在英语中，定语从句很常见，有的结构比较简单，有的结构相当复杂，有的与先行词关系密切，有的与先行词关系不甚密切，有的定语从句还具有原因、结果、让步、目的、条件、假设等意义。 翻译时可根据其结构和含义采用不同的译法。

一、前置：句式较短、且与修饰词联系紧密，一般前置

前置法就是把定语从句译成带"的"的定语词组，放在被修饰词之前.从而将英语的复合句译成汉语单句

A man who doesn't try to learn from others cannot hope to achieve much.

一个不向别人学习的人是不能指望有名少成就的。

People who can not distinguish between colors are said to be colour-blinded.

分不清颜色的人是色盲。

二、拆分

1.先行词保留

An element is a substance that cannot be broken down into simpler substance by ordinary chemical means.

元素是一种物质，这种物质不能用一般化学方法再分裂成再简单的物质

2.译出关系代词

They will fly to Kunming, where they plan to stay for two or three days, and then go on to Guilin.

他们将乘飞机到昆明，在那儿停留两三天，然后去桂林。

三、转换译法

1.表示时间：译成时间状语

A girl who was learning to ride a bicycle lost balance and fell down.

一个女孩骑自行车时失去平衡，摔倒了。

Electricity, which is passed through the thin tungsten wire inside the bulb, makes the wire very hot.

当电通过灯泡里的细钨丝时，钨丝就会变得很热

2.表示原因：译成原因状语

But he would have to be careful not to offend Crass, the foreman, who could give him the sack at any time.

但是，他得小心谨慎，不要得罪工头克拉斯，因为他随时可以把他解雇。

3.表示目的：译成目的状语

He bought a lot of picture-books which were used for helping his young boy to read.

他买了许多图画来帮助他的小孩认字。

4.表示条件：译成条件状语

Nothing is hard in the world for one who dares to scale the height.

世上无难事，只要肯攀登.

5.表示让步：译成让步状语

Professor Wang, who is old, is still working hard in his field.

王教授虽然上了年纪，但仍然在自己的领域里辛勤工作。

The problem, which is very complicated, has been solved.

这个问题虽然很复杂，但已经解决了，

6.表示结果：译成结果状语

He wrote so many books which resulted in his success.

他写了那么多书，终于功成名就。