Figurative speech

Last updated: Dec. 22, 2025

Metaphors

Are used:

  • hogot lulong heleb mandonggyam
    “we've been (like) cassowaries and pigs going around”
  • ig me mut peg hutam his lobogot. Nom skul
    “our one light has come. It is school”

Euphamisim

Is used for sex:

  • Mohis nom wogonongg mandeb
    "walking with the guys"

Litotes

Understating is used:

  • Eng hobol hebigondo tandengg, endet aminim ogom ege anggom.
    "So my little short story, like that I wanted to speak and spoke."

Rhetorical questions

Are used for imperatives:

  • Yagamayam ig o?
    “Are you going? Are you?”
  • Miginggima ig o?
    “Are you hearing?”

Metonomy

  • In Jesus' name is known from lotu.

Synechdoche

  • Ig wog hebegene nom salamb
    "We followed their mouth (advice)"
  • Sibelig mee mee nom tobot
    "so machete things (threats) they came"

Personification

  • Eng abagam om mu hoyom haga.
    “My heart is not wise.”

Apostrophe

  • Dramat addressed the rain.

Idioms

Are used. See Idioms

Not seen:

Irony, hyperbole (examples given are probably just description), sarcasm, proverbs