比喻 bǐyù to compare
to compare; to liken to; metaphor; analogy; figure of speech; figuratively
How to remember 比喻: 比 compare + 喻 metaphor = to compare.
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How it is used
- A metaphor/analogy, and 'to liken to' - 用…来比喻… (yòng…lái bǐyù…) to use X as a metaphor for Y.
- 比喻 covers figurative comparison broadly; 打个比方 (dǎ ge bǐfang) is the spoken 'let me give an analogy.'
- As an adverb 'figuratively': 比喻性的说法 a figurative expression.
- In rhetoric it's a named figure of speech, contrasted with 夸张 (exaggeration), 拟人 (personification).