What is translate? Pronunciation and usage in English

translate means . Learn how to pronounce and use translate through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of translate

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/trɑːnzˈleɪt//tranzˈleɪt/
Definition & pronunciation of translate

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "translate" in English. It can be a tricky one! Here's a breakdown:

Most Common Pronunciation (American English):

  • TRAN - Like "tran" in "transaction" - sounds like /træ/ (rhymes with "gray")
  • SLATE - Like the word "slate" - sounds like /leɪt/ (rhymes with "late")
  • -IZE - Often reduced to "-ize" which sounds like /aɪz/ (like the "i" in "eye")

Combined: /træˈleɪt-aɪz/

IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) - for the most precise version: /træˈleɪt-aɪz/

Here's a way to think about it:

  1. "TRAN": Focus on that initial "tran" sound.
  2. "SLATE": Add the "slate" sound after that.
  3. "-IZE": Finish with the "-ize" sound, almost like a quick "eye-z"

Resources to Hear it:

To help me give you even more tailored advice, could you tell me:

  • What dialect of English are you interested in? (American, British, Australian, etc.)? While the pronunciation above is most common in American English, British English has a slightly different one.

Usage and examples with the word translate in English

Let's break down how to use the word "translate" in English. It's a versatile word with a specific meaning, but it can be used in a few different ways.

1. The Core Meaning: Converting Language

  • Definition: The most fundamental meaning of "translate" is to convert text or speech from one language into another.
  • Example: "I need to translate this document from French to English."
  • Example: "She's a professional translator who works with international companies."
  • Key Phrase: "Translate from Language A to Language B" (e.g., "Translate from Spanish to English")

2. Using "Translate" Beyond Literal Languages

The meaning of "translate" expands slightly beyond just spoken or written languages. It can also mean:

  • To express or interpret something in a different way: This is a more figurative use.

    • Example: "His criticism didn't translate well to the audience because they didn't understand his reasoning." (Meaning: His criticism didn't come across clearly or effectively)
    • Example: "The complex theory needed to be translated into simpler terms for children to understand." (Meaning: It needed to be expressed in a way that was easier for children to grasp.)
    • Example: “The high-level abstract ideas in the philosophy essay didn’t translate into practical advice.” (Meaning: The philosophical concepts didn't have a real-world application.)

  • To adapt or modify something to a new context: This is often used in creative fields.

    • Example: “The director had to translate the play’s themes into a visual medium for the film.” (Meaning: The director adapted the play’s themes to fit a film.)
    • Example: “The company needed to translate its marketing strategy for the online world.” (Meaning: The company adjusted its marketing strategy to work well in a digital environment.)

3. Phrases Using "Translate"

  • Translate into: (Most common when talking about languages) “Translate this sentence into German.”
  • Translate as: “Translate this poem as accurately as possible.”
  • Translate to: (Less common, but grammatically correct) “Translate to Spanish.”

Here's a table summarizing the key uses:

Context Meaning Example
Languages Convert text/speech from one language to another "Translate the email to Japanese."
Figurative (Ideas) Express/interpret in a different way “His anger didn’t translate to a calm response.”
Adaptation Adjust to a new context “Translate the recipe for a smaller oven.”

Tips for Using "Translate" Correctly:

  • Be clear: If you’re talking about languages, make it clear you mean a direct conversion between languages.
  • Context is key: Pay attention to the surrounding words to understand if "translate" is being used in its literal or figurative sense.

To help me give you even more tailored advice, could you tell me:

  • What are you trying to use "translate" in a sentence for? (e.g., are you talking about translating a document, expressing an idea, or something else?)

Synonyms for the word translate

Practice with vocabulary translate

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. The team needs someone to ________________ the technical manual from German to English for our new product launch.
  2. Her innovative ideas frequently ________________ into tangible improvements for team efficiency.
  3. During the negotiation, the interpreter had to ________________ the complex legal terms for both parties.
  4. Please ________________ these raw numbers into a clear, concise graph for the quarterly report.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. Which of the following actions refers to converting written text from one language to another? a) Interpret b) Translate c) Transcribe d) Paraphrase

  2. If you want to effectively convey a technical concept to a non-expert audience, you need to find a way to make the information accessible. Which of these words describe this process of making complex ideas understandable? (Select all that apply) a) simplify b) elaborate c) translate d) obfuscate

  3. When a company's strategic vision successfully transforms into concrete operational plans, it effectively does which of the following? (Select all that apply) a) translates b) executes c) interprets d) materializes

  4. Which of these terms describes explaining or rephrasing something in your own words, often to make it clearer or shorter? (Select all that apply) a) summarize b) paraphrase c) decipher d) elaborate

  5. What is the primary role of an interpreter during a live international conference? a) To transcribe speeches verbatim. b) To convert spoken words from one language to another in real-time. c) To write a summary of the discussions. d) To mediate cultural differences.

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. Original: The researcher found a way to convert theoretical concepts into practical applications for industry. Rewrite using "translate":
  2. Original: I need someone to render this legal document from Japanese into English accurately. Rewrite using a form of "translate":
  3. Original: Please explain the main points of the presentation to the international delegates. Rewrite without using "translate":

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. translate
  2. translate
  3. interpret
  4. convert

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. b) Translate
  2. a) simplify, c) translate
  3. a) translates, b) executes, d) materializes
  4. a) summarize, b) paraphrase
  5. b) To convert spoken words from one language to another in real-time.

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The researcher found a way to translate theoretical concepts into practical applications for industry.
  2. I need someone to translate this legal document from Japanese into English accurately.
  3. Please summarize the main points of the presentation for the international delegates.

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