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 of translate

• summarize

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

All of that translates to better local media rights and higher corporate partnership rates. —Kansas City Star, 14 Nov. 2025

The 2025 creations translate this spirit into a new design language. —Fairchild Studio, Footwear News, 14 Nov. 2025

After the model is ready, NX CAM Robotics translates the digital model into motion – instructing the robots how to move, and sculpt the material. —Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 14 Nov. 2025

By 2034, that translates to a need of about 416,000 new aircraft maintenance technicians worldwide. —Preston Fore, Fortune, 14 Nov. 2025

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

Rhymes for translate

• abate
• airfreight
• await
• baseplate
• berate
• birthdate
• birthrate
• bookplate
• borate
• breastplate
• bromate
• casemate

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