Componential analysis (CA) is a means by which an accurate account of sense relations, that holds among lexemes, can be given. This technique is met with contentions by some, but on the whole it is a valid and substantiated technique. It accounts for sense relations making it of great use for studies based on these relations, and this means that CA has different uses. This technique is utilized in this article as a means to interpret metaphors of universal nature and translate them in English and Arabic. Being based on the existence of universals and cultural overlaps, CA achieves the aim for which it is used here.