REPRESENTATION OF CHINESE CULTURE IN CHINESE PROVERBS CONTAINING “火” (HUO): A COMPARATIVE STUDY WITH VIETNAMESE COUNTERPARTS

Abstract

Idioms are fixed expressions or short phrases that are summed up and handed down from generation to generation. In Chinese and Vietnamese language, idioms are an important component that plays a key role in conveying the cultural connotations of both countries. Within the scope of this article, from the perspective of cultural linguistics, we discuss Chinese culture reflected in idioms containing the Chinese character "火" (Huo) and compare it with Vietnamese culture in idioms containing the words "Fire" in Vietnamese. Research findings show that fire had a close relationship with Chinese methods of primary cultivation and military strategies in ancient wars, reflecting people's moods, behavioral manners, conceptions of life, philosophy and religions of both countries.