Interpreting figurative language

Practice this topic in Chinese: Interpreting figurative language.

Understand and learn

Work from a natural example to useful language, one small pattern, a spoken attempt, and a response that is relevant to your life.

小雨

说话者说“这座桥早已有了裂缝”时，并不是在描述实体建筑。

When the speaker says “the bridge was already cracked,” they are not describing a physical structure.

马克

这个比喻把信任描绘成一种在明显冲突前就已受损的连接。

The metaphor presents trust as a connection damaged before the visible conflict.

小雨

这个意象既体现脆弱性，也暗示修复的可能。

The image adds fragility and also the possibility of repair.

马克

直译或许能保留意象，却可能失去文化联想。

Translating it literally might preserve the image but lose the cultural association.

Understand a natural example and learn a small set of useful words, phrases, and patterns.

These items were selected by the lesson curriculum for practical use—not extracted as an every-word list.

说话者说“这座桥早已有了裂缝”时，并不是在描述实体建筑。
When the speaker says “the bridge was already cracked,” they are not describing a physical structure.
说话者说“这座桥早已有了裂缝”时，并不是在描述实体建筑。
这个比喻把信任描绘成一种在明显冲突前就已受损的连接。
The metaphor presents trust as a connection damaged before the visible conflict.
这个比喻把信任描绘成一种在明显冲突前就已受损的连接。
这个意象既体现脆弱性，也暗示修复的可能。
The image adds fragility and also the possibility of repair.
这个意象既体现脆弱性，也暗示修复的可能。
直译或许能保留意象，却可能失去文化联想。
Translating it literally might preserve the image but lose the cultural association.
直译或许能保留意象，却可能失去文化联想。
我会寻找意义相当的表达，而不是逐字对应。
I would look for an equivalent expression rather than a word-for-word match.
我会寻找意义相当的表达，而不是逐字对应。

Which Chinese sentence has this meaning: “When the speaker says “the bridge was already cracked,” they are not describing a physical structure.”

说话者说“这座桥早已有了裂缝”时，并不是在描述实体建筑。这个比喻把信任描绘成一种在明显冲突前就已受损的连接。这个意象既体现脆弱性，也暗示修复的可能。直译或许能保留意象，却可能失去文化联想。

Say the five Chinese turns aloud, then connect two of them naturally.

Change one detail so the message is true for your own life or opinion.

Use it with someone