化上的差异，英译汉时有时直译原文就会使译入语读者感到费解，甚至误解
这时，就有必要借用汉语中意义相同或相近、且具有自己鲜明文化色彩的表达法对原文加以归化
归化翻译法常用于处理某些英语成语、典故、形象词语等一类文化色彩较浓的表达方式
恰倒好处地归化可以使译文地道简洁、生动活泼，便于译入语读者理解和接受
例如： as timid as a hare 胆小如鼠 （在西方文化中，兔子是胆小的象征，而在我国，兔子却象征着机警敏捷
人们常说："静若处子，动若脱兔
"鼠在我国才是胆小的象征，所以翻译时直接加以归化
） at a stone's throw 一箭之遥 wet like a drown rat 湿如落汤鸡 as stupid as a goose 蠢得像猪 as stubborn as a mule 犟得像牛 seek a hare in a hen's nest 缘木求鱼 as dumb as an oyster 守口如瓶 lead a dog's life 过着牛马一样的生活 cry up wine and sell vinegar 挂羊头，卖狗肉 put back the clock 开倒车 talk horse 吹牛 kill the goose that lays the golden eggs 杀鸡取卵 drink like a fish 牛饮 （1） Once the wife of a parson, always the wife of a parson
嫁鸡随鸡，嫁狗随狗
（2）One boy is a boy, two boys half a boy, three boys no boy
一个和尚挑水吃，两个和尚抬水吃，三个和尚没水吃
（3） I was limp as a dish rag
My back
