ACADEMIC RESEARCH IN MODERN SCIENCE
International scientific-online conference
114
A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF KINSHIP-TERM-BASED
PHRASEOLOGICAL UNITS IN CHINESE AND UZBEK LANGUAGES
Nurullaeva Kumushbibi
senior teacher at the department of English language,
Urgench branch of Tashkent Medical academy
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.15854324
Abstract.
This article explores the similarities and differences between
Chinese and Uzbek phraseological units that involve kinship terms. Kinship
terms, as essential components of any language, reflect social structure, cultural
values, and historical development. By analyzing idioms and fixed expressions
containing kinship references in both languages, the study identifies shared
cultural connotations and distinctive linguistic features. The findings reveal how
kinship-based idioms are used metaphorically to express social relationships,
values, emotions, and behavioral norms.
Key Words:
Kinship terms, phraseological units, idioms, Chinese language,
Uzbek language, linguistic comparison, cultural semantics.
Introduction.
Kinship terms are deeply rooted in every language and serve
as mirrors of societal norms, traditions, and interpersonal dynamics. Both
Chinese and Uzbek languages, representing Eastern and Central Asian
civilizations respectively, have rich systems of kinship terms that go beyond
biological relationships to include social hierarchies and respect structures. This
research focuses on how these kinship terms function within phraseological
units and idioms, examining their metaphorical and symbolic meanings. The aim
is to identify cross-cultural parallels and unique linguistic patterns through
comparative phraseological analysis.
Literature Review.
Several scholars have addressed kinship terminology
from linguistic, anthropological, and sociocultural perspectives. In Chinese
linguistics, studies such as those by Liu (2011) emphasize the Confucian
influence on kinship hierarchies in idioms. Uzbek linguists like T. Nazarova and
S. Juraev (2020) analyze kinship terms as reflections of Turkic family values and
community respect. However, there is a limited number of comparative studies
between Chinese and Uzbek phraseological systems. This article fills that gap by
providing a focused analysis of idiomatic expressions that embed kinship terms
across both languages.
Methods.
This study employed a qualitative comparative method,
collecting over 100 phraseological units (PU) from authoritative Chinese and
Uzbek dictionaries and corpora. Units were selected based on the presence of
explicit kinship terms (e.g., father, mother, brother, uncle). The selected PUs
ACADEMIC RESEARCH IN MODERN SCIENCE
International scientific-online conference
115
were categorized semantically (e.g., authority/respect, foolishness, affection,
conflict), then analyzed to uncover metaphorical meanings, cultural associations,
and structural similarities or differences.
Results and Discussion.
Phraseological units involving kinship terms
evoke strong emotional meaning in both languages. For example, in Chinese, the
expression
"
骨肉
亲
" (gǔ ròu qīn)
– "flesh and blood relatives" – emphasizes the
close connection and emotional bond between family members. In Uzbek, the
expression
“like one’s own sister”
conveys the necessity of treating someone
with great care, trust, and respect.
In the analysis of phraseological units involving maternal kinship terms, the
expressions containing the terms
公
[gōng]
– maternal grandfather,
婆
[pó]
–
maternal grandmother, and
姨姨
[yíyí]
– aunt (mother's sister) were observed.
Maternal kinship terms appeared in a total of
five
phraseological units.
Phraseological units involving kinship terms in both Chinese and Uzbek
languages share certain universal features, including: In both languages, kinship
terms are used metaphorically in phraseological units to express various
concepts and emotions. For example, in Chinese, the term
“
兄弟
” [xiōngdì]
(brothers) can be metaphorically used to refer to close friends or companions.
Similarly, in Uzbek, the term
“mother”
can be used metaphorically to express
affection or compassion toward someone.
1. Respect and Authority
Chinese
: “
父母之命，媒妁之言
” (Parents' order and matchmaker's
words) reflects the parental control over marriage choices, rooted in Confucian
ethics.
Uzbek
: “Otangni ko‘r, ota bo‘l” (Look at your father, become a father)
reflects the role of the father as a moral role model.
