metaphorical
Loading your saved state.
metaphorical
In a figurative sense; not to be understood literally, but used as a linguistic image (metaphor).
Wenn man vom „Herz einer Stadt“ spricht, ist das metaphorisch gemeint.
When people speak of the 'heart of a city,' it is meant metaphorically.
'Metaphorisch' (metaphorical) is the adjective formed from the noun 'die Metapher' (metaphor). A metaphor is a linguistic image that has a figurative meaning.
Der Ausdruck „Datenflut“ ist eine bekannte Metapher für eine große Menge an Informationen.
The expression 'Datenflut' (flood of data) is a well-known metaphor for a large amount of information.
The word is very often used as an adverb to comment on an expression. Typical phrases are 'metaphorisch gesprochen' (metaphorically speaking), 'metaphorisch gemeint' (meant metaphorically), or 'etwas metaphorisch verstehen' (to understand something metaphorically).
Die Chefin sagte, wir sitzen alle im selben Boot. Das war natürlich metaphorisch gemeint.
The boss said we are all in the same boat. Of course, that was meant metaphorically.
'Metaphorisch' (metaphorically) is often combined with verbs of saying and understanding. You can 'metaphorisch ausdrücken' (express metaphorically), 'meinen' (mean), 'verstehen' (understand), or 'interpretieren' (interpret) something.
Man kann seine Aussage auch metaphorisch interpretieren.
One can also interpret his statement metaphorically.
to transmit / transfer
Both expressions can show that a statement is not meant literally. „Übertragen“ generally refers to a meaning carried over or shifted from another context, while „metaphorisch“ more specifically points to a linguistic image. Use „metaphorisch“ when a metaphor is explicitly intended.
Die Brücke zwischen den Ideen ist metaphorisch gemeint.
The bridge between the ideas is meant metaphorically.
Das Wort „Brücke“ wird hier übertragen gebraucht und bezeichnet eine Verbindung zwischen Ideen.
The word “Brücke” is used in an übertragen sense here and refers to a connection between ideas.
