Abstract: This study aims to compare the differences between English and Chinese associative meaning on the basis of the categories of associative meaning through analyzing animal and color idioms. The associative meanings of a word may surpass the word’s original meaning. Different from logical meaning or conceptual meaning, associative meaning, for its vagueness and variability, is hardly controllable for those language learners who are lack of broad knowledge beyond language itself. So it’s necessary to explore the sources of associative meaning so as to appropriately use language especially in intercultural communication, avoiding misunderstanding or even trouble.

Key words: associative meaning; idioms; intercultural analysis

摘要：本文通过利奇提出的联想意义对英汉习语差异进行跨文化分析，旨在发现说话者使用习语时表现出的特殊信息、价值和情感态度等，从而能够更有效的进行跨文化交际。本文通过动物习语和颜色习语对比分析英汉联想意义的差异。从这些差异上加深人们对两种不同文化的理解，让人们带着更开放包容的态度，促进更广泛的跨文化交流。

关键词：联想意义差异;英汉习语; 跨文化分析