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 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

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 & Antonyms for translate

Synonyms

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 Most Americans see masks as useful in preventing the spread of the coronavirus, but that doesn’t always translate to people actually wearing them. — Popular Science, "The places where Americans aren’t wearing masks," 25 Jan. 2021 With parking lots and dumpsters overflowing this year, park rangers certainly had their hands full, Courtright said, but the bigger crowds didn’t necessarily translate to more abuse on the land. — oregonlive, "Rise of the rookie hikers: The pandemic pushed a new wave of people outside, for better or worse," 29 Dec. 2020 His spotty receiving stats weren't completely his fault, but Jeudy's reputation as the best route-runner in his draft class didn't translate into big rookie numbers. — Tony Holm, USA TODAY, "Fantasy football sizzlers, fizzlers for 2020: Justin Jefferson leads rookie receivers," 29 Dec. 2020 The Stars signed Felhaber knowing that an overager scoring in the OHL didn’t always translate to success in pro hockey, but hope this season can be a step towards more production in the AHL. — Matthew Defranks, Dallas News, "Ranking the Dallas Stars’ prospects: These players are organizational depth -- for now," 29 Dec. 2020 However, less efficient production doesn’t always translate to lower levels of vitamin D in people of color versus white communities because other molecules that neutralize vitamin D are also present in different concentrations between populations. — Fedor Kossakovski, Science, "Why cold weather makes it harder for the body to fight respiratory infections," 15 Dec. 2020 Bolsonaro’s popularity was boosted during the past few months by the cash handouts, but that didn’t translate into political gains in the local elections. — Simone Preissler Iglesias, Bloomberg.com, "Bolsonaro Says He Can’t Extend Covid Cash Handouts in Brazil," 1 Dec. 2020 The 2020 campaign proved that money does not always translate into votes. — Brian Slodysko, Star Tribune, "Bloomberg's big spending struggles to sway election outcomes," 13 Nov. 2020 Some residents there have also complained that the project would be built near low-income neighborhoods and schools, but that didn’t translate to significant opposition in the ballot question. — Washington Post, "Virginia cities hope to cash in after voters approve casino measures," 13 Nov. 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.