Both expressions elevate the authority of elder family members, but
Chinese idioms often emphasize obedience, while Uzbek idioms highlight
emulation and respect.
2. Stupidity or Folly
Chinese
: “
二百五
” (250 – a foolish person) is metaphorically linked to
incomplete numbers used to indicate lack of sense.
Uzbek
: “Ona suti og‘zidan ketmagan” (His mother’s milk hasn't dried in his
mouth) implies immaturity or inexperience.
Uzbek idioms tend to use maternal references to denote childishness or
lack of maturity, while Chinese idioms may use numeric symbolism or indirect
metaphors.
ACADEMIC RESEARCH IN MODERN SCIENCE
International scientific-online conference
116
3. Family Conflict and Irony
Chinese
: “
兄弟
阋于墙，外御其侮
” (Brothers fight within, but defend each
other from outsiders) implies internal discord but external solidarity.
Uzbek
: “O‘z ukang ham bo‘lsa, ehtiyot bo‘l” (Even your own brother—be
cautious) emphasizes suspicion even within kinship.
While both express ambivalence in sibling relationships, Chinese
expressions focus on unity under threat, whereas Uzbek idioms reflect caution,
shaped by historical tribal structures.
4. Love and Affection
Chinese
: “
母
爱如水
” (A mother’s love is like water) expresses gentle,
unconditional affection.
Uzbek
: “Ona yuragi tog‘dek” (A mother’s heart is like a mountain) shows
strength and unwavering support.
Both idioms elevate maternal love, but the metaphors differ: Chinese
metaphors lean toward gentleness (water), while Uzbek metaphors lean toward
strength and stability (mountain).
Conclusion.
The comparative study of Chinese and Uzbek phraseological
units containing kinship terms reveals both shared human values and culturally
specific expressions. While both languages utilize kinship metaphors to discuss
respect, affection, and social dynamics, the cultural backgrounds—Confucian
ethics in China and Turkic tribalism in Uzbekistan—shape the nuances of these
expressions. Understanding such idiomatic structures can contribute to better
intercultural communication and deeper insights into the worldviews of the two
nations.
References:
1.
Liu, Z. (2011). Chinese Idioms and Confucian Culture. Beijing University
Press.
2.
Nazarova, T., & Juraev, S. (2020). O‘zbek tilida qarindoshlik terminlari
asosidagi iboralar. Toshkent: Fan.
3.
Feng, Y. (2014). Kinship and Metaphor in Chinese Proverbs. Shanghai
Foreign Languages Press.
4.
Karimov, U. (2018). O‘zbek tilida frazeologik birliklarning semantik tahlili.
Toshkent: O‘qituvchi.
5.
Zhou, M. (2020). Metaphor and Cultural Connotation in Chinese Kinship
Idioms. Chinese Language Research Journal, 12(3), 45–57.
ACADEMIC RESEARCH IN MODERN SCIENCE
International scientific-online conference
117
6.
Сун Чжилань.Фразеологизмы с компонентами номинации родства в
русском языке :С позиции носителя китайского языка. Дис. канд. филол.
науки М., 2005. – 188с.
7.
Синьюй У. Лингвокультурологическая специфика концепта" семья" в
русской и китайской культурах //Известия Российского государственного
педагогического университета им. АИ Герцена. – 2009. – №. 105. – С. 110-
115.
8.
Ли Ямеи, Очилов О. Ўзбекча-хитойча мақол, матал, иборалар луғати.
– Тошкент, 2010. – 255 б.
9.
Sapaeva, D. (2025). COMMUNICATIVE STRATEGIES OF PROFESSIONAL
MEDICAL DISCOURSE. Современные подходы и новые исследования в
современной науке, 4(5), 99-102.
10.
Narbaevna, S. D. (2022). MEANS OF ESTABLISHING CONTACT WITH THE
PATIENT IN MEDICAL DISCOURSE. ResearchJet Journal of Analysis and
Inventions, 3(04), 215-218.
11.
Mamatnazarovna, B. N., & Narbaevna, S. D. (2024). Slang in English Culture
and Language. International Journal of Scientific Trends, 3(12), 396-400.
