在漢英翻譯中可進行各種詞類的轉(zhuǎn)換,例如： 漢語動詞轉(zhuǎn)換成英語名詞、形容詞、介詞；漢語形容詞或副詞轉(zhuǎn)換成英語名詞；漢語名詞轉(zhuǎn)換成英語動詞等等。其中，漢語動詞轉(zhuǎn)換成英語抽象名詞尤為普遍。高校常用的翻譯教材，如張培基、呂瑞昌、馮慶華等編撰的翻譯教材均將這種轉(zhuǎn)換列在第一位。請看以下各例：

例1． 中國政府承諾不對無核國家使用核武器。

如不注意詞性轉(zhuǎn)換，譯文可能是： 
The Chinese government undertakes not to use (that it will not use) nuclear weapons against non-nuclear countries.
這種譯文顯得有些口語化，不夠莊重。不如改用抽象名詞non-use:
The Chinese government undertakes non-use of nuclear weapons against non-nuclear countries.

例2． 禁止任何叛國、分裂國家、煽動叛亂及竊取國家機密的行為。

譯文一：To prohibit any act of treason, acts to split the country, incite rebellion and steal secrets.
譯文二：To prohibit any act of treason, secession, sedition and theft of state secrets.

以上譯文一使用 split , incite, steal 等動詞雖然語義正確，但似乎不夠莊重。譯文二使用抽象名詞，因而顯得文字嚴謹，適合正式法律條文的風格。

例3． 技術(shù)引進合同應(yīng)當訂明下列事項：引進技術(shù)的保密義務(wù)，改進技術(shù)的歸屬和分享。

譯文一：Provisions on the obligation to keep confidential the imported technology, and ownership of the right to copy any improvements made to the technology.
譯文二：Provisions on the confidentiality obligation as regards the imported technology, and ownership of the right to copy any improvements made to the technology.

對于"保密"這一動作譯文一使用相應(yīng)的動詞 keeping confidential，顯得過于口語化。譯文二轉(zhuǎn)用英語抽象名詞confidentiality，在法律文件中顯得較為得體。

例4． 這次十三屆八中全會開得好。

譯文一：The recent Eighth Plenary Session of the Thirteen Central Committee was a successful meeting.
譯文二：The recent Eighth Plenary Session of the 13th CPC Central Committee was a success.

會"開得好"很少有人直譯為動詞 was well conducted。
以上譯文一使用具體名詞 a successful meeting 比較常見；譯文二則將其濃縮為一個名詞 success，更為簡練。