Many people sleep late at weekends.

这句话有些人翻译成“周末许多人睡得很晚”,这种译法是错的

sleep 是一个典型的持续动词,表示“在睡觉”

而汉语的“睡(觉)”既可以表示短暂动作“上床睡觉”之意(如:我昨天11点才睡)

也可以表示“在睡觉”的持续动作之意(如:他睡了整整十个小时)

所以原句的意思:“周末许多人睡懒觉”

如果是晚上很晚才上床睡觉,英文应该说go to bed late

Many people go to bed very late at weekends.

Many people don't go to bed until very late at weekends

Many people stay up late at weekends

汉译英时注意区分

英语的短暂动词和持续动词也很重要

注意：短暂动词的完成形式不能和表示一段时间的状语连用

【例句】

I have worn this jacket for three days.

这件衣服我穿了三天了。

The old man has been dead for a year.

老人去世一年了。