“
Global lingvistika: yangi yondashuvlar va tadqiqotlar”
mavzusidagi xalqaro ilmiy-amaliy anjuman
~ 355 ~
COLOR EXPRESSIONS IN LANGUAGE: METAPHORS AND ADJECTIVES
IN KARAKALPAK AND ENGLISH
Tolegenova
Sarbinaz
Askarbaevna
1
st
- year student, 2
nd
Faculty of Foreign Language and Literature,
Uzbek State World Languages University (UzSWLU)
Abstract:
This paper compares color expressions in English and Karakalpak
languages, focusing on how color adjectives and metaphors describe both physical
and emotional states. The study analyzes six idioms (three from each language) that
use the colors yellow, blue, and red. Data was collected from dictionaries, online
sources, and native speakers. The comparison shows that while the same colors
appear in both languages, their meanings can differ depending on cultural and
emotional context.
Key words:
color expressions, adjectives, color metaphors, English language,
Karakalpak language, culture differences, emotion, symbolism, phraseology.
Color adjectives and metaphors play an important role in language because they
reflect how people from different cultures see the world. They are not only used to
describe objects, but also to show emotions, feelings, and ideas in a vivid and
meaningful way. Through metaphors and adjectives, we can understand how people
think, feel, and visualize their surroundings.By comparing color expressions in
English and Karakalpak, we can explore how these two languages use colors to
describe both physical and emotional experiences. This comparison is especially
interesting because English and Karakalpak are very different languages, yet they
may share some common ideas about colors. Understanding these similarities and
differences helps us better understand the worldview of each culture and sharpens our
own thinking by letting us experience a new perspective.The aim of this study is to
compare color-related adjectives and metaphors in English and Karakalpak, focusing
on how they describe emotions and physical conditions, and what they reveal about
the cultural background of each language.
This research is based on six idiomatic expressions — three from English and
three from Karakalpak. The idioms were selected based on the use of the same colors
(yellow, blue, and red) in both languages. Each idiom includes a color adjective that
functions either as a literal description (physical state) or as a metaphor (emotional
state).
For English idioms, data was collected from online articles, discussion forums,
and idiom dictionaries. Karakalpak examples were gathered from native speakers
(including my mother), Karakalpak explanatory dictionaries, and online articles.
“
Global lingvistika: yangi yondashuvlar va tadqiqotlar”
mavzusidagi xalqaro ilmiy-amaliy anjuman
~ 356 ~
The analysis focused on the meanings, emotional and physical usage, cultural
background, and traditional spoken language context. The idioms were compared
across the two languages to explore both shared and unique uses of color in
expressing emotions and cultural attitudes.
Example of a Color-Adjective Expression in Karakalpak:
Phrase: “Sari gul - sari uwayım”
Translation: “Yellow flower - yellow worry”
Meaning/Context: Physical State (Adjective): The phrase “sari gul”(yellow
flower) simply describes the color of the flower. The color yellow is used to show
what the flower looks like, giving an image of something bright and colorful in
nature. Emotional State (Metaphor): The phrase “sari uwayım” (yellow worry) uses
yellow to describe worry, stress, or feeling uncomfortable. The color yellow here is
linked to strong feelings of being upset or anxious.
Analysis and Comparison: Karakalpak: the shift from describing something
physical (yellow flower) to describing an emotion (yellow worry) shows how color
can describe both tangible objects and our feelings. The yellow flower is just a
description of the color of the flower, but when the same color is used for worry, it
takes on a new meaning, symbolizing emotion.
Expressions like “Sarģayıp otırabermesh” (don't sit yellowly) describe someone
who is worrying too much, showing how yellow is used to represent anxiety or
discomfort.
Cultural Aspect:
In Karakalpak, the color yellow plays two roles: as an
adjective to describe something visible (like a yellow flower) and as a way to
describe a person's emotions (yellow worry). This demonstrates how language
connects what we perceive with how we feel, where color is used to represent both
physical and emotional states. The expression “Sarģaytıp” ("yellowing the yellow
worry") means that worry can grow stronger or more intense over time, showing how
emotions can become more overwhelming.
