Some things usually have different meanings in different cultures. Here are some words about animals that are used differently [1]differently: US: [ˈdɪfərəntlɪ] UK: [‘dɪfrəntlɪ] adv. 不同；不同地；别具一格 in western cultures and Chinese culture.
Most phrases in Chinese about the dog, such as “a homeless dog”, “a mad dog”, “a running dog” and “a dog catching a mouse”, have negative [2]negative: US: [ˈneɡətɪv] UK: [‘neɡətɪv] adj. 坏的；有害的；消极的；负面的 meanings. But in western countries, dogs are considered [3]consider: US: [kənˈsɪdər] UK: [kənˈsɪdə(r)] v. 认为；觉得；以为；顾及 honest [4]honest: US: [ˈɑnəst] UK: [ˈɒnɪst] adj. 诚实的；正直的；努力(工作)的 and good friends of humans. The word, “dog”, has positive [5]positive: US: [ˈpɑzətɪv] UK: [ˈpɒzətɪv] adj. 肯定；确信；积极乐观的；自信的 meanings. For example, “you are a lucky dog” means you are a lucky person. And “every dog has its day” means each person has good luck at times [6]at times: 有时；有时候；时常.
As we know [7]As we know: 众所周知；正如我们所知道的, dragons are very important in Chinese culture. In ancient [8]ancient: US: [ˈeɪnʃənt] UK: [ˈeɪnʃ(ə)nt] adj. 古代的；古老的；很老的 times [9]in ancient times: 在古代；古时候, dragons were regarded as [10]be regarded as: 被认为是；被当做是 strong and magical [11]magical: US: [ˈmædʒɪk(ə)l] UK: [‘mædʒɪk(ə)l] adj. 有魔力的；用于巫术的；奇妙的 creatures [12]creature: US: [ˈkritʃər] UK: [ˈkriːtʃə(r)] n. 生物；动物；（具有某种特征的）人. They brought hope and good luck. The ancient emperors [13]emperor: US: [ˈemp(ə)rə(r)] UK: [ˈemp(ə)rə(r)] n. 皇帝；帝王 compared [14]compare: US: [kəmˈper] UK: [kəmˈpeə(r)] v. 比较；对比 themselves to dragons [15]compare A to B: 把A比作B. Nowadays, many parents want their children to become “dragons”. But in western cultures, dragons were dangerous animals. Heroes killed them to protect people.
Some things have similar meanings in Chinese culture and western cultures. The rose is regarded as a symbol of [16]a symbol of：的象征；一种……的象征；的标志 love in both China and some western countries. People in China and the West think the rose also stands for [17]stand for: 代表；象征；容忍，忍受 peace, courage [18]courage: US: [ˈkʌrɪdʒ] UK: [‘kʌrɪdʒ] n. 勇气；勇敢；无畏；胆量 and friendship. When we pay attention to [19]pay attention to: 注意；重视 *后面跟(doing) sth. the cultural meanings of words, we will understand them better.
Word Bank
| ↑1 | differently: US: [ˈdɪfərəntlɪ] UK: [‘dɪfrəntlɪ] adv. 不同；不同地；别具一格 |
|---|---|
| ↑2 | negative: US: [ˈneɡətɪv] UK: [‘neɡətɪv] adj. 坏的；有害的；消极的；负面的 |
| ↑3 | consider: US: [kənˈsɪdər] UK: [kənˈsɪdə(r)] v. 认为；觉得；以为；顾及 |
| ↑4 | honest: US: [ˈɑnəst] UK: [ˈɒnɪst] adj. 诚实的；正直的；努力(工作)的 |
| ↑5 | positive: US: [ˈpɑzətɪv] UK: [ˈpɒzətɪv] adj. 肯定；确信；积极乐观的；自信的 |
| ↑6 | at times: 有时；有时候；时常 |
| ↑7 | As we know: 众所周知；正如我们所知道的 |
| ↑8 | ancient: US: [ˈeɪnʃənt] UK: [ˈeɪnʃ(ə)nt] adj. 古代的；古老的；很老的 |
| ↑9 | in ancient times: 在古代；古时候 |
| ↑10 | be regarded as: 被认为是；被当做是 |
| ↑11 | magical: US: [ˈmædʒɪk(ə)l] UK: [‘mædʒɪk(ə)l] adj. 有魔力的；用于巫术的；奇妙的 |
| ↑12 | creature: US: [ˈkritʃər] UK: [ˈkriːtʃə(r)] n. 生物；动物；（具有某种特征的）人 |
| ↑13 | emperor: US: [ˈemp(ə)rə(r)] UK: [ˈemp(ə)rə(r)] n. 皇帝；帝王 |
| ↑14 | compare: US: [kəmˈper] UK: [kəmˈpeə(r)] v. 比较；对比 |
| ↑15 | compare A to B: 把A比作B |
| ↑16 | a symbol of：的象征；一种……的象征；的标志 |
| ↑17 | stand for: 代表；象征；容忍，忍受 |
| ↑18 | courage: US: [ˈkʌrɪdʒ] UK: [‘kʌrɪdʒ] n. 勇气；勇敢；无畏；胆量 |
| ↑19 | pay attention to: 注意；重视 *后面跟(doing) sth. |
