“神气活现”常见的英文表达有 “swagger around”、“be full of oneself in a showy way” 或 “strut about” 等,具体可根据语境选择:
“swagger around”:较为生动形象,强调以一种自信且略带傲慢的姿态走来走去,突出“神气活现”中那种自我感觉良好、趾高气扬的状态。例如:He swaggered around the room, acting like he owned the place.(他在房间里神气活现地走来走去,好像他是这房间的主人一样。)
“be full of oneself in a showy way”:更直白地描述出某人自我感觉过于良好,以一种夸张的方式展现自己,和“神气活现”想要传达的那种自我炫耀、自命不凡的意味相符。例如:She was always full of herself in a showy way, thinking she was the center of the universe.(她总是神气活现地自我炫耀,觉得自己是宇宙的中心。)
“strut about”:侧重于描述人昂首阔步、大摇大摆地走动,以显示自己的优越感,也能体现“神气活现”的姿态。例如:The rooster strutted about the farmyard.(那只公鸡在农场的院子里神气活现地走来走去。 )