translate

verb

trans·late | \ tran(t)s-ˈlāt,

tranz-; ˈtran(t)s-ˌlāt, ˈtranz-\

translated; translating

Definition of translate

transitive verb

1a : 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

2a : 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

Other Words from translate Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about translate

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Other Words from translate

translatability \ (ˌ)tran(t)s-ˌlā-tə-ˈbi-lə-tē ,

(ˌ)tranz- \ noun

translatable \ tran(t)s-ˈlā-tə-bəl ,

tranz- \ adjective

translator \ ˈtran(t)s-ˌlā-tər ,

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

Synonyms & Antonyms for translate

Synonyms

paraphrase, rephrase, restate, reword

Antonyms

quote

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

But researchers also found that 42 to 63 percent of Airbnb stays would not have translated into hotel bookings if Airbnb weren’t available. — Patrick Sisson, Curbed, "How vacation homes went from private escape to investment opportunities," 2 Oct. 2018 The diameter of the storm is about 80 kilometers (50 miles) greater than in the cooler simulation, which would translate into higher storm surge flooding on the coast. — Scott K. Johnson, Ars Technica, "A quick simulation of Hurricane Florence done without climate change," 13 Sep. 2018 Even if India had maintained the rate of 2005, that would have translated into a further 42m workers. — The Economist, "Culture and the labour market keep India’s women at home," 5 July 2018 Schaefer suggested the district increase student-to-teacher ratios by one, which would translate to slightly larger class sizes. — Shelby Webb, Houston Chronicle, "Klein ISD could freeze hiring, postpone school opening to close budget gap," 22 June 2018 Should such shade be thrown, Hankuk University’s Edge says it’s unlikely Kim’s interpreters would translate it literally. — Joseph Hincks / Seoul, Time, "Translating Trump and Kim: Spare a Thought for the Interpreters at the June 12 Summit," 11 June 2018 The Rebels opted to roll the dice on an elite high school coach, hoping Tony Sanchez’s skills leading Las Vegas Bishop Gorman High to six consecutive state titles would translate to the college level. — Iliana Limón Romero, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Much improved UNLV is No. 81 in 2018 preseason college football rankings, eyeing bowl bid," 7 June 2018 This can translate into people with vaginas often feeling ashamed of their own bodies and sexuality, Kitely says. — Rachel Jacoby Zoldan, SELF, "14 Benefits of Female Masturbation and Why Every Woman Should Do It," 31 Dec. 2018 More surprising were the alpine references, which could be read into the Fair Isle/Nordic knit patterns that Simons brilliantly translated into sequins. — Vogue, "Raf Simons Conjured Silver Belles for Christian Dior’s Debut Pre-Fall Collection," 29 Dec. 2018

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.