translate

verb trans·late \ tran(t)s-ˈlāt , tranz- ; ˈtran(t)s-ˌlāt , ˈtranz- \

Definition of translate

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

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translatability

play \(ˌ)tran(t)s-ˌlā-tə-ˈbi-lə-tē, (ˌ)tranz-\ noun

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translatable

play \tran(t)s-ˈlā-tə-bəl, tranz-\ adjective

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translator

play \ˈtran(t)s-ˌlā-tər, ˈtranz-; tran(t)s-ˈlā-tər, tranz-\ noun

See translate defined for English-language learners

See translate defined for kids

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 of translate from the Web

The current betting line translates to a 28 percent chance that the former Goldman Sachs chief operating officer gets the post, compared to 24 percent for Yellen.

— tory newmyer, Washington Post, "The Finance 202: Harvey complicates Trump's border wall plans," 29 Aug. 2017
Her hasty entrance translated to a somewhat sloppy performance of a polonaise and a ballade.

— lucas peterson, New York Times, "In Warsaw, With Chopin as Muse," 23 Aug. 2017
According to Japanese news site SoraNews24, the Kit Kat Nodo Ame Aji, which translates to Kit Kat Cough Drop Flavor, is made with white chocolate that's mixed with enough throat-lozenge powder to make up a full 2.1% of each serving.

— andrea park, Teen Vogue, "Cough-Drop–Flavored Kit Kats Debut in Japan," 23 Aug. 2017
Even if their lives appeared fabulous, the women in the magazine lived in their clothes, and looks from the runways were translated in wearable ways.

— stephen mooallem, Harper's BAZAAR, "Free Love and Fashion," 18 Aug. 2017
That translates into $3,861 a month, for 44 hours of home care a week the equivalent of slightly more than six hours of care, seven days a week.

— judith graham, chicagotribune.com, "How to get long-term care at home without busting the bank," 7 Aug. 2017
The thought was one good year for a contender could translate into a long-term contract.

— jeff wilson, star-telegram, "Cashner bet on himself in off-season, now appears headed to pay window," 7 Aug. 2017
The amount of time able-bodied adults spent on the program was also cut in half, an important metric when less time spent on welfare translates into faster entry into the work force, higher wages, and larger income growth.

— josh archambault, National Review, "Put Work Requirements for Food Stamps on Steroids," 3 Aug. 2017
But anger and disgust translate into losses — of one’s reputation and political future, and at the polls.

— jill filipovic, Cosmopolitan, "Stop Being Shocked by Donald Trump," 25 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'translate.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of translate

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

translate Synonyms

Synonyms

rephrase, restate, reword, paraphrase

Antonyms

quote

Related Words

boil down, recapitulate, reiterate, summarize, sum up

Near Antonyms

echo, repeat; copy, reproduce, transcribe

TRANSLATE Defined for English Language Learners

translate

verb

Definition of translate for English Language Learners

: to change words from one language into another language
: to explain (something) in a way that is easier to understand
: to have the same meaning

TRANSLATE Defined for Kids

translate

verb trans·late \ trans-ˈlāt \

Definition of translate for Students

translated; translating

1 :to turn from one language into another

2 :to change from one form to another

Let's translate words into action.

—

translator

\-ˈlā-tər\ noun

Medical Dictionary

translate

transitive verb trans·late \ tran(t)s-ˈlāt, tranz- \

medical Definition of translate

translated; translating

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

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