Abstract: There are plenty of idioms in both English and Chinese. These idioms are rich in cultural information and cultural characteristics. Furthermore, the idioms demonstrate distinct features of their nations and regions. They have vivid images and colorful meanings. Among these kinds of idioms, animal idioms or idioms with animal names are widely used in both Chinese and English languages. The similarities and differences in this kind of English and Chinese idioms should be worth exploring. This paper analyzes the cultural differences between English and Chinese animal idioms, through a comparative and contrastive study of their figurative images and meanings.
Key words: English and Chinese animal idioms; images and meanings; causes; cultural differences
摘要：英汉语中都有大量习语。这些习语蕴含着丰富的文化信息，涵盖着大量的文化特征和文化背景，具有鲜明的形象和比喻，带有鲜明的民族特征和地域色彩。在各类习语中，动物习语在英汉语中都广泛存在。英汉语的文化异同之处也同样反映在丰富的动物习语中。本文试图通过英汉动物习语形象和意义的对比，分析产生这种异同的原因，从而揭示英汉动物习语的文化差异。
关键词：英汉动物习语；形象和意义；原因；文化差异
