A comprehensive overview of figurative language in Spanish, including key types like metaphors, similes, personification, hyperbole, and more, with examples and explanations.
Figurative language in Spanish includes various types such as metaphors, similes, personification, hyperbole, idioms, and proverbs. These devices enhance expression by conveying meanings beyond the literal level, adding color and depth to communication.
Metaphors
A metaphor in Spanish describes one thing as if it were another, creating a direct comparison without using “like” or “as.” It helps express ideas more vividly by linking unrelated concepts.
| Spanish Metaphor | English Metaphor | Spanish Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| “La vida es un viaje.” | “Life is a journey.” | La vida es un viaje lleno de sorpresas. | Life is a journey full of surprises. |
| “Eres una estrella.” | “You are a star.” | Eres una estrella en el escenario. | You are a star on the stage. |
| “El tiempo es oro.” | “Time is gold.” | No desperdicies el tiempo, porque el tiempo es oro. | Don’t waste time, because time is gold. |
| “Sus ojos son dos luceros.” | “Her eyes are two bright stars.” | Sus ojos son dos luceros en la oscuridad. | Her eyes are two bright stars in the dark. |
| “El mundo es un pañuelo.” | “The world is a handkerchief.” | No te preocupes, el mundo es un pañuelo. | Don’t worry, it’s a small world. |
What does the Spanish metaphor 'Eres una estrella' mean?
You are a star.
'Eres una estrella' means 'You are a star.' It is a metaphor praising someone's brightness or talent, unlike the other options which are unrelated.
Similes
A simile in Spanish compares two things using “como” (like/as) or “igual que” (just like). It makes descriptions more relatable by highlighting similarities explicitly.
| Spanish Simile | English Simile | Spanish Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| “rápido como un rayo” | “fast as lightning” | Corre rápido como un rayo. | He runs fast as lightning. |
| “fuerte como un toro” | “strong as a bull” | Es fuerte como un toro. | He is strong as a bull. |
| “valiente como un león” | “brave as a lion” | Es valiente como un león. | She is brave as a lion. |
| “frío como el hielo” | “cold as ice” | Su mirada es fría como el hielo. | Her gaze is cold as ice. |
| “suave como una pluma” | “soft as a feather” | Su voz es suave como una pluma. | Her voice is soft as a feather. |
Which Spanish simile means 'brave as a lion'?
valiente como un león
'valiente como un león' translates to 'brave as a lion.' The others mean 'strong as a bull,' 'fast as lightning,' and 'cold as ice,' respectively.
Personification
Personification (or “prosopopeya”) gives human characteristics to animals, objects, or ideas. It brings inanimate things to life, making descriptions more dynamic and imaginative.
| Spanish Personification | English Personification | Spanish Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| “El viento susurra” | “The wind whispers” | El viento susurra entre los árboles. | The wind whispers among the trees. |
| “La ciudad no duerme” | “The city doesn’t sleep” | La ciudad no duerme ni un momento. | The city doesn’t sleep a moment. |
| “Las estrellas bailan” | “The stars dance” | Las estrellas bailan en el cielo nocturno. | The stars dance in the night sky. |
| “El tiempo vuela” | “Time flies” | El tiempo vuela cuando estás feliz. | Time flies when you’re happy. |
| “La luna sonríe” | “The moon smiles” | La luna sonríe sobre el océano. | The moon smiles over the ocean. |
Hyperbole
Hyperbole is an intentional exaggeration used for emphasis or humor. In Spanish, it intensifies statements to make them more dramatic or memorable.
| Spanish Hyperbole | English Hyperbole | Spanish Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| “Tengo un millón de cosas que hacer.” | “I have a million things to do.” | Tengo un millón de cosas que hacer hoy. | I have a million things to do today. |
| “Te he llamado mil veces.” | “I’ve called you a thousand times.” | Te he llamado mil veces y no respondes. | I’ve called you a thousand times and you don’t answer. |
| “Estoy tan cansado que podría dormir por un año.” | “I’m so tired I could sleep for a year.” | Estoy tan cansado que podría dormir por un año. | I’m so tired I could sleep for a year. |
| “Llueve a cántaros.” | “It’s raining buckets.” | Hoy llueve a cántaros en la ciudad. | Today it’s raining buckets in the city. |
| “Comí un elefante entero.” | “I ate a whole elephant.” | Comí un elefante entero en la cena. | I ate a whole elephant at dinner. |
Idioms
Idioms (“modismos”) are fixed expressions whose meanings aren’t literal. Spanish idioms often use vivid imagery and appear across all regions with slight variations.
| Spanish Idiom | English Idiom | Spanish Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| “Estar en las nubes” | “Have your head in the clouds” | Siempre está en las nubes durante clase. | She always has her head in the clouds during class. |
| “Tirar la toalla” | “Throw in the towel” | Después de tantos intentos, decidió tirar la toalla. | After so many tries, he decided to throw in the towel. |
| “Costar un ojo de la cara” | “Cost an arm and a leg” | Ese coche nuevo cuesta un ojo de la cara. | That new car costs an arm and a leg. |
| “Ser pan comido” | “Be a piece of cake” | El examen fue pan comido. | The exam was a piece of cake. |
| “Llover a cántaros” | “Rain cats and dogs” | Hoy está lloviendo a cántaros. | It’s raining cats and dogs today. |
Proverbs
Proverbs (“refranes”) are traditional sayings that express wisdom or common truths. Spanish proverbs often use metaphorical language and appear in everyday conversation.
| Spanish Proverb | English Proverb | Spanish Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| “Más vale tarde que nunca.” | “Better late than never.” | Llegó tarde, pero más vale tarde que nunca. | She arrived late, but better late than never. |
| “A quien madruga, Dios le ayuda.” | “God helps those who rise early.” | A quien madruga, Dios le ayuda. | God helps those who rise early. |
| “Ojo por ojo, diente por diente.” | “An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.” | La venganza sigue la regla de ojo por ojo, diente por diente. | Revenge follows the rule of an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth. |
| “No hay mal que por bien no venga.” | “Every cloud has a silver lining.” | No te preocupes, no hay mal que por bien no venga. | Don’t worry; every cloud has a silver lining. |
| “El que calla, otorga.” | “Silence gives consent.” | En la discusión, él no dijo nada; el que calla, otorga. | In the argument, he said nothing; silence gives consent. |
Conclusion
Spanish figurative language spans metaphors, similes, personification, hyperbole, idioms, and proverbs. Mastering these devices deepens understanding and enriches expression, bringing more nuance and color to Spanish communication.
Flashcards (1 of 30)
- English Metaphor: “Life is a journey.”
- English Example: Life is a journey full of surprises.
Last updated: Thu Jun 12, 2025
