literal

• Describe el significado exacto y básico de una palabra o frase, sin exageración ni metáfora. También se refiere a lo que se ajusta fielmente a algo, o a una interpretación o traducción palabra por palabra.

Describes the exact, primary meaning of a word or phrase, without exaggeration or metaphor.

1. Exact meaning of wordsB2formal

   Taking words in their usual or most basic sense without metaphor or exaggeration.

   Sentido literal

   • The literal meaning of 'break a leg' is not about injury.
   • She took his comment literally and felt offended.
   • In a literal sense, the sun rises in the east.

   Sinónimosactualdenotativeexactplainprecisesimplestricttrueverbatimword for word

   Antónimosfigurativeidiomaticmetaphorical

2. Word-for-word translationB2formal

   Following the original words exactly, without interpretation.

   Traducción palabra por palabra

   • A literal translation of the phrase sounds awkward in English.
   • The interpreter provided a literal rendering of the speech.
   • Literal translations often lose the cultural context.

   Sinónimosclosedirectexactfaithfulprecisestrictverbatimword for word

   Antónimosfreeidiomaticloose

3. Emphasizing truthB1informal

   Used to emphasize that something is actually true, even if it seems exaggerated.

   Para enfatizar la verdad

   • I was literally dying of laughter at the joke.
   • He literally ran a marathon without training.
   • The room was literally packed with people.

   Sinónimosactualgenuinerealtrueveritable

   Antónimosfigurativemetaphorical