Translation

比喩的な / 文字通りでない / 象徴的な

Meaning

Figurative means not literal, especially when words use metaphor, image, or exaggeration. A figurative meaning asks you to understand the idea behind the words. The trap is confusing figurative with figures or numerical data.

Examples

• 「時間は泥棒だ」は比喩的な表現です。
  Time is a thief is a figurative expression.
• 彼女が「爆発した」と言ったのは、比喩的な意味でした。
  When she said she exploded, she meant it in a figurative sense.