所谓省略译法，就是把原文中需要而译文中不需要的单词、词组等在翻译过程中加以省略。类似于缩句译法。英语是形合语言，重形合(hypotaxis)，即词与词、分句与分句之间都用明确的关联词等语法词表示出来。汉语是意合语言，重意合(parataxis),即分句短语按顺序排列，少用关联词，少用关系副词等，往往比较简洁。因此在英译汉时，减词译法的使用也很普遍。我们将之分为语法减词，语义减词和修辞减词三类。
（一）语法减词
出于汉语简洁的习惯，在翻译时往往省略英文中必须有而汉语中可有可无的成分，如冠词、代词、关系副词、连词、系动词等。
But it’s the way I am, and try as I might, I am not able to change it.
但我就是这个脾气，虽几经努力，却未能改变。
He shrugged his shoulders, shook his head, cast upon his eyes, but said nothing.
他耸耸肩，摇摇头，两眼看天，一句话不说。
John rose gloomily as the train stopped, for he was thinking of his ailing mother.
火车停了，约翰想起了病中的母亲，郁郁的站了起来。
Bingley was so much delighted with the house that he agrees with Mr.Morris immediately.
宾格莱先生对房子非常中意，当场就和莫理斯先生谈妥了。
（二） 语义减词
有时原文中的词汇冗余，有语义重复的现象，在翻译时往往采用省词译法或合词译法。
He is a man of culture and learning.
他是个很有学问的人。
I hate all these hustle and bustle.
我讨厌这种拥挤不堪的场面。
（三）修辞减词
为了使译文简洁不拖沓，取得好的修辞效果，有时省略原文中不必要的词汇，而用中文中的四字成语来翻译。
These developing countries cover vast territories, encompass a large population and abound in natural resources.
这些发展中国家，地大物博，人口众多。
So fine was the morning except for a streak of wind here and there that the sea and the sky looked all one fabric, as if sails were stuck high up in the sky, or the clouds had dropped down into the sea.
清晨晴朗，微风徐徐，水天一色，征帆如插高天，浮云似坠海底。
