How to Say "metaphor" in Spanish
The Spanish word for “metaphor” is “metáfora” — B1 level. This is a very common word in everyday Spanish.
Examples
Decir que sus cabellos son de oro es una metáfora.
Saying her hair is made of gold is a metaphor.
El autor utiliza el invierno como una metáfora de la vejez.
The author uses winter as a metaphor for old age.
No lo digas de forma literal, usa una metáfora.
Don't say it literally, use a metaphor.
It's always feminine
Even though many Spanish words ending in '-a' that come from Greek are masculine (like 'el problema'), 'metáfora' follows the regular rule and is feminine: 'la metáfora'.
Connecting with 'de'
When you want to say something is a metaphor 'for' something, use 'de' in Spanish: 'una metáfora de la soledad' (a metaphor for loneliness).
Gender confusion
Mistake: “El metáfora es muy bonita.”
Correction: La metáfora es muy bonita. Because it ends in 'a' and is feminine, you must use 'la'.
Confusing with Simile
Mistake: “Using 'como' (like) inside a metaphor.”
Correction: A metaphor says something IS something else ('tus ojos son sol'); if you use 'como' ('tus ojos son como el sol'), it's technically a 'símil'.
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