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翻译
fān yì
What does "翻译" mean in English?
translate请把这段英文翻译成中文。
Please translate this English passage into Chinese.
How to use "翻译" correctly: definitions and examples in English?
formal
To convert written or spoken words from one language to another.
他翻译了这本小说。
He translated this novel.
Commonly used for both written and oral translation.
formal
A person who translates written texts or spoken words from one language to another.
她是一位资深翻译。
She is a senior translator.
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Distinguish between 翻译 and 口译
'翻译' refers to written translation, while '口译' (kǒuyì) refers to oral interpretation. For spoken translation, use '口译' to avoid confusion.
Gold Rule
Use context for precision
If the context is unclear, specify whether the translation is written or oral (e.g., '请帮我口头翻译' for oral translation).
Word Origin
Composed of 翻 (fān, to turn over) and 译 (yì, to interpret), reflecting the idea of 'turning' words from one language into another.
Usage Notes
In Chinese, '翻译' is used for both the action of translating and the person who does it. For the person, it is often preceded by a noun indicating the language pair (e.g., '中文翻译' for Chinese-English translator).
Word Breakdown
翻
to turn over
root译
to interpret
root汉英词典