Conclusion/Analysis: This analysis demonstrates how Karakalpak uses color-
adjective expressions to describe both physical things and emotions, such as in
“yellow flower” and “yellow worry”. The shift from a description of a flower to an
expression of emotion reveals the connection between language and feelings in
Karakalpak. The use of color to express emotion highlights the unique ways the
language reflects cultural perceptions of mental states.
Phrase: “Yellow-bellied”
Translation: “Cowardly, lacking courage”
Meaning/Context: Physical State (Adjective): The term “yellow-bellied”
literally suggests someone with a yellow belly — a descriptive image, though in
modern usage it is not used literally to describe physical appearance. Historically,
“
Global lingvistika: yangi yondashuvlar va tadqiqotlar”
mavzusidagi xalqaro ilmiy-amaliy anjuman
~ 357 ~
birds like tits or finches, which have yellow bellies and are easily frightened, may
have inspired this term. Emotional State (Metaphor): Metaphorically, “yellow-
bellied” describes a person who is cowardly, fearful, and easily intimidated. It implies
that the individual lacks bravery and might betray others in dangerous situations to
save themselves.
Analysis and Comparison: English: In English-speaking cultures, the color
yellow has traditionally been associated with negative traits such as cowardice,
jealousy, and betrayal. The term “yellow-bellied” evolved from this cultural
symbolism. “Belly” here metaphorically represents one's courage or “guts”, and
having a “yellow belly” implies sickly or weak insides — i.e., lacking the strength or
bravery to face danger. This expression thus connects physical imagery (a discolored
or weak belly) with moral character (lack of courage).
Cultural Aspect: Historically, yellow has been a color of shame and dishonor in
various cultures. For example, in France and Spain, traitors' homes were marked with
yellow. In medieval and Nazi Europe, Jews were forced to wear yellow as a mark of
betrayal. The cultural association of yellow with treachery and fear deepened the
meaning of idioms like "yellow-bellied," embedding them with connotations of
weakness, moral failure, and lack of bravery.
Conclusion
:
The idiom “yellow-bellied” demonstrates how the color yellow,
beyond being a mere visual trait symbolizes cowardice and dishonor in English
culture. Through historical and cultural associations, the term evolved into a strong
metaphor that reflects both emotional states and moral judgements.(1)
2. Phrase: “Kók bulıt - kók bet”
Translation: “Blue cloud - blue face”
Meaning/Context: Physical State (Adjective): The phrase “kók built” (blue
cloud) simply describes the color of the cloud, using blue as an adjective to denote
the color of the cloud. It's just a neutral, physical description. Emotional State
(Metaphor): The phrase “kók bet” (blue face) refers to a person who is angry,
irritable, or easily triggered into conflict. The blue color metaphorically represents a
person who is not only emotionally tense but has begun to adopt a conflict-driven
identity. This shift in behavior means the person is now gets into anger or quarrels,
and their emotional state has changed to one of constant unrest.
Analysis and Comparison: Karakalpak: the shift from describing a physical
object (blue cloud) to describing a human trait (blue face) illustrates how color can
symbolize both physical aspects and deep emotional transformations. The phrase
“kók built” is a simple description of a cloud's color, but when blue is used to
describe a person's face (blue face), it takes on a new meaning, indicating a change in
behavior and personality. The person is no longer just affected by external things —
they become a conflictual person, defined by their anger and irritability.
“
Global lingvistika: yangi yondashuvlar va tadqiqotlar”
mavzusidagi xalqaro ilmiy-amaliy anjuman
~ 358 ~
Phrases like “Kógerıp alip” (“bluely sitting”) describe someone sitting with a
tense, on-edge posture, implying that they are ready to explode with frustration. This
emotional state leads them to become more prone to conflict and arguments,
reinforcing the transformation of their identity into a quarrelsome individual.
Cultural Aspect: In Karakalpak culture, blue is a disliked color that is associated
with discomfort and negative emotions. It's not considered aesthetically pleasing, and
people generally avoid it. This dislike of blue is reflected in phrases like “Kók oramal
berdi mağan toydan” (Someone gave me a blue scarf). Receiving a blue scarf from a
newly married couple, especially the bride, signifies a moment of discomfort because
of the cultural aversion to the color. In this context, the color blue becomes a symbol
of emotional strain.
