Speaking: Vocabulary for Speaking C1 - Lesson 3: Understanding & Using Figurative Language (Metaphors)

C1

Figurative Language

ការប្រើប្រាស់ភាសាធៀប

🎯 Objective / គោលបំណង:

Move from literal speech to "painting with words" using conceptual metaphors.

💬 Scenario: Project Update

Manager (Literal / B2) "The project is difficult. We have too much work and not enough time. We might fail."

You (Figurative / C1) "We're drowning in work right now. It's really an uphill battle."

You (Figurative / C1) "If we don't fix the schedule, we're skating on thin ice."

Metaphorical Themes

Native speakers group metaphors by concept. Learn the theme, not just the word.

Theme 1: Business is War សង្គ្រាម

We use military terms for business strategy.

Literal:
"Try to get the market."

Metaphor:
"Capture / Target / Defend"

• "We need to target a new demographic."
• "They are defending their market share."

Theme 2: Problems are Barriers ឧបសគ្គ

We view difficulties as physical objects blocking a path.

Literal:
"We have a problem."

Metaphor:
"Roadblock / Hurdle / Ceiling"

• "We hit a roadblock with the funding."
• "She broke the glass ceiling."

Theme 3: Progress is a Journey ការធ្វើដំណើរ

Moving forward in a project is like traveling.

• "We're on the right track."
• "It should be smooth sailing from here."
• "Let's get this show on the road."

Make it Vivid

Literal: "The negotiation was very difficult."

Choose the best C1 metaphor:

A. "The negotiation was hard."

B. "It was a real tug-of-war."

C. "The negotiation was not easy."

Literal: "We have too much information to process."

Choose the best C1 metaphor:

A. "We are swimming in data."

B. "The data is very big."