figurative
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figurative
Used figuratively and not to be understood in its original, literal sense.
Das Wort „Baustelle“ bezeichnet im übertragenen Sinn auch ein ungelöstes Problem.
The word “Baustelle” (construction site) also refers, figuratively, to an unresolved problem.
| basic form | übertragen |
|---|
| masc. | fem. | neut. | plural | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| nom. | -e | -e | -e | -en |
| acc. | -en | -e | -e | -en |
| dat. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
| gen. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
Add the ending to übertragen.
| masc. | fem. | neut. | plural | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| nom. | -er | -e | -es | -en |
| acc. | -en | -e | -es | -en |
| dat. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
| gen. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
Add the ending to übertragen.
| masc. | fem. | neut. | plural | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| nom. | -er | -e | -es | -e |
| acc. | -en | -e | -es | -e |
| dat. | -em | -er | -em | -en |
| gen. | -en | -er | -en | -er |
Add the ending to übertragen.
The word most commonly appears in the fixed expression “im übertragenen Sinn” (figuratively speaking). The form “im übertragenen Sinne” is also common; the expression often refers to an entire statement.
Mit dieser Entscheidung hat sie im übertragenen Sinn eine Tür geöffnet.
With this decision, she has figuratively opened a door.
“übertragen gemeint sein” (to be meant figuratively) can be used to explain how a statement is meant to be understood. This construction with “das” often refers to something that was said earlier.
Wenn ich von einem Berg von Arbeit spreche, ist das übertragen gemeint.
When I speak of a mountain of work, I mean it figuratively.
This use of “übertragen” (figurative) is typical of explanations about language, such as in lessons or dictionaries. Common collocations are “übertragene Bedeutung” (figurative meaning) and “übertragener Gebrauch” (figurative usage).
Im Unterricht besprechen wir die übertragene Bedeutung des Ausdrucks „kalte Füße bekommen“.
In class, we discuss the figurative meaning of the expression “kalte Füße bekommen” (to get cold feet).