Further, the phrase “Qayģirip ólsin dedinba?” (“Did you think I would die from
worry?”) explains that the person feels emotionally burdened by the blue color, which
represents the anxiety and emotional conflict associated with it. By wearing the blue
scarf, the person would be reminded of the conflictual nature that the color
symbolizes, which leads to increased worry. The phrase suggests that the emotional
discomfort caused by blue is so overwhelming that it could metaphorically cause
someone to feel like they might “die from worry” — meaning it could change them
into a person filled with constant conflict and anxiety, just as blue symbolizes in the
culture.
Conclusion: In Karakalpak culture, the color blue is disliked and tied to negative
emotional states like anger, worry, and conflict. Through expressions like “kók built”
(blue cloud) and “kók bet” (blue face), blue is used to describe both physical things
and the emotional transformation of a person. A person described as having a “blue
face” has taken on a new identity, becoming prone to conflict, anger, and unrest. The
cultural aversion to blue in daily life further emphasizes this emotional connection,
highlighting how the color is linked to psychological and behavioral changes. In
Karakalpak, color isn’t just a physical description but a powerful symbol of
emotional transformation.
Phrase: “Blue eyes - feeling blue”
Translation: “Color of eyes-feeling sad or depressed”
Meaning/Context: Meaning/Context: physical state (adjective): this term refers
to the eye color which is the part of external qualities and in this context “blue” is in
an adjective form which just describe one of the features of eyes. Emotional state
(Metaphor): means being in a state of sadness or depression. The color blue is
associated with sadness and melancholy. This emotional state reflects feeling of
being down or low, typically associated with loss and disappointment, also being
overwhelmed or downhearted
“
Global lingvistika: yangi yondashuvlar va tadqiqotlar”
mavzusidagi xalqaro ilmiy-amaliy anjuman
~ 359 ~
Analysis and Comparison:
English: The color blue in this idiom is traditionally
associated with sadness and melancholy, likely due to cultural connections between
blue and somber, overcast skies or cold, wintry weather. This emotional state is
conveyed by saying someone is “feeling blue”, which implies that the person is in a
low, depressed, or melancholic mood. The use of color is symbolic, representing an
emotional “blueness” or downturn in one's emotional state. This expression
highlights the metaphorical use of color to evoke a deeper emotional response. The
idiom captures the idea of a person being overwhelmed by sorrow, represented
visually by the color blue.
Cultural Aspect:
In English-speaking cultures, blue is widely recognized as a
color representing sadness, with phrases like “feeling blue” being common. This
cultural understanding of blue as a symbol of emotional distress likely derives from
natural phenomena (e.g., cloudy, rainy days) that are often associated with gloomy or
sad moods. The emotional connection between blue and sadness is so strong that it
has become part of everyday language to describe personal emotional states, making
“feeling blue” a relatable, widely used idiom. This reflects a shared cultural
understanding of how colors can communicate feelings, even without direct verbal
explanation.
Conclusion:
The idiom “feeling blue” demonstrates how color, particularly
blue, is used in the English language to convey emotional states, specifically sadness
and depression. The connection between the color blue and negative emotions has
become deeply ingrained in the culture, leading to the widespread use of “feeling
blue” as a shorthand expression for experiencing emotional hardship. The
metaphorical use of color to describe mental and emotional states underscores the
power of language to capture complex human experiences through simple
expressions.(2)
3.Phrase: “Qızıl koylek - qızıl gegirdek”
Translation: “Red dress - red trachea”
Meaning/Context: Physical State (Adjective): The phrase “qızıl koylek” (red
dress) simply describes a physical object — a red-colored dress. Metaphor (Body
Part): The term “qızıl gegirdek” (red trachea) uses the div part “gegirdek” (trachea),
which is metaphorically linked to shouting or arguing. “zıl gegirdek” can indicate
intense conflict or disagreement, where the color red amplifies the emotional charge,
symbolizing the intensity of the argument. It suggests that the “red trachea” is not just
a physical part of the div, but is a metaphor for someone whose emotional state is at
its peak, in the middle of a loud argument or shouting match.
