interpret
in-TER-prit
/ɪnˈtɜːrprɪt/
Explain the meaning of (information, words, or actions); translate orally or into sign language.
Interpretation involves an element of personal judgment or 'explaining' the sense, whereas translation is often seen as more literal.
The story behind the word. From the Latin 'interpretari.' The 'inter-' means 'between,' and the second part is related to 'price' or 'trader.' An interpreter was originally a 'middleman' who helped two people agree on a price by explaining their words to each other.
Word relationships
- elucidate: Elucidate means to make something clear through explanation, while interpret is specifically about finding meaning.
- misinterpret: To understand something incorrectly.
Commonly confused with
- translate: Interpret is usually oral and immediate; translate is usually written and takes more time.
Word family
- interpretation (noun): The action of explaining the meaning of something.
- interpreter (noun): A person who interprets.
Collocations
- interpret for
- widely interpreted
- difficult to interpret
Example sentences
- "We need someone to interpret for the visiting delegation during the live press conference." Professional setting.
- "Different critics will interpret the same poem in vastly different ways." Analyzing art.
Memory hook
An INTERpreter goes INTER (between) two people to help them talk. The person in between.
When not to use
Don't use it for written text if you want to be technically precise (use 'translate').
Fun facts
- Simultaneous interpretation (interpreting while the person is still speaking) was first used on a large scale during the Nuremberg Trials after WWII.
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