translate

/trænzˈleɪt/ (bre, ipa) · /trænzˈleɪt/ (ame, ipa) · /tran(t)s-ˈlāt tranz-; ˈtran(t)s-ˌlāt, ˈtranz-/ (ame, mw)

translate — verb

  • translatepresent simple I / you / we / they
  • translateshe / she / it
  • translatedpast simple
  • translating-ing form

1. to say or write what a piece of text or speech means using a different language

1.動詞及物 / 不及物A2
釋義

to say or write what a piece of text or speech means using a different language

例句

Sahil translated the email from French into English for his boss.

translate + from + into + language

The company website was translated into five Asian languages last year.

passive: be translated into [language]

同義詞
  • interpret

    Usually oral and immediate; an interpreter works with speech in real time

  • convert

    Broader — can apply to data, currency, or units, not just language

  • render

    More formal and literary, often implying stylistic sensitivity

反義詞

文法句型

translate + noun phrase

translate + from + language + into + language

translate + for + person

用法筆記

Frequently used with from (source language) and into (target language). When no object is given, the verb is intransitive: 'She translates for the ministry.' This is the only sense where a person doing the action is called a translator.

常見錯誤

❌She translated the book in Chinese.
✅She translated the book into Chinese.
💡The target language requires into, not in.
❌I translated the teacher said we need books.
✅I translated what the teacher said about the books.
💡A that-clause directly after translate is unnatural; restructure the sentence.

2. to change an idea, plan, skill, or experience into a real and working result

2.動詞及物B2
釋義

to change an idea, plan, skill, or experience into a real and working result

例句

The architect translated her rough sketches into detailed building plans for the project.

translate + noun + into + new form

Vinícius hopes to translate his passion for cooking into a successful restaurant business.

同義詞
  • convert

    Broader and more neutral; can apply to materials or formats

  • transform

    Suggests a bigger or more dramatic change in nature

  • turn into

    More informal and common in everyday speech

文法句型

translate + noun + into + noun

用法筆記

Always followed by into when specifying the outcome. Subject is typically an abstract thing: an idea, plan, skill, effort, or experience. This sense cannot be used with language names or actual text.

常見錯誤

❌His hard work translated success.
✅His hard work translated into success.
💡The preposition into is required after the verb to link the cause and the result.

3. to understand what someone's statements or conduct are intended to convey, espec

3.動詞及物B2
釋義

to understand what someone's statements or conduct are intended to convey, especially when the message is not directly stated

例句

Élise translated her manager's silence as a sign that the proposal was rejected.

translate + noun + as + interpretation

James translated the strange symbol as a warning about dangerous rocks ahead.

同義詞
  • interpret

    The more common word for assigning meaning; translate is slightly more formal here

  • read as

    Informal; often used about written signs or signals

  • understand

    More general; translate suggests a deliberate act of decoding

反義詞

文法句型

translate + noun + as + noun

how + translate + noun

用法筆記

Often takes as to introduce the interpretation: translate X as Y. Unlike sense 2, this sense is about reading a meaning into words or behaviour, not about producing a concrete outcome. Distinguish from sense 1: sense 1 changes actual language; sense 3 assigns meaning to signals that may not be language at all.

常見錯誤

❌I translate his silence that he is angry.
✅I translate his silence as anger.
💡Use as, not a that-clause, after translate in this sense.