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【Abstract】Idioms are the essence of language， the most common language， the strongest expression， the most abundant cultural connotation. In recent years， the study on the contrast between English and Chinese Idioms’ has attracted wide attention. But the existing research on comparison of food idioms between English and Chinese involves less. First of all， searching and reading existing related literature about contrastive study on food idioms between English and Chinese by using literature resources in library and summarizing the relevant content. Secondly， selecting the English-Chinese dictionary to look up， collecting the embodiment of food idioms between English and Chinese， and then arranging， analyzing and comparing some examples. The purpose of this thesis is to analyze the similarities and differences on food idioms between English and Chinese， and analyzing the causes of the similarities and differences.Through analyzing some examples， this thesis would like to make sure that English learners can understand and use the related food idioms better， so as to help them understand well about the English and Chinese culture， and to achieve success in language communication.
【Key words】food idioms； similarities； differences
1. Introduction
Although there are some different explain both in English and Chinese idioms， there are some similarities. That is， idioms regarded as an important part of language vocabulary. Idiom is a language in a certain cultural background and has developed and refined in the long-term use of the process and the formation of fixed collocation， language structure and specific the meaning of a phrase or a sentence. Ma Guofan（1959） points out that “idiom” can be defined both broadly and narrowly. An idiom is a combination of two or more words which functions as a unit of meaning （Cowie， 1975）.
Since the 1970s， although many scholars have carried out extensive research on the similarity and difference between English and Chinese idioms， and has made a lot of research results. Most of them study from translation， culture， rhetoric， but research on comparison food idioms between English and Chinese involve is less. This thesis begins research on the origin of food idioms between English and Chinese， and study the similarity and difference in food idioms between English and Chinese by the method of comparative analysis. Besides， some other scholars make contrastive studies between two languages using generative semantics and systemic functional grammar.（Yang zijian，1999）. 2. Definitions of Idioms Between English and Chinese
Idioms are the major components of the language with the persistence. In order to have a more comprehensive study of English and Chinese idioms， starting study from the origins of idioms.
2.1 Origins of Chinese Idioms
Zhang Peiji（1979） point out that a large number of idioms， either in English or Chinese， come from the people’s practice. Most of idioms in Chinese are created by working people. They got some experiences and lessons in their life， in order to better summarize and impart their experience， they use short and easy-to-remember language to pass on by verbal forms. After a long time of exercise， it has become idioms between people word of mouth.
2.2 Origins of English Idioms
Myth is the original understanding on the origin of the world， natural phenomena and social life by ancient people， and displays the story in the form of supernatural images and fantasy. Ancient Greek and Roman mythology is the most complete mythological system. It provides valuable language material for its rich， colorful and enduring for the world literature.
3. Similarities Between English and Chinese Food Idioms
In the study of comparative English and Chinese food idioms， the main analysis of similarities and differences between the two points. We will discuss the similarities between English and Chinese food idioms. Their similarities should be analyzed from the following three aspects.
3.1 Linguistic Characteristics of Food Idioms
English and Chinese food idioms have the characteristics of semantic uniformity， which means that the meaning of food idioms cannot simply understand its meaning as the sum of its word meaning. For example， in English food idioms “earn one’s bread”（養家糊口） does not have any relationship with bread. The bread referred here is not just a food， but an indispensable part of life.
This feature also exists in Chinese food idioms. For example， “吃软饭”， on the surface meaning is to eat relatively soft rice. In fact， it’s actually refers to the men without economic and livelihood by women， has nothing to do with rice.
3.2 Linguistic Functions of Food Idioms
English and Chinese food idioms are similar in communication function. Communication function refers to the influence of idioms on interpersonal communication.
Although there are different cultural backgrounds both in English and Chinese as the native language， there are some similarities in the communication function of food idioms. There are some examples in English food idioms. An army marches on its stomach.
The way to an Englishman’s heart is through his stomach.
When meat is in， anger is out.
3.3 Linguistic Structures of Food Idioms
There are some common features in the grammatical structure of English and Chinese food idioms.
In some English and Chinese food proverbs and saying in the forms of a sentence. The main analysis here is the pattern of food idioms. Some English and Chinese food idiom phrases are similar in composition in sentences.
In this respect， the similarity between them is as follows：
Marry is an apple polisher， she would do anything for the boss.
Such roles are small beer compared with the fame she once enjoyed.
