German Conversation · Level 34
74 words
German word
Metapher
Pronunciation
IPA/meˈtafɐ/
Meaning
- feminine nounmetaphor
Example
In seinem Vortrag verwendet er oft Metaphern.
In his talk, he often uses metaphors.
More examples
Im Alltag benutzen wir oft Metaphern, um Gefühle zu beschreiben.
In everyday life, we often use metaphors to describe feelings.
Core concept
A familiar picture stands in for an unfamiliar or abstract idea, allowing the listener to grasp it through shared qualities.
Common phrases
eine Metapher bilden
form a metaphor
auf eine Metapher zurückgreifen
resort to a metaphor
Similar words
Vergleich: An expression places two things side by side using words such as wie or als.
Metonymie: A related term refers indirectly to the thing or idea meant.
Symbol: A concrete object or image conveys an abstract meaning or thought.
Personifikation: An expression portrays something nonhuman as having human traits or behavior.
Definition in German
Metapher bezeichnet eine sprachliche Wendung, die ohne Vergleichswort (wie, als) eine Sache durch Bilder oder Begriffe einer anderen beschreibt.
Word origin
The German noun was borrowed from Latin metaphora, which derives from Greek metaphorá and literally refers to carrying something across.
Usage tips
- German distinguishes a Metapher from a Vergleich: a metaphor says that one thing is another, while a comparison typically uses wie or als.
Opposites
- Wörtlichkeitliteralnessnoun
- Buchstäblichkeitliteralnessnoun
Related words
- metaphorischmetaphoricaladjective
- Metaphorikmetaphoricsnoun