Figures of speech (修辞)are ways of making our language figurative. When we use words in other than their ordinary or literal sense to lend force to an idea, to heighten effect, or to create suggestive imagery, we are said to be speaking or writing figuratively. Now we are going to talk about some common forms of figures of speech. 修辞是提高语言表达效果的语言艺术。它能使语言生动形象、具体活泼，给人以美的享受。

 

1)Simile：(明喻）It is a figure of speech which makes a comparison between two unlike elements having at  least one quality or characteristic (特性)in common. To make the comparison, words like as, as...as, as if and like are used to transfer the quality we associate with one to the other.

Simile 与汉语的明喻基本相同，用某一事物或情境来比拟另一个事物或情境。其本体和喻体均同时出现在句中，在形式上是相对应的。英语  simile  的标志词常用 like, as, seem, as if, as though, similar to, such as等. 汉语明喻的比喻词通常是"好象"、"仿佛"等。例如： 

As busy as a bee

As happy as a clam (at hightide)

Like a cat on hot bricks热锅上的蚂蚁

To spend money like water挥金如土

  They are like streetcars running contentedly on their rails. 

   这些人犹如街上的有轨电车，  满足于在自己的轨道上运行。   

 

2)Metaphor：(暗喻）It is like a simile, also makes a comparison between two unlike elements, but unlike a simile, this comparison is implied rather than stated. 隐喻是简缩了的明喻,是将某一事物的名称用于另一事物,通过比较形成.（no indicator of resemblance）

For example, the world is a stage.

Speech is silver, silence is gold.

Union is strength.

 Experience is the mother of wisdom.  经验为智慧之母。

3)Analogy: (类比,借喻）It is also a form of comparison, but unlike simile or metaphor which usually uses comparison on one point of resemblance, analogy draws a parallel between two unlike things that have several common qualities or points of resemblance. 根本不说出本体（tenor），或不在本句子中说出来，而把喻体(vehicle)直接用在本体应该出现的地方。

Figures of speech (修辞)are ways of making our language figurative. When we use words in other than their ordinary or literal sense to lend force to an idea, to heighten effect, or to create suggestive imagery, we are said to be speaking or writing figuratively. Now we are going to talk about some common forms of figures of speech. 修辞是提高语言表达效果的语言艺术。它能使语言生动形象、具体活泼，给人以美的享受。

 

1)Simile：(明喻）It is a figure of speech which makes a comparison between two unlike elements having at  least one quality or characteristic (特性)in common. To make the comparison, words like as, as...as, as if and like are used to transfer the quality we associate with one to the other.

Simile 与汉语的明喻基本相同，用某一事物或情境来比拟另一个事物或情境。其本体和喻体均同时出现在句中，在形式上是相对应的。英语  simile  的标志词常用 like, as, seem, as if, as though, similar to, such as等. 汉语明喻的比喻词通常是"好象"、"仿佛"等。例如： 

As busy as a bee

As happy as a clam (at hightide)

Like a cat on hot bricks热锅上的蚂蚁

To spend money like water挥金如土

  They are like streetcars running contentedly on their rails. 

   这些人犹如街上的有轨电车，  满足于在自己的轨道上运行。   

 

2)Metaphor：(暗喻）It is like a simile, also makes a comparison between two unlike elements, but unlike a simile, this comparison is implied rather than stated. 隐喻是简缩了的明喻,是将某一事物的名称用于另一事物,通过比较形成.（no indicator of resemblance）

For example, the world is a stage.

Speech is silver, silence is gold.

Union is strength.

 Experience is the mother of wisdom.  经验为智慧之母。

3)Analogy: (类比,借喻）It is also a form of comparison, but unlike simile or metaphor which usually uses comparison on one point of resemblance, analogy draws a parallel between two unlike things that have several common qualities or points of resemblance. 根本不说出本体（tenor），或不在本句子中说出来，而把喻体(vehicle)直接用在本体应该出现的地方。