Periphrase is a figure of speech in Portuguese, used to represent the using an expression or phrase that indirectly matches a particular name or word.
In the classification of figures of speech, the periphrase is considered a “word figure”. It consists of using many words or a complex phrase to refer to something that could be said simply. The periphrase is an example of “doing rounds”, that is, not being direct and objective.
Normally, the periphrase is formed by an expression that brings together characteristics or qualities that describe the word that the speaker wants to refer to.
Example: “The city of light is beautiful”, in this case, the so-called “city of light” is a reference to Paris.
By default, periphrases are used to avoid the constant repetition of certain words in a text or in close sentences, for example.
The periphrase can also be a linguistic tool to magnify something or someone, as well as making a negative comment in an indirect and less crude way. In this case, however, the periphrase is euphemism-related.
See also: the meaning of Euphemism.
In the grammar of the Portuguese language there is the call verbal periphrase, which consists of the linguistic construction that replaces simple verbs with verbal phrases.
Example: “Let's do it” = “We'll do it” / “Let's do it” = “We'll do it”.
Periphrasis and Antonomasia
The only difference between the two is that antonomasia is usually used to refer to proper names, that is, in the replacement of these by expressions that are formed by common nouns.
Examples: “Poet of Slaves” = Castro Alves; “Divine Master” = Jesus Christ; “Queen of the Shorts” = Xuxa; and etc.
Examples of periphrase and antonomasia
“We went to the zoo and saw the king of the jungle” = “We went to the zoo and saw a lion”.
“I live in the country of football” = “I live in Brazil”.
“I was born in the wonderful city” = “I was born in Rio de Janeiro”.
“I'm going to spend my holidays in the city of light” = “I'm going to spend my holidays in Paris”.
“My favorite animal is man's best friend” = “My favorite animal is the dog”.
“My parents were born in the land of drizzle” = “My parents were born in São Paulo”.
It is noteworthy that the periphrase is only effective when the recipient of the message has some knowledge about the characteristics or qualities of the “hidden” word.
Learn more about meaning of Figures of Language.