英文合同中常见虚词
2009-09-03 17:06 星期四
(出自王辉著《英文合同导读》)
I don’t care what their intention was. I only want to know what the words mean.
A word is not a crystal, transparent and unchanged, it is the skin of a living thought and may vary greatly in color and content according to the circumstances and the time in which it is used.
--Towne v. Eisner, 245 U.S.418, 425(1918)(Holmes, J.)
我并不在意他们的意图是什么，我只是想知道文字的意思。文字不是水晶般通明一成不变，而是活生生思想的外衣，会因使用的场合和时间在色彩和内容上产生巨大的变化。
—霍尔姆斯法官（美国）
英文合同中常见的用词和句型有其相对固定的含义和用法，不仅可以帮助准确理解掌握合同条款的含义，而且这些成熟的表达方式可以为提高、完善草拟和翻译合同所借鉴，达到事半功倍的效果。
第一节合同常用词(Usual Wording)
当大量接触英文合同，就会发现英文合同中有些词或短语出现的频率非常高，往往影响或决定了对合同的准确理解，下面就分门别类从常见实词和常见虚词两个方面进行具体介绍：
一、英文合同常用虚词（Usual Function Words）
1． Here/there/where+介词构成的古体词
基本规则：Here代表this，there代表that，where代表which或what即here/there/where+介词=介词+this/that/which or what
l Hereby: by means of; by reason of this.特此，由此，兹等意。
例句：The Buyer hereby orders from the Seller the undermentioned goods subject to the following conditions:买方向卖方订购下列商品，条件如下：
l Herein：in this。此中，于此。
例句：The minimum royalty herein specified shall be paid by Party B to Party A. 在
此规定的最低特许权使用费应由乙方付给甲方。
l Hereinafter: later in the same Contract. 以下，在下文。通常与 to be referred to as, referred as, called 连用。
例句：This Agreement is made and concluded on ______, (date)____(year), by and between _____(hereinafter called Party A) on the one hand and _____(hereinafter called Party B) on the other hand. 本协议书于____年___月___日由_____（以下简称甲方）为一方，与_____(以下简称乙方)为另一方签订。
l Hereof：of this。关于此点，在本文件中。Hereunder：under this. 本文件规定。
例句：Both parties agree to attempt to resolve all disputes between the parties with respect to the application or interpretation of any term hereof of transaction hereunder, through amicable negotiation.合同双方就本合同规定交易任一条款的适用和解释所产生的所有争议同意力求通过友好协商予以解决。
l Hereto：to this.本文件的。Thereof：of that.它的，其。Thereto：to that 与之，向那里。
例句：
“Licensed Products” means the devices and products described in Schedule 1 annexed hereto together with all improvement and modification thereof or development with respect thereto. “特许产品”系指在本协议附件1中所述的装置和产品，及其全部改进和修改的产品和与之相关的产品。
l Herewith：with this.与此，附此。Thereby：by that means.因此，由此，从而
例句：In any one or more of the provisions contained in this Contract or any document executed in connection herewith shall be invalid of unenforceable in any respect under any applicable law, the validity and enforceability of the remaining provisions contained herein shall not in any way be affected thereby.如果根据现行法律，本合同及与此有关文件中有一项或多项条款被视为无效或不能履行，本合同其余条款的效力和履行将不因此受影响。
l Thereafter: after that，afterwards.此后。
例句：The Contract for the contractual joint venture shall continue from a period o two years thereafter.本合作经营企业合同，此后应持续有效两年。
l Therein: in that; in that particular context; in that respect.在那里；在那点上；在那方面。
例句：The Leased Premises are deemed to be fit for occupation when the building therein is substantially completed.当在那里的建筑物实质完成时，该租赁房屋才认为适合占有居住。
l Therewith：with that.以此；此外。
例句：The Employer shall indemnify and save harmless the Contractor against and from the same and against and from all claims, proceedings, damages, costs, charges and expenses whatsoever arising there out or in connection therewith.业主应赔偿所有索赔、诉讼、损害赔偿、支出、花费、费用，不论因本合同产生或与其相关，并保证承包人免于承担上述责任。
l Whereby: by the agreement; by the following terms and conditions, etc. 凭此协议，凭此条款等。
例句：This Agreement is made and concluded by and between AA Corporation (hereinafter referred to as Party A) and BB Company (hereinafter referred to as Party B) whereby the Parties hereto agree to enter into the compensation trade under the terms and conditions set forth below: 本协议由AA公司（以下简称甲方）和BB公司（以下简称乙方）签订。双方同意按下列条款进行补偿贸易。（本句中省略未译）
2． WITNESSETH, Whereas, Now Therefore, NOW THESE PRESENTS WITNESS, Know All Men by these presents，In witness Whereof, In Testimony Whereof, Undersigned.