A Contrast Study of the Meaning of Mouth-related Idioms in Korean and Chinese

This studyanalyses meanings of mouth-related idioms in Korean and Chinese. The subjectsof this study are Korean idioms that include ‘입’ and Chinese idioms with ‘口/嘴’,and the meanings of the idioms are related to ‘words’. The idioms are classifiedby semantic themes : ‘language habit’, ‘events and objects’ and ‘circumstances’. ‘Language habit’ is divided into ‘speaking out’ and ‘attitudes of speaking’. ‘Attitudes of speaking’ includes heaviness and lightness of words. ‘Events andobjects’ can be divided into ‘keeping secrets’, ‘revealing secrets’, ‘telling lies’ and‘rumors and messages’. ‘Circumstances’ includes ‘argument’, ‘public’s words’ and‘influence’. This study analyzes and contrasts Korean and Chinese idiomsaccording to the above classification. Regarding expressions and meanings, thisstudy presents similarities and differences as well as singularities that are foundin both languages.