Construe Meaning in English
word
kənˈstɹu
kuhn-STROO
kənstɹˈuː
kuhn-STROO
Definition
To understand or explain the meaning of something, especially words, statements, or actions, often in a particular way.
Usage & Nuances
'Construe' is a formal and somewhat academic word, often used in legal, scholarly, or analytical contexts. Common phrases: 'construe as', 'be construed to mean'. Not the same as 'construct'. Don't use in casual conversation; use 'interpret' instead.
Spanish: interpretar - entenderPortuguese (BR): interpretar - compreenderPortuguese (PT): interpretar - compreenderChinese (Simplified): 解释（言辞、行为）- 理解Chinese (Traditional): 解釋（言詞、行為）- 理解Hindi: अर्थ लगाना - समझनाArabic: يفسر - يؤولBengali: ব্যাখ্যা করা - মর্মার্থ নির্ধারণ করাRussian: истолковывать - трактоватьJapanese: 解釈するVietnamese: diễn giải - hiểu theo nghĩaKorean: 해석하다 - 이해하다Turkish: yorumlamak - anlam çıkarmakUrdu: تشریح کرنا - معنی اخذ کرناIndonesian: menafsirkan - menafsir
Example Sentences
How do you construe his silence?
basic
His words can be construed as a threat.
basic
Please do not construe this as criticism.
basic
That comment could easily be construed the wrong way if you're not careful.
natural
Some people construe my shyness as rudeness, but that's not true at all.
natural
If you construe feedback too negatively, it can hurt your progress.
natural