Abstract:We are living in a colorful world, with many color terms in our language. English and Chinese are also two colorful languages. In these two languages, color terms can express the unique charm. However, because of different cultural backgrounds, people in different countries may have the same or different feelings to the same color terms. In order to help people have a better understanding of the cultural similarities and differences between China and English-speaking countries, as well as promote cross-cultural communication, this paper did a contrast study on these six color terms, red, black, white, blue, yellow, green to do some research. The reason of choosing these color terms is that these color terms are the most basic ones.

Keywords：Color terms； Language； Culture； Contrast

Contents

Abstract

摘要

1 Introduction-3

2 The similarities of some basic color terms-3

2.1 Similarities in the color term red-3

2.2 Similarities in the color term black-5

2.3 Similarities in the color term white-7

2.4 Similarities in the color term blue-8

2.5 Similarities in the color term yellow-8

2.6 Similarities in the color term green-8

3 The differences of some basic color terms-9

3.1 Differences in the the color term red-10

3.2 Differences in the the color term black-12

3.3 Differences in the the color term white-12

3.4 Differences in the the color term blue-14

3.5 Differences in the the color term yellow-15

4 Conclusion-16

Bibliography-17

Acknowledgements-18