Figures of Speech (Tayutay) - Cheat Sheet
Your last-minute revision companion for mastering Figures of Speech in Filipino and English - essential for CSE Professional exam success
English Figures of Speech - Direct Comparisons
Important facts
- Simile ALWAYS uses comparison words (like, as, similar to, compared to)
- Metaphor makes direct claims without comparison words
- Both compare two essentially different things that share one quality
Key definitions
Simile
Example
As brave as a lion
Indirect comparison using 'like' or 'as' between two unlike things
Metaphor
Example
This house is a zoo
Direct comparison without using 'like' or 'as'
Diagrams to know
- Comparison structure diagrams showing simile vs metaphor patterns
English Figures of Speech - Human Qualities
Important facts
- Personification makes objects act like humans (emotions, actions, thoughts)
- Apostrophe uses direct address with 'O' or exclamation
- Both create emotional connection with non-human subjects
Key definitions
Personification
Example
The flowers nodded their heads cheerfully
Giving human qualities to non-human objects or ideas
Apostrophe
Example
Death, be not proud
Direct address to someone absent, dead, or inanimate
Diagrams to know
- Human quality transfer diagrams
English Figures of Speech - Exaggeration & Contradiction
Important facts
- Hyperbole is obvious exaggeration, not meant to be taken literally
- Oxymoron combines opposite words in same phrase
- Paradox seems contradictory but reveals deeper truth
Key definitions
Hyperbole
Example
My backpack weighs a ton
Intentional exaggeration for emphasis or comic effect
Oxymoron
Example
Sweet sorrow
Contradictory words paired together for complex meaning
Paradox
Example
This is the beginning of the end
Statement that appears to contradict itself
English Figures of Speech - Sound & Substitution
Important facts
- Onomatopoeia creates auditory imagery
- Synecdoche uses part-whole relationship
- Metonymy uses association relationship
- Euphemism softens harsh realities
Key definitions
Onomatopoeia
Example
The thunder went bang
Words that imitate the sound they represent
Synecdoche
Example
Nice wheels (car)
Part represents whole or whole represents part
Metonymy
Example
The White House announced (President announced)
Substituting closely associated term for actual thing
Euphemism
Example
Passed away (died)
Mild term substituting harsh or offensive term
Filipino Tayutay - Paghahambing (Comparison)
Important facts
- Pagtutulad uses comparison words (parang, tulad ng, gaya ng)
- Metafora directly assigns qualities without comparison words
- Pahambing uses specific prefixes (sim-, mag-, gaga-)
Key definitions
Simile/Pagtutulad
Example
Ang buhay ay parang gulong
Paghahambing gamit ang wangis, parang, tulad ng, gaya ng
Metafora/Pagwawangis
Example
Kayod kalabaw si tatay
Direktang paghahambing, walang salitang pangtulad
Pahambing
Example
Simputi ng puting rosas
Paghahambing gamit ang sim-, mag-, gaga-
Diagrams to know
- Tayutay classification tree showing comparison types
Filipino Tayutay - Pagbibigay ng Katangian
Important facts
- Padiwantao gives human emotions/actions to non-living things
- Pagmamalabis exaggerates for dramatic effect
- Pangitain presents imagination as reality
Key definitions
Padiwantao/Personification
Example
Sumasayaw ang mga dahon
Paglipat ng katangian ng tao sa walang buhay
Pagmamalabis/Hyperbole
Example
Dadanak ang dugo
Sobrang paglalarawan na lampas sa katotohanan
Pangitain/Vision
Example
Tayo na pangarap at galain ang di nakikitang pook
Pagsasalita sa nilalaman ng isip na parang totoo
Filipino Tayutay - Iba pang Uri
Important facts
- Panawagan addresses objects as if they were people
- Eupemismo replaces harsh words with gentler ones
- Balintunay says opposite of what is meant
- Pagpapalit-saklaw uses part to represent whole
Key definitions
Apostrope/Panawagan
Example
O tukso! layuan mo ako
Pagtawag sa bagay na parang tao, gumagamit ng 'O!'
Eupemismo
Example
Sumakabilang buhay (namatay)
Pampalubag loob na salita para sa matalas na salita
Balintunay/Irony
Example
Ang sarap ng sabaw, lasang tubig!
Kahulugan ay kabaligtaran ng sinasabi
Pagpapalit-saklaw/Synecdoche
Example
Libu-libong kaluluwa (tao)
Bahagi bilang katapat ng kabuuan
Must remember
- SIMILE always uses comparison words (like, as, parang, tulad ng) - METAPHOR never does
- PERSONIFICATION gives human qualities to non-human things
- HYPERBOLE is obvious exaggeration for effect, not literal truth
- OXYMORON combines contradictory terms in same phrase
- SYNECDOCHE uses part for whole or whole for part
- EUPHEMISM softens harsh or offensive language
- APOSTROPHE directly addresses absent/inanimate as if present/alive
- Filipino METAFORA = English METAPHOR (direct comparison)
- BALINTUNAY/IRONY says opposite of intended meaning
- PADIWANTAO = PERSONIFICATION in Filipino
Last minute tips
- Look for comparison words (like, as, parang) to identify similes quickly
- If objects are doing human things (crying, dancing, singing), it's personification
- Extreme statements that seem impossible are usually hyperbole
- When part of something represents the whole thing, think synecdoche
- If meaning seems opposite to what's literally said, consider irony
Comparison tables
Simile vs Metaphor (English & Filipino)
| Feature | Simile/Pagtutulad | Metaphor/Metafora |
|---|---|---|
| Comparison words | Uses like, as, parang, tulad ng | No comparison words |
| Directness | Indirect comparison | Direct comparison |
| Structure | A is like B | A is B |
| Example (English) | Brave as a lion | He is a lion |
| Example (Filipino) | Parang gulong ang buhay | Kayod kalabaw si tatay |
Personification Types
| Type | Characteristic | Example | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Human emotions | Emotions | Objects feel happy/sad | Flowers nodded cheerfully |
| Human actions | Actions | Objects perform human acts | Wind whispered secrets |
| Human speech | Speech | Objects talk/communicate | Trees told stories |
Diagrams
Complete Figures of Speech Classification
Complete classification of all figures of speech covered in both English and Filipino
Quick Identification Guide for Figures of Speech
Step-by-step decision tree to quickly identify the type of figure of speech
Most Common Figures of Speech in CSE Exams
Distribution showing which figures of speech appear most frequently in civil service examinations