Stage 3 · A2
Literal and figurative meaning
Literal and figurative meaning: progressive explanation, topic-specific examples, guided exercises and a corrected assessment.
1. Objective
By the end, you will recognise and use “Literal and figurative meaning” correctly.
2. Discover
Compare: une porte ouverte / un esprit ouvert; un cœur lourd / une valise lourde; brûler du bois / brûler d’envie; prendre la route / prendre une décision. Which clue helps you recognise sens propre et figuré?
3. Understand
To understand “Literal and figurative meaning”, start from the examples rather than an abstract definition. Do not memorise the word alone. Notice what it combines with and where you could use it.
Look at the word together with the words around it. The correct choice often depends on construction, register or collocation, not just translation.
4. Guided practice
5. Independent practice
6. Write / speak
Create two personal examples with “Literal and figurative meaning”: one close to the model and one from your own day.
7. Check your learning
8. Remember
For sens propre et figuré, identify the context first, then the form carrying the useful information. Always check your answer in a complete sentence.
9. Now I can…
- I can recognise “Literal and figurative meaning” in a new example.
- I can justify my choice and create an example.
