Abstract Metaphor translation is a complex cognitive process. Previous studies have generally relied on traditional testing methods that primarily focus on completed translation works. The use of dynamic and procedural experimental methods for detection is still lacking. Going beyond previous studies, the current research utilizes eye-tracking and EEG technology to simultaneously record and analyze eye movement indicators and alpha band activity during the metaphor translation process. Eye movement indicators reflect cognitive effort in the context of source text (ST) comprehension, while the alpha band reflects divergent thinking during the translation output stage of the target text (TT). The participants were professional and student translators. The results indicate that the translators exert more cognitive effort in the metaphor translation process compared to the non-metaphor translation process. Additionally, they demonstrate more effective divergent thinking during metaphor translation tasks than during non-metaphor translation tasks. Furthermore, professional translators require less cognitive effort and maintaining a more stable level of divergent thinking. These empirical results suggest that metaphor translation requires not only linguistic abilities for cognitive processing but also divergent thinking skills to find the most appropriate translation solutions.