translate | meaning of translate in Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English (2024)

From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishtranslatetrans‧late /trænsˈleɪt, trænz-/ ●●● S3 verb 1 change languages [intransitive, transitive]TRANSLATE to change written or spoken words into another language → interprettranslate something (from something) into something Translate the text from Italian into English. Poetry doesn’t usually translate well.translate as Dagda, an ancient Irish deity, literally translates as ‘the good god’.2 happen as result [intransitive, transitive] if one thing translates into another, the second thing happens as a result of the firsttranslate (something) into something A small increase in local spending will translate into a big rise in property tax. 3 have same meaning [intransitive] to mean the same as something elsetranslate into/to something These rates translate into a return of 8.5% for dollar investors.4 change forms [intransitive, transitive]CHANGE FROM ONE THING TO ANOTHER to change something, or be changed, from one form into anothertranslate (something) into something the danger of translating your emotions into actions Jokes often don’t translate well into print. 5 use in new situation [intransitive, transitive] to be used in a new situation, or to make something do this SYN adapttranslate something to something It’s amazing how well the play has been translated to film. —translatable adjectiveTHESAURUStranslate verb [intransitive, transitive] to change written or spoken words into another languageShe has translated a number of his books.Michael Meyer translated the play from the original Norwegian.Can you translate this into French?interpret verb [intransitive, transitive] to change what someone is saying into another language, as they are speakingNo one in our tour group spoke Spanish so we had to ask the guide to interpret.We'll have to find someone who speaks Chinese to interpret the questions and answers for our guests.I had to interpret for my boss on the last trip to Japan.put something into English/French/Japanese etc British English to translate something into another language, especially a few words or a short piece of writingI've written a message for Fabio. Could you put it into Italian for me?I had to put a list of Japanese words into English. → See Verb tableExamples from the Corpustranslate• No one else spoke French, so I had to translate.• She has translated a number of his books.• Hollywood has to produce movies that translate easily into any language.• But its unremitting intensity and massive repetition do not translate easily.• Professor Ito translates for the others.• The best translators usually translate from a foreign language into their native language.• His research material is based on ancient and Sumerian texts, which he translates himself.• The book has been translated into 27 languages.• That disgust is translated into violent purging by vomiting or laxatives.• Already, we have technology that can take text and translate it into a computerized speaking voice.• Here people accept the importance of regular exercise but it is not clear if they are translating the message into action.• Michael Meyer translated the play from the original Norwegian.• Can you translate this into French?• That would translate to £10,750 for a 13-week term. translate something (from something) into something• It was lawyer C's job to translate the issue into a form which made this possible.• The album is a self-conscious attempt to translate tribal shamanism into a rhythmic faith for the Nineties dance culture.• Nevertheless, by his own admission, he failed to translate that energy into performance and change.• Once you have made this list, translate these negative actions into positive ones.• Courtaulds' challenge is to tune into the demand and drive it forward fast enough to translate technological lead into sales success.• These brothers translated the Bible into Slavonic, were the inventors of the Glagotithic alphabet, and founded Slavonic literature.• Later the book was translated into Spanish.• Mrs Cohen translates the questions into Yiddish for me. translate into/to something• A 16% raise translates to an extra $700 a month.From Longman Business Dictionarytranslatetrans‧late /trænsˈleɪt, trænz-/ verb1[transitive]FINANCE to change one currency into anothertranslate something into/to somethingA strong dollar reduces the value of overseas profits when they are translated back into dollars.The company sustained losses as revenue was translated from weak dollars to strong marks.2[intransitive, transitive] to change something from one form to another, especially to produce a final resultThis task previously required an extra machine to translate computer files.translate into£100m of private investment should translate into 5,000 new inner-city jobs.The production team translates the architect’s specifications into high-quality systems.→ See Verb tableOrigin translate (1300-1400) Latin past participle of transferre; →TRANSFER1