Metaphor and simile: differences and examples

The metaphor and the simile are rhetorical resources that serve to compare concepts, but one does so through a comparative link and the other does not. These are two terms that are often confused a lot in the Spanish Language, but it is important that you know how to differentiate between them in a text.

In this lesson from a PROFESSOR we are going to explain What are the differences between metaphor and simile? and what exactly each one is. In addition, we are going to give you some simple examples, so that you can understand this lesson to the fullest.

Index

1. what is a metaphor
2. what is a simile
3. Differences between metaphor and simile
4. Examples of metaphor and simile

A metaphor is a Figure of speech who uses the figurative meaning of words. Usually, the metaphor is used to refer to something, but without naming it directly.

• For example: "From today I'm going to have you under the magnifying glass." This metaphor refers to the fact that he is going to keep an eye on the subject and the literal phrase could be similar to this: "From today I am going to keep an eye on you."
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The metaphor is a resource widely used in literature, especially in the field of poetry, but also in colloquial speech. It serves to give a different meaning to words than they would have if we read them literally. The metaphor can have an aesthetic purpose, that is, be used to embellish a sentence, so that it is more poetic; but can also have ironic, comic, surprise function, etc..

• For example: "Let's go to work because time is money." This sentence could be translated as: "Let's go to work, time is precious." But at no time is he referring to the fact that time has the same color as gold or the same texture.

metaphors are capable of relate two different capos They are similar in some specific way. To better understand this topic, we advise you to read these other lessons on Metaphor - Meaning and Examples and types of metaphors.

The simile is a Figure of speech which is also known as "comparison". This is used to keep a relationship between a real concept and an imaginary one.

• For example: "Your ex-girlfriend was cold as an iceberg." This sentence refers to the fact that his ex-girlfriend was very cold and compares this adjective with an object that is characterized by being very cold, in this case an iceberg.

It is a very easy element to identify, since the two elements that are compared will always be named and will have in the middle a comparative nexus. In general, these comparative links are usually the following: like, which, the same as, similar to, so, etc. Here you can learn more about the Links to join sentences - examples.

In the literature, this figure is used to raise something everyday and make it have a higher aesthetic beauty or a stronger impact on the reader. In spoken language we also use a large number of similes to make ourselves understood and capture the attention of our listeners.

• For example: "My heart is open to you like a treasure." It's a nice way of saying that I give you everything that's inside my heart, and it also makes a deeper impact on the person reading the sentence.

Similes can also acquire a humorous tone and sarcastic, loaded with irony.

• For example: "Don't run anymore, you're sweating like a false witness."

We advise you to take a look at this other lesson on Comparison or simile: definition and examples.

Although these two figures of speech may seem very similar at first glance, there are some differences that will help us to identify if we are facing a metaphor or a simile:

• The simile compares the meaning of two things that have one characteristic in common, while the metaphor directly substitutes one for the other.
• In the simile it is clearly seen how one concept is being compared with the other, while the metaphor discards the real element to stay only with the fictitious one.
• The simile will always be a comparison, in the metaphor it is understood when phrases are used in a figurative sense.
• The simile is very easy to understand, while the metaphor needs more knowledge than what is replaced to be understood.
• While the simile links the two concepts being compared with a nexus, the metaphor does not use any union.

we leave you with some examples of metaphors and similes, so you can see how they work within a specific context.

• His hands, soft and beautiful as velvet. (Simile)
• Yellow curls like gold. (Simile)
• They still didn't move, still as statues. (Simile)
• The subtle worlds, like soap bubbles. (Simile)
• Eat like a lime. (Simile)
• Dangerous as a stormy sea. (Simile)
• Gifts rained down on me at that party. (Metaphor)
• That place is a paradise. (Metaphor)
• Your voice is music to my ears. (Metaphor)
• There is a long way to go for your wedding. (Metaphor)
• It's in the clouds. (Metaphor)
• He is so nervous that he climbs the walls. (Metaphor)

We hope this lesson on differences between metaphor and simile It may have helped you to learn a little more of the Spanish language. If you are interested in continuing to learn more about this topic, do not hesitate to consult our section on literary concepts. In addition, we encourage you to discover in this other lesson What are rhetorical figures, among which we find the metaphor.

If you want to read more articles similar to Metaphor and simile differences and examples, we recommend that you enter our category of literary concepts.

• Bobes, C. (2004). The metaphor. Madrid: Gredos.
• Gutierrez, R. (2009). Some considerations on the simile of the line. Earring, 21(1), 123-142.

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