Analysis and Comparison: In Karakalpak, the term “gegirdek” (trachea)
originally refers to a div part, the tube-like structure that connects the larynx to the
lungs. The term is expanded into various phraseological units, where it takes on
“
Global lingvistika: yangi yondashuvlar va tadqiqotlar”
mavzusidagi xalqaro ilmiy-amaliy anjuman
~ 360 ~
meanings associated with shouting, arguing, or even consuming or spending
resources. For instance, phrases like “qızıl gegirdek bolıw” (to have a big argument)
or “gegirdekke suw búrkiw” (to shout) reveal how “gegirdek” metaphorically
represents loud, forceful actions, including conflict and emotional outbursts.
The phrase “qızıl gegirdek bolıw” (to have a strong argument) directly connects
the red color with intense emotional turmoil, as the term “red” here is not just a color
descriptor but serves to intensify the metaphor. The “red trachea” represents the point
at which emotions are vocalized, often resulting in shouting or disagreements, which
is further emphasized by the div part metaphor.
Cultural Aspect: The use of div parts in Karakalpak phraseology is quite
common and often serves to describe emotional and behavioral traits. For instance,
phrases like “gegirdekke urıw” (to eat or spend on one's own) or “óz gegirdegin
oylaw” (to think of one's own goal) are metaphorical extensions of the div part,
implying actions tied to personal intent or emotional reaction. Similarly, “gegirdekke
suw búrkiw” (shouting, talking up) is used to indicate emotional intensity
Conclusion: The Karakalpak language richly uses div parts like the trachea
(gegirdek) to express emotions, particularly related to conflict and shouting. The
metaphor of “qızıl gegirdek” (red trachea) conveys a strong argument or loud
emotional outbursts, with red amplifying the intensity of the emotional state. By
blending color and div parts, Karakalpak expressions highlight the deep connection
between physical and emotional states, showing how language can vividly reflect
cultural values and human behavior.(3)
Phrase: “See red”
Translation: “See the color – red/to become very angry”
Meaning/Context: Physical meaning (Adjective): the phrase suggests a visual
image of the color red, which is often associated with heightened emotion. Emotional
Meaning (Metaphor): The phrase “see red” means to get very angry very quickly. It is
used when someone feels strong anger, often because something unfair or upsetting
happened.
Cultural Meaning: The phrase comes from bullfighting. In bullfights, the fighter
waves a red cloth to make the bull charge. Bulls don’t actually get angry because of
the color red (they are color-blind), but the red cloth is a strong image. Also, the color
red often makes people think of anger, danger, or blood. That’s why “see red”
became a way to describe someone becoming very angry. In many countries, the
color red is used to show danger or strong emotions. Red lights, warning signs, and
fire are all examples. Because of this, red is a color we connect with being angry or
out of control.
The idiom “see red” is a short way to say that someone suddenly got very angry.
It uses the color red because people often link it with anger and strong feelings.
“
Global lingvistika: yangi yondashuvlar va tadqiqotlar”
mavzusidagi xalqaro ilmiy-amaliy anjuman
~ 361 ~
This study compared color expressions in English and Karakalpak to show how
each language uses colors to express emotions and physical traits. While the
languages are different, both reflect cultural views through color. The same color
may carry different meanings, showing how language expresses the way people
experience the world.
References:
1.Englex. (n.d.). Цветные идиомы английского языка с переводом. История
и правила употребления. Retrieved May 11, 2025,
2.Bekniyazova, G. A. (2021). Cross-cultural analysis of colour idioms in
English, Russian and Karakalpak languages. КиберЛенинка.
3.Mambetmuratova, M. T. (2021). Phraseological units related to parts of div
presented in Karakalpak explanatory dictionary. EPRA International Journal of
Multidisciplinary Research (IJMR), 7(4), 191–194.
4.Stack Exchange. (2023, August 8). What is the origin of the expression
"seeing red" in reference to "being angry"? English Language & Usage Stack
Exchange.
