mistranslate
/ˌmɪs.trænzˈleɪt/ (bre, ipa) · /ˌmɪsˈtrænz.leɪt/ (ame, ipa) · /ˌmis-tran(t)s-ˈlāt How to pronounce mistranslate (audio) -tranz-; -ˈtran(t)s-ˌlāt, -ˈtranz-/ (ame, mw)
mistranslate — verb
- mistranslatepresent simple I / you / we / they
- mistranslates3rd person singular
- mistranslating-ing form
- mistranslatedpast simple
1. to express spoken or written language in another language wrongly, so the new ve
to express spoken or written language in another language wrongly, so the new version does not keep the original meaning accurate
The app mistranslated Roya's text message and started an unnecessary argument.
pattern: mistranslate + message/text
Aarav accidentally mistranslated the doctor's warning during the video call.
collocation: mistranslate a warning
The museum sign was mistranslated, so visitors entered through the exit door.
Otis mistranslated the joke for his cousins, and nobody laughed.
The subtitle team mistranslated Eli's name in the final scene.
- misinterpret
Broader — can mean understanding something wrongly even when no language change is involved
- garble
Stronger and less precise — suggests making the wording confused, not specifically translating between languages
- misrender
More formal and literary — often used for a mistaken wording choice in translation
- translate
Carries the meaning into another language correctly
- render faithfully
Emphasises keeping the original meaning and tone accurate
文法句型
mistranslate + noun phrase
be mistranslated into + language
用法筆記
The object is usually speech, writing, subtitles, signs, or another piece of language being moved into a new language. The verb often appears in the passive when the wrong translated version itself is the focus.