"verbal irony"的定义和意义

What is "verbal irony"?

Verbal irony occurs when a speaker says something but means the opposite, often to emphasize a point or create a humorous effect. This type of irony relies on the contrast between what is said and what is actually meant. For example, if someone looks out the window on a rainy day and says, "What a beautiful day", they are using verbal irony because the statement contradicts the actual weather conditions. Verbal irony is often used to express sarcasm, highlight discrepancies, or add layers of meaning to a statement.