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JLPT N112画 · 12 strokesradical 口

metaphor, compare

On'yomi (音読み)

Kun'yomi (訓読み)

  • たと.える
  • さと.す

Mnemonic

Imagine a mouth("口") using a metaphor to explain something complex, making it easier for everyone to understand and compare it with simpler ideas.

About this kanji

The kanji 「喩」 primarily means 'metaphor' or 'to compare.' It is often used as a noun, particularly in compounds related to different types of figurative language. For example, 「比喩」 (ひゆ) means 'simile,' while 「暗喩」 (あんゆ) translates to 'metaphor.' Another example is 「隠喩」 (いんゆ), which also refers to a metaphor. The kun'yomi readings of たと.える and さと.す can mean 'to illustrate' or 'to explain.' A useful note is that these compounds are often found in literature and everyday speech, helping to express complex ideas in a more relatable way.

Example sentences

  • この話は社会の喩えだと思う。

    I think this story is a metaphor for society.

Meanings across languages

English
metaphor, compare
Tiếng Việt
ẩn dụ
日本語
比喩
한국어
비유
中文
隐喻
id
metafora
th
อุปมาอุปไมย
es
metáfora
fr
métaphore
de
Metapher
pt
metáfora

Common compounds

  • 比喩ひゆsimile, metaphor, allegory
  • 暗喩あんゆmetaphor
  • 隠喩いんゆmetaphor
  • 直喩ちょくゆsimile
  • 諷喩ふうゆhint, insinuation, indirect suggestion
  • 換喩かんゆmetonymy
  • 引喩いんゆallusion
  • 提喩ていゆsynecdoche

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