Metaphors are very common rhetorical figures, both in written and oral language, so much so that we use them countless times every day without realizing it.
Saying and understanding metaphors is not something too complicated, so this literary technique is not only suitable for adult understanding but also for children.
As proof of this below Let’s discover 20 metaphors for children and their meaning explained with reference to its real and imaginary elements.
20 metaphors for children ideal for learning, with explanation
Metaphors are rhetorical figures that we all use, both consciously and unconsciously. Essentially, these are linguistic resources in which a relationship of similarity is established between two terms or two concepts, and that both share some quality that allows such a comparison to be established. Thanks to this, these resources are widely used both in narrative literature and in poetry, since they allow language to be embellished by modifying the usual meaning that words have.
Metaphors consist of three parts: the real element, the imaginary element and the connection between the two The real element would refer to the true meaning of the metaphor; The imaginary element is that which is compared to the real element and the connection between the two would be that which both types of elements share.
For example, in the metaphor “has golden hair” we mean that someone has blonde hair. Therefore, the real element of this metaphor is “being blonde.” In this case, the imaginary element, that is, what is compared to the real element. The connection between both elements is that gold and blonde hair have a similar color.
The metaphors They allow children to be taught concepts that are difficult to understand , especially emotions such as loneliness or sadness that, although they undoubtedly understand them when they are the ones who feel them, sometimes it is difficult for them to see them in others. The reason for this has a lot to do with the way children tend to learn, which requires a lot of patience and giving examples, examples that are more creative and promote the imagination, the better.
Next We are going to see various metaphors for children, explaining what they refer to and what the connection is between the imaginary element and the real one As expected, 20 are not all the metaphors that we can generate in the Spanish language. The creation of metaphors is an activity that has no limits and we can do as many as we want, the following being a few examples that, of course, will allow us to explain certain concepts to the little ones.
1. Feeling like when the sky cries
When it rains, drops of water fall in a similar way to how our tears fall when we cry. This is a nice metaphor to say that we are sad and also useful since not all children find it easy to say clearly how they feel but it is more comfortable for them to use this type of metaphors.
2. Grandpa is a well of wisdom
Grandparents are people who have lived many years and, therefore, have learned a lot. The well is that place where we extract water, therefore is a source of this resource, in the same way that older people are sources of knowledge and wisdom
3. You and your father are two drops of water
The water droplets are practically the same. To say that two people are like two drops of water, that is to say that they are very similar, both physically and psychologically, whether in expressions, gestures, skin color or hair type. The metaphor of the two drops of water can be used to explain to children why they are so similar to their fathers, mothers and siblings
4. Time is worth gold
Gold is worth a lot, and so is time. This phrase helps them understand the importance of valuing time, of knowing how to occupy it both with useful activities and with what they like to do most. Boys and girls must understand and learn to value every minute of their lives, since they will not be repeated.
5. The sky is covered in cotton
This metaphor is one of the easiest to understand , since the similarity between white clouds and cotton is evident, especially if it is a day with a slightly clear sky. The clouds form capricious shapes like cotton fabric, stretching, becoming almost spherical, elongated…
A simple and poetic way to say that a person has a beautiful white smile. The teeth appear in the mouth like beautiful, shiny pearls on a bivalve, capturing our attention and leaving us briefly enthralled.
7. The girl made herself a butterfly
In this metaphor a girl is compared to a butterfly. The real meaning of the expression is that the girl grew up and became a young woman, just as caterpillars mature into butterflies.
8. The meadow was a bright green blanket
The meadow is a field of green grass, which in the morning can have drops of dew and be swayed by the soft wind as if it were a mantle of Manila.
9. Be in the prime of life
The meaning of this prayer is to find oneself in youth The plants grow until they form a flower that then withers. You could say that the plant is a flower in mid-life, as happens in human youth. First we are children and adolescents, very immature people. Then we mature and reach young adulthood, a time full of opportunities and options. We progressively become older, reaching old age, a period of withering.
10. His chest sounded like a drum
Here the real part is “chest” and the figurative part is “drum”. The person was so upset that his heart was beating very loudly, sounding like when someone beats a drum very often, loud and intense.
11. Two emeralds shone in his eyes
Emeralds are green. To say that a person has two emeralds in their eyes is to say that those eyes had green irises.
12. Your voice is music to my ears
With this expression we are not saying that someone is serenading us, but rather that their voice is as pleasant as the most delicate and soft melody.
13. That child is a beast
With the word beast we normally refer to wild, moody and bestial animals. Saying that someone is a beast comes to saying that the nature of that person is compared to that of wild animals indicating that he has a bad character.
14. The Sun at night
The Sun is a star that is only present during the day and is considered a unique entity, therefore, speaking of a night sun comes to refer to the Moon, its counterpart and also the celestial body that illuminates the night sky. As a curiosity, this metaphor is also an oxymoron, that is, a phrase that is complemented by something that is contradictory (when there is sun it is not night, night is the absence of the Sun).
Here the word “screw” is used in a figurative sense and comparing the human brain as if it were a machine, with various mechanisms that also have screws. When we say that someone loses a screw, we mean that his or her behavior is outside of what is normal for him or her, that is, as if the machine had short-circuited. Basically, it’s saying that someone has gone crazy, that their brain is starting to fail.
16. Being between a rock and a hard place
This phrase It is one of the most common metaphors and sayings in popular language It is used to imply that someone is in a situation that poses a dilemma, between two extremes of which it is difficult to know very well what to choose. Whatever you choose doesn’t give you options, it leaves you trapped in one way or another, like someone who literally finds themselves with a sword in front of them and a wall behind them. Either there is no escape or the decision you are going to make will inevitably have negative consequences.
17. Have your spirits on the floor
Let’s imagine that our moods are like energy and that our body is a big battery. If we are happy, spirits will be high, perhaps even through the roof. On the other hand, if spirits are low, the little energy we have will be found at the base of the pile, on the ground. Basically with this metaphor we say that someone is very sad and affected.
18. Steal a smile
The verb “steal” in its dictionary sense means to take something that is not ours, that does not belong to us. So how do you steal a smile? In this metaphor it is implied that one person has managed to make another smile, in an unexpected way, as often happens with robberies. Thefts occur without giving permission, and in this case we say that we have stolen someone’s smile when we have made them smile without them asking us.
19. Your friend is a big baby
In this expression the term “friend”, replaceable by any other word that refers to a person, is used in its literal sense while “baby” is the word that has the imaginary meaning. This phrase implies that someone, whether an older child, teenager, or even adult, behaves in a way that is inappropriate for their age acting too childish and immature.
20. Be a donkey
In this case the word “donkey” is used figuratively to indicate that someone, be it a child or adult, is not understanding anything that is being said to them or is very ignorant, forgetful and clumsy. Telling someone that they are an idiot is telling them that they are stupid, and can be used both offensively and mockingly.
