Conceptual Metaphor
Version 1.0.0 · Updated 2026-07-30
CORE DEFINITION
Source domain: the familiar domain used for understanding. Target domain: the abstract domain that needs to be understood. Mapping: the systematic mapping of source domain structure onto the target domain. Scaffolding role: use the familiar to understand the unfamiliar, use the concrete to understand the abstract. For example, "time is money" uses money (source domain) to understand time (target domain). Metaphor is not just rhetoric, but a fundamental structure of thought. Related variants: conceptual metaphor mapping, conceptual mapping, conceptual mapping method, conceptual mapping matrix, conceptual mapping self-test.
SCAFFOLDING EFFECT
Reduce cognitive load
Use the familiar to understand the unfamiliar, use the concrete to understand the abstract. For example, "time is money" uses money (source domain) to understand time (target domain). Metaphor is not just rhetoric, but a fundamental structure of thought. Related variants: conceptual metaphor mapping, conceptual mapping, conceptual mapping method, conceptual mapping matrix, conceptual mapping self-test.
Anchor fast decisions
Lakoff and Johnson: Metaphor is not just rhetoric, but the foundation of thought—we use concrete domains (such as journey, container) to understand abstract domains (such as life, argument). The abstract relies on the concrete.
MINIMUM ACTION
In progress 0/3Practice this model in one real situation:
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Source support: Explicit
- zh.wikipedia.orghttps://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E6%A6%82%E5%BF%B5%E9%9A%90%E5%96%BBverified
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