Chinese phrase
〜是字面意思还是比喻意思？ 〜 shì zì miàn yì si hái shì bǐ yù yì si
Meaning
Is ___ meant literally or figuratively?
When to use it
This asks whether an expression is literal or figurative. It clarifies whether the words have their direct meaning or suggest another idea.
Example dialogue
刚才那句'加油'是字面意思还是比喻意思？ gāng cái nà jù jiā yóu shì zì miàn yì si hái shì bǐ yù yì si
When you said 'Keep going' just now, was it meant literally, or was it figurative?
不是字面意思，是比喻，他是想鼓励你。 bú shì zì miàn yì si shì bǐ yù tā shì xiǎng gǔ lì nǐ
No, it wasn't literal; it was figurative. He was trying to encourage you.