metaphors we live by

扎扎。

After reading this chapter, I was amazed by how metaphor is not just a poetic tool but a core part of how we think and speak. The idea that metaphors like “THEORIES ARE BUILDINGS” shape not only our language but also our understanding really opened my mind. I used to think expressions such as “a strong argument” or “the foundation of a theory” were just normal phrases. Now I see that they reflect a deep metaphorical system. As an English learner, this insight helps me better grasp why native speakers use certain phrases—because these metaphors are part of their thought system.

I’m also inspired by how the book differentiates between “used” and “unused” parts of a metaphor. It encourages me to be more creative in my language use. For example, instead of saying “a solid theory,” maybe I could try something imaginative like “his theory is a castle with hidden rooms.” This makes English not only a language to learn, but a playground for ideas. The line between literal and figurative is thinner than I thought, and learning metaphorical thinking helps me go beyond memorizing vocabulary—into truly understanding and using English.