Translate Meaning

UK /trænsˈleɪt/
US /trænsˈleɪt/
Word Definition
translate meaning

Translate Definition & Usage

verb

To express the meaning of (words or text) in another language.

Examples

  • "I need to translate this document from French to English by tomorrow."
  • "Can you translate what he just said? I didn’t understand."
  • "The app allows users to translate text in over 30 languages."
  • "She translated the poem beautifully, capturing both its meaning and emotion."
  • "The book was first published in Japanese and was later translated into English."
verb

To convert or transform something into a different form, state, or condition.

Examples

  • "She tried to translate her ideas into actionable steps."
  • "The movie was able to translate the excitement of the novel onto the big screen."
  • "His art translates the emotions of the landscape into vibrant colors."
  • "It’s difficult to translate theory into practical experience."
  • "The chef knows how to translate simple ingredients into exquisite dishes."
verb

To convert (data or a signal) from one format or medium to another.

Examples

  • "The software can translate old video files into a modern format."
  • "My phone app translates speech into text in real-time."
  • "The machine can translate the code from one programming language to another."
  • "This tool is designed to translate HTML code into CSS styles automatically."
  • "They used a program that translates scanned documents into editable text."

Cultural Context

The word 'translate' has a long history, originating from Latin 'translatus', which means 'carried across'. It was first used in English during the Middle Ages, and its meaning expanded over time. In addition to its primary use in language, it has been applied to fields such as technology, art, and philosophy, often referring to a form of conversion or transformation.

The Bridge Between Worlds

Story

The Bridge Between Worlds

In the quiet town of Alexandria, a young translator named Lily sat at her desk, surrounded by stacks of books in different languages. Her most recent project was a challenging one—an ancient manuscript written in a dialect no longer spoken. It was up to Lily to translate the old text into English, but it wasn't just the words that posed a challenge. The meanings, the context, the emotions of the time—all had to be preserved. As she carefully sifted through the pages, she found herself translating not just words, but a way of life. Lily paused, her finger tracing a passage that described the heartache of a mother losing her child to the sea. The language was old, but the sentiment was timeless. It was as if the text was speaking to her, translating the emotions of an ancient world into the very present she lived in. She knew she wasn't just converting words from one language to another; she was bridging a gap between past and present, between cultures and generations. The manuscript was meant to be more than just a historical artifact—it was meant to speak across time, to speak to modern readers as if they too had once felt the weight of that grief. Lily's work was not just about translation; it was about transformation, about taking something ancient and turning it into something accessible, something that could be understood in today’s world. One evening, Lily met with her friend Marco, a programmer, to discuss an upcoming project involving the translation of software code. As they sat in a café, Marco explained how they were working on translating an old video game into a new format. 'It's all about converting it into something that modern systems can handle,' he said, sipping his coffee. 'But it's not just technical. You need to preserve the original spirit of the game, the way it felt when it first came out.' Lily smiled. 'You know, Marco, that’s exactly what I’m trying to do with this manuscript. It’s not just about translating the words. It’s about translating the feeling.' As she returned to her desk later that night, Lily thought about the word 'translate'—how it could mean so many different things. Whether converting a poem from French to English, transforming an old piece of software into something new, or bringing to life the forgotten emotions of a long-lost world, translation was always about connection. It was about making something new and meaningful out of something old and distant. In that moment, Lily realized that translation was not just a skill; it was a bridge between worlds, a way to carry ideas, emotions, and cultures across time and space.

The Bridge Between Worlds