metaphor
[/ˈmɛtəfər/ or /ˈmɛtəfɔr/]
nounfemininepl: metaphors
metáfora
1. A figure of speech in which a word or phrase is applied to an object or action to which it is not literally applicable, in order to suggest a comparison or create a poetic effect
The world is a stage, and all the men and women merely players.
O mundo é um palco, e todos os homens e mulheres são meramente atores.
2. Something regarded as representing or symbolizing something else
The journey became a metaphor for personal growth.
A jornada tornou-se uma metáfora para o crescimento pessoal.
3. An imaginative use of language to describe something in a way that is not literally true
His writing is full of rich metaphors and vivid imagery.
Sua escrita está repleta de metáforas ricas e imagens vívidas.
Metaphor is a fundamental literary device in both English and Portuguese literary traditions. It is heavily emphasized in educational curricula in Brazil and the USA as a key element of creative writing and critical reading. Brazilian literature, particularly Modernist works, employs metaphors extensively as a way to express complex social and personal experiences.
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