約翰的老板上周末炒了他鱿鱼。
作好坏都是铁饭碗，能进不能出，能上不能下。
4. Differences Between English and Chinese Food Idioms
English and Chinese food idioms have some similarities， but there are also many differences as two distinct languages. The differences between English and Chinese food idioms will be analyzed from the following three aspects.
4.1 Different in Range and Classification
Generally speaking， English food idioms include phrases， proverbs， allusions； Chinese food idioms roughly divided into idioms and set phrases， Suyu， proverbs and Xiehouyu.
（一） English Food Idioms
1. Phrases
The English phrases refer to a fixed collocation formed by the combination of several words. Its meaning is often different from the meaning of its individual words， and the constituent of the phrases cannot be replaced， increased or decreased.
e.g.：
Out to lunch
A piece of cake
Full of bean
Out of bread
2. Proverbs
Proverbs have the function of imparting experiences and lessons， as well as teaching and persuasion， which is a concise and vivid statement.
e.g.：
When wine is in， the wit is out.
There is no use crying over spilt milk.
An apple a day， keep doctor away.
Many dishes make many diseases.
3. Allusions
In this kind of idioms， there are some interesting stories or allusions. If we study more deeply and we can be memorable and the translation will be able to accurately convey its meaning，
e.g.：
An apple of sodom
Apple of discord
（二）Chinese Food Idioms
1. Set Phrases
This kind of idioms is very common， usually consists of four characters， also known as the four word phrase. This kind of fixed phrase is widely used in Chinese ancient times and it is also very common in modern Chinese. Here are some examples of fixed phrases： e.g.：
酒囊飯袋
鱼肉百姓
山珍海味
美酒佳肴
2. Suyu
This kind of idioms is a more colloquial language， more popular and easy to understand. It has no fixed grammatical structure.
e.g.：
吃饭皇帝大（When someone is eating， he is kind of even surpassing an imperial emperor.）
雷公不打吃饭人（When man is having meal， even the Thunder chief will never interrupt.）
稀粥烂饭不伤人（Porridge and bad rice hurt no man.）
白菜吃半年，医生常清闲（If someone eating cabbage half a year， the doctor often idle）
3. Proverbs
The Chinese proverb is usually a profound truth that produces a simple thing in everyday life. Summing up the life experience， and telling people how to carry out their own society.
e.g.：
千事万事，吃饭是大事。（Eating is the most important event among all the events）
饭后百步走，活到九十九。（If you keep on jogging after meals， you would live long to 99.）
国以民为本，民以食为天。（People is the foundation of a nation， while Food is the first necessity of man.）
开门七件事，柴米油盐酱醋茶。（The first seven things that you have to do are the dealing with firewood， rice， oil， salt， soy sauce， vinegar and tea； that is to say life is all about eating and food.）
4. Xiehouyu
XieHouyu belongs to the Suyu， but the structures are not same. There is a mystery in it. Xiehouyu usually consists of two parts.The first part is a simple analogy； the second part is an abstract interpretation.
e.g.：
狗吃粽子—无解（Dogs eat zongzi – don’t know how to Untie）
鸡蛋里挑骨头—无中生有（ look for a bone in an egg–Out of nothing）
瞎子吃汤圆—心中有数（The blind man eating tangyuan– know the amount）
小葱拌豆腐—一清二白（Shallot with tofu– very clean）
4.2 Different in Idiomatic sources
From the study of the origins of English and Chinese food idioms， we can realize the different origins of food idioms， especially their unique myths and lends， historical figures and events， literary works and religious beliefs， lead to different idioms in countries.
4.3 Different in Cultural Background
Due to the cultural differences between English and Chinese languages， also may have different connotations of idioms， and implicit meaning is the meaning of the author wants to convey. The difference between English and Chinese idioms can be classified into two categories： the difference of the image meaning and the implied meaning， which are both literal meaning and the specific reflection of the cultural difference. Social history and culture Refers to the specific historical development process formed by the culture， the different development of history of nationalities， the corresponding culture is also different. Language is also affected by the historical development of great influence， so the idiom also has the brand of national history development.
5. Causes of Similarities and Differences
It is not difficult to find that there is a significant relationship between the two cultures in the study of the similarities and differences between English and Chinese food idioms.
5.1 Causes of Similarities
The similarities between English and Chinese idioms especially are some culturally overlapping， reflecting a certain degree of cultural and ideological characteristics common to all peoples. Although there are thousands of different ways of life for different peoples， their basic lifestyles and ways of thinking are the same； otherwise， people from different cultures cannot communicate with each other. All the people of the earth live in the same world share the same nature， no wonder there are some commonalities in their culture.
