“前脚”在英语中常见的表达是 “the instant before” 或 “just before”,用于描述在某个动作或事件发生之前紧接着的那一刻。不过,更贴近“前脚”在中文中那种“紧接着、刚一……就……”语境的常用表达是 “right after/before + 从句” 的反义用法(即描述前一个动作),或直接用 “the moment/instant one does something” 结构来体现“刚一……就”的前后动作紧密性。若单纯翻译“前脚”(如“他前脚刚走”),可译为 “He had just left” 或 “As soon as he left”。
以下是一些例句:
1、 He had just left when the phone rang.(他前脚刚走,电话就响了。)
2、 Right before the meeting started, he realized he had forgotten his notes.(会议开始前脚,他意识到自己忘了带笔记。)
3、 The moment/Instant she opened the door, the cat ran out.(她前脚一开门,猫就跑了出去。)
若需更贴近“前脚”这一身体部位比喻的直译(较少见),可用 “forefoot”(动物前脚,如马、狗等),但人一般不用此词描述脚部动作。日常语境中,推荐使用上述表达方式。