Abstract：There are a lot of animal idioms in both English and Chinese. And many interesting animal idioms are widely used in our daily life because they can express our feelings in a vivid and brief way. However, due different factors such as geography, history, religion, culture, there are some similarities and differences between English and Chinese animal idioms, and this caused much trouble when we study English. The paper is written to analyze the similarities and differences between English and Chinese animal idioms and give some enlightenment on learning and teaching English.

Key words: animal idioms; culture; cultural connotation

Contents

Abstract

摘要

1.Introduction

2.  Idiom and culture

2.1 Definition of idiom 

2.2 Definition of culture

2.2 The relationship between idiom and culture

3. The different cultural connotations between English and Chinese animal  

idioms

 3.1 The same animal idiom with different connotations

 3.1.1 Dog idioms

 3.1.2 Dragon idioms

3.2 The different animals with the same connotations

3.2.1 Tiger and lion idioms

3.2.2 Bull and house idioms

3.3 The same animals with the “same” connotations. 

  3.3.1 Donkey idioms

  3.3.2 Mouse idioms

  3.3.3 Pig idioms

  3.3.4 Fox idioms

4. Factors for the different cultural connotations between English and Chinese animal idioms

4.1 Geography 

4.2 History

4.3 Religion

4.4 Culture

5. The Enlightenment on learning and teaching English 

 5.1 The enlightenment on learning English

 5.2 The enlightenment on teaching English

6. Conclusion