[Express English] ─ What do you associate with the colour red? @ 看BBC學英文

558051_612363478790750_868308474_n

紅色對你來說代表什麼呢？在每個國家，你問別人這個問題，得到的答案一定會很不一樣。像在華人文化中，紅色就代表了喜氣，就像我們剛過的農曆新年，大家一定都有拿到或是發出紅包吧？參加婚宴的時候，我們也會刻意穿個紅色的衣服或是配件。甚至，在打麻將的時候，有些人還會偷穿紅色內褲，認為這樣可以多自摸幾把！紅色對我們華人來說，是個非常正面的顏色。但是在外國社會就不這麼認為了。外國人看到紅色會認為是警戒的作用，比如說，紅綠燈的紅燈就代表停止。在球場上，犯規出局，也是給紅牌。消防車也是紅色的，而警車的警哨燈也是紅燈。另外，紅色也讓人覺得是熱情又性感，就像是大紅色高跟鞋和紅色口紅都是性感的指標阿！

文章網址:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/general/expressenglish/2012/02/120206_ee_red.shtml

426545_612363652124066_174140937_n

What do you associate with the colour red?

Here's what people in London said:

Woman 1: I think of Hong Kong 'cos that's where I live and I just think of China and Chinese society and festivals and food.

Man 1: I suppose there are lots of meanings, isn't it? Love, anger, danger. All sorts, really. We use it to 'stop' at traffic lights and for attention, 'cos red is quite a bright colour like that.

Presenter: Do you ever see red?

Man 1: No. I'm a very calm, cool and collected person.

Let’s dig in!

487154_612363728790725_44006316_n

In this interview, the first woman thinks of Hong Kong and Chinese society simply because red is widely used in Chinese culture, especially whenever there is a good thing happening, such as Chinese New Year and wedding. Since red is a strong color, in the ancient time, people use this color to scare away a monster that ruin people’s houses during Chinese New Year. Firecrackers are also made in red.

In western culture, however, they tend to think of red as an alert or sexy symbol. That’s why all the caution signs are made in red background. Also, since fire is somewhat red as well, red can be associated with heat.

The presenter asks the question, “do you ever see red?” It is asking “have you ever been so angry that your eyes are burning with fire?” Then, the guy says that he is a very cool person who never loses his temper or become out of control.