文档介绍：Similar and Different Connotations about
in the Chinese and Western Cultures
Animals
What are the twelve animal signs in Chinese culture?
Rat
Ox
Tiger
Hare
Dragon
Snake
Monkey
Sheep
Horse
Cock
Dog
Boar
Rat
Chinese connotations:
,人人喊打。
(S) A rat crossing the street is chased by all.
(D) as timid as a hare
Western connotations:
/ troublesome /disgraceful
Smell a rat觉得非常可疑
They ratted on .
“Rat” is only associated with something derogatory in both Chinese and Western Cultures.
Ox
Chinese connotations:
strong/well-built 壮如牛(D) strong as a horse
Stubborn 牛劲(D) stubborn as a mule
Dedicated/industrious牛吃的是草,挤出的是奶.
Ignorant 对牛弹琴
Western connotations:
Big eyes an ox-eyed man
Misfortunes
The black ox has trod on his foot.
灾祸已降临到他的头上。
“Ox” is associated with more things mendatory connotations in China than in the West.
Tiger
Chinese connotations:
Cute/lovely虎头虎脑
Brave/courageous/powerful猛虎下山/狐假虎威
(D) like a donkey in a lion's skin
Evil-doing为虎作伥
Western connotations:
1. Savage /fierce a man of tiger
2. Dangerous ride the tiger 以危险的方式生活
“Tiger” is given mendatory and derogatory connotations in China whereas only derogatory connotations in the West.
Hare (Rabbit)
Chinese connotations:
cunning/sly 狡兔三窟
Nimble and fast动若脱兔
Western connotations:
Timid as timid as a hare 胆小如鼠
Something irrelevant
You start a hare every time at the 。
Dragon
Chinese connotations:
Supreme /majestic 真龙天子
Industrious and enterprising 龙马精神
Dangerous /fierce 龙潭虎穴/龙争虎斗
龙跃凤鸣、龙骧虎步
We are the descendents of the Chinese Dragon.
我们是龙的传人.
亚洲四小龙the Four Tigers in Asia (Dragons)X
Western connotations:
brutal/fierce the Old Dragon魔鬼
Snake
Chinese connotations:
Cold/cruel 蛇蝎心肠
Rough/careless 虎头蛇尾
Fearful/frightening杯弓蛇影
Western connotations:
cold-blooded/hypocritical John’s behavior show him to be a 。
Dangers a snake in the
Horse
Chinese connotati