translate

verb

trans·​late tran(t)s-ˈlāt 

tranz-;

ˈtran(t)s-ˌlāt,

ˈtranz- 

translated; translating

transitive verb

1

a

: to turn into one's own or another language

b

: to transfer or turn from one set of symbols into another : transcribe

c(1)

: to express in different terms and especially different words : paraphrase

(2)

: to express in more comprehensible terms : explain, interpret

2

a

: to bear, remove, or change from one place, state, form, or appearance to another : transfer, transform

translate ideas into action

b

: to convey to heaven or to a nontemporal condition without death

c

: to transfer (a bishop) from one see to another

3

: enrapture

4

: to subject to mathematical translation

5

: to subject (genetic information) to translation in protein synthesis

intransitive verb

1

: to practice translation or make a translation

also : to admit of or be adaptable to translation

a word that doesn't translate easily

2

: to undergo a translation

3

: lead, result

—usually used with into

believes that tax cuts will translate into economic growth

translatability

(ˌ)tran(t)s-ˌlā-tə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

(ˌ)tranz-

noun

The translatability of other native two-dimensional designs into the commercial medium of silk screens, however, may not be so clearcut.

—Margaret B. Blackman et al.

translatable

tran(t)s-ˈlā-tə-bəl 

tranz-

adjective

The word is of Derrida's own coinage and is deliberately ambiguous (and therefore not translatable), being derived from the French …

—Ann Jefferson

… but the resultant information is spotty and not readily translatable into an average national trend.

—Barry Commoner

translator

ˈtran(t)s-ˌlā-tər 

ˈtranz-;

tran(t)s-ˈlā-tər 

tranz-

noun

Synonyms

• paraphrase
• rephrase
• restate
• reword

Examples of translate in a Sentence

My client speaks only Spanish. Will you translate for me?

The French word “bonjour” translates as “hello” in English.

We need someone who can translate Japanese into English.

We have translated the report.

The book has been translated into 37 languages.

Can you translate this technical jargon?

Seventy million Americans—that translates into one American out of every four—are under the age of 24.

Recent Examples on the Web

Then there’s banh mi, which literally translates to bread, but is most frequently used to refer to sandwiches traditionally assembled with a variety of pork products and pickled vegetables, then stuffed into a toasted baguette. —Christina Liao, Vogue, 27 Dec. 2024

There were questions whether his game would translate from the MHL. —Scott Powers, The Athletic, 27 Dec. 2024

The Biden administration’s $926 billion total translates to more than $7,000 for every household in America. ... —Rachel Greszler, National Review, 27 Dec. 2024

These are favorable circumstances to end Israel's wars during 2025 and translate the military achievements into a political move with moderate Arab states and perhaps also the Palestinians. —Tom Rogers, Newsweek, 26 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French translater, from Latin translatus (past participle of transferre to transfer, translate), from trans- + latus, past participle of ferre to carry — more at tolerate, bear

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Phrases Containing translate

• translate into

Kids Definition

translate

verb

trans·​late tran(t)s-ˈlāt  tranz- 

translated; translating

1

: to change from one place, state, or form to another : transform

translate ideas into action

2

: to transport miraculously to heaven without death

3

a

: to change from one language or set of symbols into another

translate Japanese into English

b

: to express in different words : paraphrase

c

: to explain in a clearer way : interpret

needed a lawyer to translate the contract

4

: to be translated

5

: to have as a result

—usually used with into

believes that more homework will translate into better grades

translatable

-ˈlāt-ə-bəl 

adjective

translator

-ˈlāt-ər 

noun

Medical Definition

translate

transitive verb

trans·​late tran(t)s-ˈlāt, tranz- 

translated; translating

: to subject (as genetic information) to translation in protein synthesis