Examples of using "Literal" in a sentence and their english translations:
Don't take it too literal.
He was speaking literally –
"Literally" can literally mean "metaphorically". "Literal" meaning "metaphorical" is also a literal irony.
He explained the literal meaning of the sentence.
She explained the literal meaning of the phrase.
Broken hearts are literally and figuratively deadly.
He explained the literal meaning of the phrase.
He explained the literal meaning of the sentence.
Should this be understood in something other than the literal sense?
So in the literal way, men rule the world,
We know it's difficult, but please don't translate literally.
The problem with fundamentalists insisting on a literal interpretation of the Bible is that the meaning of words change. A prime example is 'Spare the rod, spoil the child'. A rod was a stick used by shepherds to guide their sheep to go in the desired direction. Shepherds did not use it to beat their sheep. The proper translation of the saying is 'Give your child guidance, or they will go astray.' It does not mean 'Beat the shit out of your child or he will become rotten', as many fundamentalist parents seem to believe.