Synonyms

translate

American

[trans-layt, tranz-, trans-layt, tranz-] / trænsˈleɪt, trænz-, ˈtræns leɪt, ˈtrænz- /

verb (used with object)

to turn from one language into another or from a foreign language into one's own.

to translate Spanish.
to change the form, condition, nature, etc., of; transform; convert.

to translate wishes into deeds.
to explain in terms that can be more easily understood; interpret.
to bear, carry, or move from one place, position, etc., to another; transfer.
Mechanics. to cause (a body) to move without rotation or angular displacement; subject to translation.
Computers. to convert (a program, data, code, etc.) from one form to another.

to translate a FORTRAN program into assembly language.
Telegraphy. to retransmit or forward (a message), as by a relay.
Ecclesiastical.
1. to move (a bishop) from one see to another.
2. to move (a see) from one place to another.
3. to move (relics) from one place to another.
to convey or remove to heaven without natural death.
Mathematics. to perform a translation on (a set, function, etc.).
to express the value of (a currency) in a foreign currency by applying the exchange rate.
to exalt in spiritual or emotional ecstasy; enrapture.

verb (used without object)

to provide or make a translation; act as translator.
to admit of translation.

The Greek expression does not translate easily into English.

translate British

/ trænsˈleɪt, trænz- /

verb

to express or be capable of being expressed in another language or dialect

he translated Shakespeare into Afrikaans
his books translate well
(intr) to act as translator
(tr) to express or explain in simple or less technical language
(tr) to interpret or infer the significance of (gestures, symbols, etc)
(tr) to transform or convert

to translate hope into reality
(tr; usually passive) biochem to transform the molecular structure of (messenger RNA) into a polypeptide chain by means of the information stored in the genetic code See also transcribe
to move or carry from one place or position to another
(tr)
1. to transfer (a cleric) from one ecclesiastical office to another
2. to transfer (a see) from one place to another
(tr) RC Church to transfer (the body or the relics of a saint) from one resting place to another
(tr) theol to transfer (a person) from one place or plane of existence to another, as from earth to heaven
maths physics to move (a figure or body) laterally, without rotation, dilation, or angular displacement
(intr) (of an aircraft, missile, etc) to fly or move from one position to another
archaic (tr) to bring to a state of spiritual or emotional ecstasy

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

Inflected Forms

Participles

Conjugated Forms

Present

Past

Future

Etymology

Origin of translate

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English translaten, from Latin trānslātus “borne across,” past participle of trānsferre “to bear across,” from trāns- trans- + ferre “to bear, bring, carry” ( see also bear ¹); for the suppletive element -lātus, earlier tlātus (unrecorded), see also thole ², tolerate

Explanation

To translate is to put into a different language or interpret. If your brother says, "Gee, Mom, all of my friends have really cool pets, like snakes and stuff," you can translate that statement to mean "I want a snake." Translate comes from the Latin translates, which means "carry across." The word isn't limited to talking about language. You can translate sales into dollars, or a play into a movie. When used that way, translate means changing something from one form to another.

Keep Reading on Vocabulary.com

Vocabulary lists containing translate

Jim Burke's Academic Vocabulary List

Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!

"My Favorite Chaperone," Vocabulary from the short story

Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!

The Invention of Hugo Cabret

Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

translate translates translated translating

I wanted to know whether the prayer and applause would translate into anything.

From Slate ● Oct. 6, 2026

The next step is to translate growing awareness into practical action.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 2, 2026

The point is that AI will almost certainly raise productivity and economic growth, but not necessarily in ways that translate directly into revenue, or the fat returns investors are counting on.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 2, 2026

A humanoid’s knees rely on linear actuators, which are made up of similar components but translate rotation into a linear movement: pulling, lifting and so on.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 2, 2026

Even though I know English, I don’t know how to translate something that makes no sense at all, even to me.

From "Before We Were Free" by Julia Alvarez

Central to both Steinbeck’s novel and Kazan’s update is the author’s interpretation of the Hebrew word timshel, which he translates as “thou mayest.”

From Salon ● Oct. 3, 2026

She currently translates Greek and Egyptian writing preserved on ancient papyri at UC Berkeley's Center for the Tebtunis Papyri in the Bancroft Library.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 26, 2026

The party took 26% of the vote, which translates to 47 out of 158 seats in the metropolitan legislature.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 24, 2026

That translates into belonging in different spaces where I could have been uncomfortable in before, so it’s a great time to inhabit these characters.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 14, 2026

Brother Quang translates into a microphone, his voice sad and slow.

From "Inside Out and Back Again" by Thanhha Lai

At the end of a slow zoom shot, we see the article’s title in Italian until it’s translated for us in English: “A Machine Has Been Invented That Photographs the Past.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 2, 2026

So far, the run-up in wheat futures hasn’t translated into substantial price increases on U.S. store shelves, but that is likely to change if supplies remain tight, analysts say.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 24, 2026

The novel, described by his Canadian publisher as its biggest seller in 60 years, is due to be translated into around 20 languages.

From BBC ● Sep. 23, 2026

That translated to about four fewer major cardiovascular events for every 100 people over three years.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 21, 2026

She glanced at the coded portion of the letter they hadn’t translated yet, the part that required finding a different key to break the code.

From "The Strangers" by Margaret Peterson Haddix

A Tetum interpreter was present in court and stood beside Soares and Mariano translating the prosecution's account.

From BBC ● Oct. 1, 2026

AMD shares finished the day at $615.52, translating to a market capitalization of $1 trillion.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 21, 2026

And inside their homes, parents find ways to impart their own lessons, translating trauma into family history.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 11, 2026

Analysts believe this shift reduces the risk of a gas price spike translating into electricity bill hikes as severe as those seen in 2022, although costs are still expected to rise.

From Barron's ● Sep. 8, 2026

They spent two mornings a week in the library with Dr. Perez and her flying llama translating all the different incants used by Marvellians from around the world.

From "The Marvellers" by Dhonielle Clayton

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023