1、 Culture Difference of Color Words in Chinese and Western Countries2颜色The symbolic significance of various colors in different national languages often differs a lot in feature,some of which even arouse taboos.The symbolic significance of the difference in color between different cultures is due to
2、the different cultural and historical background and the different aesthetic psychology of each nation.RED4颜色RED in china Red is the symbol of good luck,happiness,success,health,harmony,peace and prosperity.Here are many positive expressions.红火红火 红利红利 红颜红颜 走红走红 5颜色RED in Western culturesRed is the c
3、olor of blood,symbolizing life,passion and enthusiasm,celebration,and confidence.On the other hand,red also symbolizes temper,anger,danger,crime and violence,because it is the color the God of War.red tape官僚作风in the red 赤字a red letter day 大喜的日子 Idioms on RedED White White8颜色WHITE in chinaWhite symbo
4、lizes purity,brightness and clearness.Expressions of negative meanings with white may date back to the period from Han to Tang dynasty when(白衣白衣)referring to the populace were so poor that they could not afford to dye the cloth,then white began to be associated with poverty.It was said ghosts or spi
5、rits usually appeared in white.Then white began to be associated with death and was used to symbolize terrorand evil.9WHITE in western cultureIn western culture,a bride wears a long white skirt and veil and holds a white lily at the wedding ceremony,because the color traditionally symbolizes purity,
6、holiness,honesty,kindness and legality.Idioms on whiteA white lieA white lie无害而善意的谎言A white dayA white day吉日White nightWhite night不眠之夜White coffeeWhite coffee加有牛奶的咖啡 BIACK BIACK12颜色BLACK in chinaBlack was regarded as the king of all colors in ancient china and the single color worshiped the longest.
7、Black also symbolizes death,fear and illegal forces.13颜色BLACK in Western culturesIn English culture,black is a taboo to death and ill omen,and foreigners usually worn at funerals to express sadness and heavy mood.So,black is usually associated with hopelessness,gloominess,wickedness,even to express
8、anger and death.Idioms on BlackBlack coffee浓咖啡Black sheep害群之马Call black white颠倒黑白Swear black is white强词夺理Green in China In Chinese culture,green means a lot.It is the color of most plants,but the chinese do not favor it at all.People impose a low or mean meaning on green.When people are in bad look,
9、we often call it“a green look”(脸都绿了).In China,when ones wife has an affair,people would rather tell her husband is“wearing a green hat”.Green in Western CultureIn western culture,green tends to be attached to vitality and peace.a green old age 老当益壮in the green在青春期a green winter温暖的冬天However,green is
10、also a representitive of non-experienced or envy in western culture.A green hand一个新手A green horn涉世未深，容易上当受骗的人A green thought不成熟的想法be green with envy嫉妒，红眼There are always difference between Chinese and Westerners.Differences in color do exists if geography,nation,feeling are different.Only we master the difference can we better communicate with each other.Culture of colors
