Denotation

Content

• Denotation examples

The denotation (from the verb "denote") indicates a meaning that is objective and whose meaning is explicitly expressed.

It is the opposite of connotation, which refers to those expressions that have a figurative or a double meaning.

While denotation is interpreted in the same way for all receivers, connotation requires interpretation: each receiver can make their own reading of it because it is a symbolic meaning.

See also:

• Denotative language
• Connotation and denotation

Denotation examples

Below will be presented a series of denoting sentences and they will be contrasted with others that contain some of their words, but with a tone connotative:

1. Dog Cat. DENOTATION: My cousins ​​adopted a dog they found on the street, I prefer cats because they are more independent pets. / CONNOTATION: Juan and María get along like cat and dog, they will surely get divorced. (They get along very badly)
2. Fish. DENOTATION: I would love to get a tropical fish to put in my new tank / CONNOTATION: Acting is his forte. Every time he takes the stage, he handles himself like a fish in water. (He handles himself with ease)
3. Pearls DENOTATION: For her 80th birthday we are giving her a beautiful pearl necklace. / CONNOTATION: When he smiled it seemed that a row of pearls was peeking out of his mouth. (His teeth are white)
4. Gold. DENOTATION: For my birthday I'm going to wear a white gold ring / CONNOTATION: Her golden laughs shone every time she went out to the garden ”(Her hair is blonde)
5. Light. DENOTATION: When you leave, don't forget to turn off the light please / CONNOTATION: That girl is a light, always responds before the rest and correctly. (He is a very intelligent person)
6. Tomatoes. DENOTATION: I brought fresh tomatoes from the fifth to make a nice salad / CONNOTATION: I don't like to ask that teacher anything, she always goes to the tomato side. (Talk about anything)
7. Fried. DENOTATION: Fried chicken is very heavy for me, I prefer it roasted or baked / CONNOTATION: He sat on the couch and was fried; I hadn't slept well for days. (Fell fast asleep)
8. Dolphin. DENOTATION: In the show we saw in the aquarium there was a dolphin named Flipper. / CONNOTATION: For the next elections they want to nominate a dolphin of the current president (He is a very faithful and close person)
9. Raindrops. DENOTATION: Water drops are falling from the ceiling. There must be a leak / They are twins, that's why they look like two drops of water. (They are very similar people physically)
10. Illuminated. DENOTATION: It seems to me that the stage is not sufficiently illuminated for the play. / CONNOTATION: He is enlightened, everyone knows it and that is why he comes to ask for advice. (He is a wise person)
11. Sol. DENOTATION: I like this room because the sun shines in the morning. / CONNOTATION: That girl is a sun. I'm going to ask her to marry me. (He is a person who turns out to be a source of joy for others).
12. Lion. DENOTATION: In the zoo there is a lion that they brought from the African savannah. / CONNOTATION: He fought like a lion, he deserves it. (He fought hard for something)
13. Snowflake. DENOTATION: For my art work I want to draw a cold landscape, full of snowflakes. / CONNOTATION: His head was like a snowflake: he had aged suddenly. (The person was full of gray hair)
14. Flower. DENOTATION: For the anniversary he gave her a beautiful bouquet of flowers. / CONNOTATION: She was the cutest flower in the whole place. (She is a beautiful woman)
15. Heart. DENOTATION: In the exam they asked me the main characteristics of the heart. / CONNOTATION: With what he said broke my heart. (Was moved)
16. Pork. DENOTATION: On his grandfather's farm he has many animals, but the one I liked the most was the pig. / CONNOTATION: He was starving, he ate like a pig. (Ate a lot)
17. Vultures DENOTATION: No, there are no vultures in this area. / CONNOTATION: Those guys are real vultures when they go dancing. (They try to seduce girls)
18. Scene. DENOTATION: The scene that I liked the most is the final one. / CONNOTATION: My girlfriend is crazy, she made me a scene in front of all my friends. (He made a scandal or an exaggerated reproach)
19. Salmon. DENOTATION: The dishes I like the most are those prepared with salmon. / CONNOTATION: It is like a salmon, it always goes against everything. (Swim against the current)
20. Clown. DENOTATION: In the circus there is a very funny clown. / CONNOTATION: Sometimes Pedro behaves like a clown at the most inopportune moments. (He plays funny)