5.2 Causes of Differences
The causes of different reasons are analyzed from following three aspects.
5.2.1 The factor of Religious Belief
Each nation has its own religious beliefs， which has a subtle influence on the formation of people’s values and living habits and language expression. The Chinese nations mainly believe in Buddhism and Taoism in history， but in Britain and other western countries， the most influential religion is Christianity.
5.2.2 The factor of Cultural Implication
Idioms， as one of the most representative languages， are closely related to culture. Lado （1957） referred to culture as “the ways of a people”. The difference between English and Chinese idioms is actually the difference between English - speaking countries and Chinese culture.
The differences between English and Chinese culture is mainly displayed in the context of linguistic knowledge and background knowledge. Language knowledge mainly in aesthetics， color， time， quantity， daily life and social customs of the field， while background knowledge includes literature， art， history， geography， philosophy， science， industry and agriculture.
5.2.3 The factor of Historical Background
Historical background refers to a specific historical development process of the formation of culture. Due to the history of the development of different nationalities， the corresponding culture is also different. Language is also greatly influenced by historical development， so idioms also have the brand of national historical development. 6. Conclusion
Analysis of idioms in two different languages will undoubtedly help a better understanding of idioms in foreign language learning， and can grasp more idioms. In English and Chinese food idioms they have some similar structures， although there are differences between them.
Idioms play an important role in language. According to Gibbs （1986）， “one cannot be a competent speaker of a foreign language until one masters the various cliches and idiomatic expressions that are ubiquitous in everyday discourse”. Comprehensive study of idioms is not only useful but also attaches great importance to intercultural communication. It is hoped that readers can not only enrich their knowledge of English and Chinese food idioms， but also enhance the effectiveness of intercultural communication. And hoping readers will have some useful insights for a more comprehensive study of the similarities and differences in English and Chinese food idioms
References：
[1]Cowie，A.P.and R.Mackin.Eds.Oxford Dictionary of Current Idiomatic English[Z].London：Oxford University Press，1975.
[2]Gibbs R.W.Skating on the Thin Ice：Literal Meaning and Understanding Idioms in Conversation[J].Memory and Cognition，1986，（9）.
[3]Lado，R.Linguisticsr Across Culture[M].Ann Arbor：University of Michigan Press，1957.
[4]馬国凡.成语简论[M].沈阳：辽宁人民出版社，1959.
[5]杨自检.简论对比语言学中的几个问题[J].青岛海洋大学学报.1999（2）.
[6]张培基.习语汉译英研究[M].北京：商务印书馆，1979.
【Key words】food idioms； similarities； differences
1. Introduction
Although there are some different explain both in English and Chinese idioms， there are some similarities. That is， idioms regarded as an important part of language vocabulary. Idiom is a language in a certain cultural background and has developed and refined in the long-term use of the process and the formation of fixed collocation， language structure and specific the meaning of a phrase or a sentence. Ma Guofan（1959） points out that “idiom” can be defined both broadly and narrowly. An idiom is a combination of two or more words which functions as a unit of meaning （Cowie， 1975）.
Since the 1970s， although many scholars have carried out extensive research on the similarity and difference between English and Chinese idioms， and has made a lot of research results. Most of them study from translation， culture， rhetoric， but research on comparison food idioms between English and Chinese involve is less. This thesis begins research on the origin of food idioms between English and Chinese， and study the similarity and difference in food idioms between English and Chinese by the method of comparative analysis. Besides， some other scholars make contrastive studies between two languages using generative semantics and systemic functional grammar.（Yang zijian，1999）. 2. Definitions of Idioms Between English and Chinese
Idioms are the major components of the language with the persistence. In order to have a more comprehensive study of English and Chinese idioms， starting study from the origins of idioms.
2.1 Origins of Chinese Idioms
Zhang Peiji（1979） point out that a large number of idioms， either in English or Chinese， come from the people’s practice. Most of idioms in Chinese are created by working people. They got some experiences and lessons in their life， in order to better summarize and impart their experience， they use short and easy-to-remember language to pass on by verbal forms. After a long time of exercise， it has become idioms between people word of mouth.
2.2 Origins of English Idioms
Myth is the original understanding on the origin of the world， natural phenomena and social life by ancient people， and displays the story in the form of supernatural images and fantasy. Ancient Greek and Roman mythology is the most complete mythological system. It provides valuable language material for its rich， colorful and enduring for the world literature.
