interpret

/ɪnˈtɜːprət/ (bre, ipa) · /ɪnˈtɜːrprət/ (ame, ipa) · /in-ˈtər-prət -pət/ (ame, mw)

interpret — verb

  • interpretpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • interpretshe / she / it
  • interpretedpast simple
  • interpreting-ing form

1. to give or find a meaning for a word, action, event, or sign, especially by rela

1.動詞及物B2
釋義

to give or find a meaning for a word, action, event, or sign, especially by relating it to the particular context or facts that surround it.

例句

Selim tried to interpret the manager's silence as a sign of doubt about the proposal.

interpret + noun phrase + as + noun phrase (assigning meaning)

Adina showed the students how to interpret the data from the medical trial correctly.

interpret + data (analytical context)

同義詞
  • decipher

    stronger focus on reading something difficult or coded, e.g. a handwriting or ancient script

  • construe

    more formal and often legal; implies a careful reading of wording to determine intent

  • understand

    broader and less analytical; lacks the sense of assigning meaning to something ambiguous

反義詞

文法句型

interpret + noun phrase

interpret + noun phrase + as + noun/adjective

用法筆記

Often followed by 'as' to state the meaning the speaker assigns. The passive form ('is interpreted as') is very common in academic and analytical writing, where the person doing the interpreting may be less important than the conclusion reached.

常見錯誤

❌I interpret she is tired.
✅I interpret her frequent yawning as a sign that she is tired.
💡'interpret' needs a direct object and usually 'as' to introduce the assigned meaning.
❌The doctor interpreted the X-ray results to the patient.
✅The doctor explained the X-ray results to the patient.
💡Use 'explain' when the meaning is already clear and you simply present it; use 'interpret' when you are deciding what the meaning could be.

2. to perform a musical composition, a stage character, or a dance routine accordin

2.動詞及物B2
釋義

to perform a musical composition, a stage character, or a dance routine according to your own understanding and creative choices, instead of simply copying a standard approach.

例句

Jude interpreted the piano sonata with a slow, gentle touch that moved the audience.

interpret + music + with + adverb phrase (describing performance style)

The director asked Élise to interpret the queen as a lonely but determined woman.

interpret + role + as + noun phrase (character interpretation)

同義詞
  • perform

    broader and more neutral; focuses on the act of playing or acting, not on personal expression

  • render

    formal, used especially in classical music and art criticism; suggests a polished finished version

文法句型

interpret + noun phrase (role/piece/music/song/dance)

用法筆記

Common in reviews and discussions of music, theatre, and dance. Unlike 'perform', which focuses on the technical act of playing or acting, 'interpret' highlights the performer's creative choices and personal understanding of the work.

常見錯誤

❌The pianist interpreted the piece perfectly.
✅The pianist interpreted the piece with surprising energy and warmth.
💡'Interpret' pairs with descriptions of style, not with value judgments like 'perfectly'; use 'perform' or 'play' for evaluative comments.

3. to listen to someone speaking in one language and immediately repeat the same me

3.動詞及物 / 不及物B2
釋義

to listen to someone speaking in one language and immediately repeat the same message in another language, especially in real-time situations such as meetings, court hearings, or conferences.

例句

Amelia interpreted for the Spanish delegates during the three-day trade conference.

interpret + for + person/group (indicating who is helped)

Joon interpreted the doctor's instructions from English into Korean for the worried family.

interpret + from + language + into + language

同義詞
  • translate

    general term covering both written and oral conversion; broader than 'interpret'

  • relay

    focuses on passing a message along, not necessarily between languages

文法句型

interpret + noun phrase (message/speech)

interpret + for + person/group

interpret + from + language + into + language

用法筆記

Distinguish from 'translate', which normally refers to written conversion. The noun 'interpreter' refers specifically to someone who performs oral translation. This sense is always about spoken language and real-time conversion, not written texts.

常見錯誤

❌She interpreted the novel from French into English.
✅She translated the novel from French into English.
💡'Interpret' is for spoken language only; use 'translate' for written texts like books, articles, or documents.