translate

verb

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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 intobelieves 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

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

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 The Mexican writer Jazmina Barrera also organizes her book, On Lighthouses (Two Lines Press, $19.95, translated by Christina MacSweeney), according to a deliberately alienating set of references. — Lidija Haas, Harper's Magazine, "New Books," 27 Apr. 2020 Spanish can be translated to English when using the app. — Carol Robinson | Crobinson@al.com, al, "$10,000 reward offered in deadly stabbing of Montgomery teen," 27 Apr. 2020 The site has been translated into 18 languages and is being used in countries from Estonia to Pakistan. — Casey Ross, STAT, "How a coronavirus symptom checker came to steer patients to care from Texas to Estonia," 21 Apr. 2020 In a letter translated from its original Spanish, the group asked Mayor Ron Nirenberg and the City Council for help. — Elaine Ayala, ExpressNews.com, "Ayala: San Antonio housekeepers feel left behind by coronavirus aid programs," 18 Apr. 2020 Red Cavalry By Isaac Babel, translated from the Russian by David McDuff (2005) 1. — A.d. Miller, WSJ, "Five Best: A.D. Miller on Historical Events in Fiction," 17 Apr. 2020 Going a step further, that same round fired from a 5.5-inch barrel at 500 feet above sea level was chronographed at 1,925 feet per second, which translates into reliable performance at a little over 200 yards away. — Chris Mudgett, Outdoor Life, "7 Things You Need to Know Before Buying an AR Pistol," 16 Apr. 2020 While Salem’s Lot has never been adapted to the silver screen, it has been translated to the small screen. — Borys Kit, The Hollywood Reporter, "'Annabelle Comes Home' Filmmaker Gary Dauberman to Direct Stephen King's Vampire Tale 'Salem's Lot' (Exclusive)," 10 Apr. 2020 For some, this time will present an opportunity to put more thought and energy into individual relationships and deep one-on-one conversations, which translate well to platforms like Zoom or FaceTime. — Ashley Fetters, The Atlantic, "We Need to Stop Trying to Replicate the Life We Had," 10 Apr. 2020

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.