3. Similarities Between English and Chinese Food Idioms
In the study of comparative English and Chinese food idioms， the main analysis of similarities and differences between the two points. We will discuss the similarities between English and Chinese food idioms. Their similarities should be analyzed from the following three aspects.
3.1 Linguistic Characteristics of Food Idioms
English and Chinese food idioms have the characteristics of semantic uniformity， which means that the meaning of food idioms cannot simply understand its meaning as the sum of its word meaning. For example， in English food idioms “earn one’s bread”（養家糊口） does not have any relationship with bread. The bread referred here is not just a food， but an indispensable part of life.
This feature also exists in Chinese food idioms. For example， “吃软饭”， on the surface meaning is to eat relatively soft rice. In fact， it’s actually refers to the men without economic and livelihood by women， has nothing to do with rice.
3.2 Linguistic Functions of Food Idioms
English and Chinese food idioms are similar in communication function. Communication function refers to the influence of idioms on interpersonal communication.
Although there are different cultural backgrounds both in English and Chinese as the native language， there are some similarities in the communication function of food idioms. There are some examples in English food idioms. An army marches on its stomach.
The way to an Englishman’s heart is through his stomach.
When meat is in， anger is out.
3.3 Linguistic Structures of Food Idioms
There are some common features in the grammatical structure of English and Chinese food idioms.
In some English and Chinese food proverbs and saying in the forms of a sentence. The main analysis here is the pattern of food idioms. Some English and Chinese food idiom phrases are similar in composition in sentences.
In this respect， the similarity between them is as follows：
Marry is an apple polisher， she would do anything for the boss.
Such roles are small beer compared with the fame she once enjoyed.
約翰的老板上周末炒了他鱿鱼。
作好坏都是铁饭碗，能进不能出，能上不能下。
4. Differences Between English and Chinese Food Idioms
English and Chinese food idioms have some similarities， but there are also many differences as two distinct languages. The differences between English and Chinese food idioms will be analyzed from the following three aspects.
4.1 Different in Range and Classification
Generally speaking， English food idioms include phrases， proverbs， allusions； Chinese food idioms roughly divided into idioms and set phrases， Suyu， proverbs and Xiehouyu.
（一） English Food Idioms
1. Phrases
The English phrases refer to a fixed collocation formed by the combination of several words. Its meaning is often different from the meaning of its individual words， and the constituent of the phrases cannot be replaced， increased or decreased.
e.g.：
Out to lunch
A piece of cake
Full of bean
Out of bread
2. Proverbs
Proverbs have the function of imparting experiences and lessons， as well as teaching and persuasion， which is a concise and vivid statement.
e.g.：
When wine is in， the wit is out.
There is no use crying over spilt milk.
An apple a day， keep doctor away.
Many dishes make many diseases.
3. Allusions
In this kind of idioms， there are some interesting stories or allusions. If we study more deeply and we can be memorable and the translation will be able to accurately convey its meaning，
e.g.：
An apple of sodom
Apple of discord
（二）Chinese Food Idioms
1. Set Phrases
This kind of idioms is very common， usually consists of four characters， also known as the four word phrase. This kind of fixed phrase is widely used in Chinese ancient times and it is also very common in modern Chinese. Here are some examples of fixed phrases： e.g.：
酒囊飯袋
鱼肉百姓
山珍海味
美酒佳肴
2. Suyu
This kind of idioms is a more colloquial language， more popular and easy to understand. It has no fixed grammatical structure.
e.g.：
吃饭皇帝大（When someone is eating， he is kind of even surpassing an imperial emperor.）
雷公不打吃饭人（When man is having meal， even the Thunder chief will never interrupt.）
稀粥烂饭不伤人（Porridge and bad rice hurt no man.）
白菜吃半年，医生常清闲（If someone eating cabbage half a year， the doctor often idle）
3. Proverbs
The Chinese proverb is usually a profound truth that produces a simple thing in everyday life. Summing up the life experience， and telling people how to carry out their own society.
e.g.：
千事万事，吃饭是大事。（Eating is the most important event among all the events）
饭后百步走，活到九十九。（If you keep on jogging after meals， you would live long to 99.）
国以民为本，民以食为天。（People is the foundation of a nation， while Food is the first necessity of man.）
开门七件事，柴米油盐酱醋茶。（The first seven things that you have to do are the dealing with firewood， rice， oil， salt， soy sauce， vinegar and tea； that is to say life is all about eating and food.）
4. Xiehouyu
XieHouyu belongs to the Suyu， but the structures are not same. There is a mystery in it. Xiehouyu usually consists of two parts.The first part is a simple analogy； the second part is an abstract interpretation.
