interpret
word
/ˌɪnˈtɝpɹət/
in-TUR-pruht
/ɪntˈɜːpɹɪt/
in-TUR-pruht
Definition
To explain the meaning of something or to translate spoken words from one language to another.
Usage & Nuances
Used both for explaining meaning ('interpret the data') and for oral translation ('interpret for the visitor'). Usually formal or academic. Common collocations: 'interpret a dream', 'interpret the law', 'interpret for someone'. Not the same as 'translate', which is for written language.
Spanish: interpretarPortuguese (BR): interpretarPortuguese (PT): interpretarChinese (Simplified): 解释 - 口译Chinese (Traditional): 解釋 - 口譯Hindi: व्याख्या करना - अनुवाद करनाArabic: يفسر - يترجم شفهياًBengali: ব্যাখ্যা করা - অনুবাদ করা (মৌখিকভাবে)Russian: интерпретировать - переводить устноJapanese: 解釈する - 通訳するVietnamese: giải thích - phiên dịchKorean: 해석하다 - 통역하다Turkish: yorumlamak - tercüme etmek (sözlü)Urdu: تشریح کرنا - ترجمہ کرنا (زبانی)Indonesian: menafsirkan - menerjemahkan (lisan)
Example Sentences
Can you interpret this painting for me?
basic
She will interpret for the guests at the conference.
basic
It is hard to interpret what he meant.
basic
She knows how to interpret body language really well.
natural
Sometimes jokes are hard to interpret if you don't know the culture.
natural
He was hired to interpret during the business negotiations.
natural