metafóru

Metafóru is a figure of speech in which a term is applied to an object or concept to which it is not literally applicable, in order to suggest a likeness or to convey a particular quality. By equating distinct domains, metaphors illuminate unfamiliar ideas through familiar images and can shape meaning beyond literal language.

Metafóru can take several forms. A direct metaphor states a claim of equivalence, as in “Time is a thief.” An extended metaphor develops the comparison across a larger passage, as in a poem or speech. An implied metaphor suggests the comparison without explicit identification, and a dead or cliché metaphor has become so conventional that its force is diminished. Metaphors are common in everyday language, literature, science, and rhetoric, aiding memory, persuasion, and aesthetic impact. They can also introduce bias if relied on inappropriately or taken as literal truth.

The origin of metafóru lies in ancient rhetoric; the term ultimately derives from Greek roots meaning “to carry across” or “to transfer.” In literary history, metaphors have been used to transform ordinary perception into insight, as well as to convey complex emotions. In modern thought, cognitive linguistics emphasizes conceptual metaphors, arguing that many abstract ideas (such as argument, emotion, or morality) are structured by systematic metaphorical mappings in thought.

Related concepts include metonymy (a figure of speech based on contiguity rather than similarity), allegory, and personification. Metafóru remains a foundational tool for communication, interpretation, and creative expression across languages and cultures.