e.g.：
狗吃粽子—无解（Dogs eat zongzi – don’t know how to Untie）
鸡蛋里挑骨头—无中生有（ look for a bone in an egg–Out of nothing）
瞎子吃汤圆—心中有数（The blind man eating tangyuan– know the amount）
小葱拌豆腐—一清二白（Shallot with tofu– very clean）
4.2 Different in Idiomatic sources
From the study of the origins of English and Chinese food idioms， we can realize the different origins of food idioms， especially their unique myths and lends， historical figures and events， literary works and religious beliefs， lead to different idioms in countries.
4.3 Different in Cultural Background
Due to the cultural differences between English and Chinese languages， also may have different connotations of idioms， and implicit meaning is the meaning of the author wants to convey. The difference between English and Chinese idioms can be classified into two categories： the difference of the image meaning and the implied meaning， which are both literal meaning and the specific reflection of the cultural difference. Social history and culture Refers to the specific historical development process formed by the culture， the different development of history of nationalities， the corresponding culture is also different. Language is also affected by the historical development of great influence， so the idiom also has the brand of national history development.
5. Causes of Similarities and Differences
It is not difficult to find that there is a significant relationship between the two cultures in the study of the similarities and differences between English and Chinese food idioms.
5.1 Causes of Similarities
The similarities between English and Chinese idioms especially are some culturally overlapping， reflecting a certain degree of cultural and ideological characteristics common to all peoples. Although there are thousands of different ways of life for different peoples， their basic lifestyles and ways of thinking are the same； otherwise， people from different cultures cannot communicate with each other. All the people of the earth live in the same world share the same nature， no wonder there are some commonalities in their culture.
5.2 Causes of Differences
The causes of different reasons are analyzed from following three aspects.
5.2.1 The factor of Religious Belief
Each nation has its own religious beliefs， which has a subtle influence on the formation of people’s values and living habits and language expression. The Chinese nations mainly believe in Buddhism and Taoism in history， but in Britain and other western countries， the most influential religion is Christianity.
5.2.2 The factor of Cultural Implication
Idioms， as one of the most representative languages， are closely related to culture. Lado （1957） referred to culture as “the ways of a people”. The difference between English and Chinese idioms is actually the difference between English - speaking countries and Chinese culture.
The differences between English and Chinese culture is mainly displayed in the context of linguistic knowledge and background knowledge. Language knowledge mainly in aesthetics， color， time， quantity， daily life and social customs of the field， while background knowledge includes literature， art， history， geography， philosophy， science， industry and agriculture.
5.2.3 The factor of Historical Background
Historical background refers to a specific historical development process of the formation of culture. Due to the history of the development of different nationalities， the corresponding culture is also different. Language is also greatly influenced by historical development， so idioms also have the brand of national historical development. 6. Conclusion
Analysis of idioms in two different languages will undoubtedly help a better understanding of idioms in foreign language learning， and can grasp more idioms. In English and Chinese food idioms they have some similar structures， although there are differences between them.
Idioms play an important role in language. According to Gibbs （1986）， “one cannot be a competent speaker of a foreign language until one masters the various cliches and idiomatic expressions that are ubiquitous in everyday discourse”. Comprehensive study of idioms is not only useful but also attaches great importance to intercultural communication. It is hoped that readers can not only enrich their knowledge of English and Chinese food idioms， but also enhance the effectiveness of intercultural communication. And hoping readers will have some useful insights for a more comprehensive study of the similarities and differences in English and Chinese food idioms
References：
[1]Cowie，A.P.and R.Mackin.Eds.Oxford Dictionary of Current Idiomatic English[Z].London：Oxford University Press，1975.
[2]Gibbs R.W.Skating on the Thin Ice：Literal Meaning and Understanding Idioms in Conversation[J].Memory and Cognition，1986，（9）.
[3]Lado，R.Linguisticsr Across Culture[M].Ann Arbor：University of Michigan Press，1957.
[4]馬国凡.成语简论[M].沈阳：辽宁人民出版社，1959.
[5]杨自检.简论对比语言学中的几个问题[J].青岛海洋大学学报.1999（2）.
[6]张培基.习语汉译英研究[M].北京：商务印书馆，1979.