汉语的四字词组，广义而论，既包括结构严密，不能随意拆开的四字成语，如"雪中送炭"，也包括任意组合而成的四字词组，如"悲喜人生"。这种以"四字格"为基本形式的四字词组，言简意赅，形象生动，音节优美，韵律协调，是汉语的一大特点。英译汉时，若使用恰当，则既能保存原作的“丰姿”，又能使译文生色。

现代翻译学认为，译文与原文在意义上应动态对应，不要形式对等。因此，从原文的深层意义出发，英语句中的单词、短语、习语，甚至整句，都可译成相应的汉语四字词组。例如：

The girls arrayed themselves in their finest clothes．这些姑娘打扮得花枝招展。

The truth comes out．真相大白。

The two theories vary, but they are compassable. 这两种理论虽然各有千秋，但它们是并行不悖的。

Misery¹ loves company. 同病相怜。

I congratulate myself on my narrow escape.我庆幸自己死里逃生。

All things conspired² to make him happy.事事巧合使他心满意足。

She exulted³ to find that she had succeeded. 她为自己大功告成而狂喜。

He contrived⁴ to make a mess of the whole thing.他挖空心思，反而把事情全盘弄糟了。

You can't come round with such yarns⁵．你别想用这套花言巧语来哄骗我。

It has no counterpart in the world．举世无双。

The storm clouds gathered darkly. 乌云密布。

The data is not enough to be convincing. 资料不足，难以令人信服。

He was daunted⁶ by the amount of work still to be done. 还有那么多工作要做，弄得他灰心丧气。

He was silent in default by any excuse. 他无可推委，哑口无言。

There is no denying the fact．事实无可否认。

Her eyes became dimmed with tears. 她泪眼朦胧。

Defeat after defeat filled us with despair. 接二连三的失败，使我们深感绝望。

His speech was dreary⁷. 他的演讲枯燥乏味。

The state was in disruption.这个国家处于分崩离析之中。

由此可见，熟练掌握汉语的四字词组，充分理解、挖掘英语原文的深刻含义，就能在翻译中得心应手、运用自如。