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translator

B2
Fairly common

Pronunciation

UK

  • /trænslˈeɪtə/

US

  • /trænˈsleɪtər/

Meanings

Noun

  1. a person who translates written text from one language into another

  2. an app, device, or program that translates speech or text between languages

  3. a program that converts code or other formal input from one language or format into another

Beyond the definition

Imagine opening a famous novel or a website written in a language you do not speak. A translator is the person who makes that content accessible to you. They take written information from one language and turn it into another while keeping the meaning clear. People sometimes use the word for an app or tool that does the same job, but it most often refers to someone who works with written words. They act as important bridges between cultures, helping ideas travel across borders. They do not just swap words; they also pay attention to context so the message comes through correctly, whether it is a legal contract, a medical report, or a great story.

Examples

  1. 1

    Business meeting

    We hired a translator for the meeting with the Japanese clients.

  2. 2

    Freelance work

    She works as a freelance translator from Arabic into English.

    • Patternfrom + source language into + target language

      changing one language into another

  3. 3

    Legal testimony

    The witness answered the lawyer's questions through a translator.

    • Phrasethrough a translator

      with a translator helping

  4. 4

    Medical care

    The hospital called in a translator so the patient could explain what was wrong.

More examples
  1. 5

    Online tools

    I use an online translator when I need to check a phrase quickly.

  2. 6

    Team communication

    In team meetings, Maya often acts as a translator between the designers and the developers.

    • Patternact as a translator between + groups

      help people understand each other, not only language

See also

Similar

Shades of meaning

  • localizer
  • subtitler
  • literary translator

Contrast

  • source-language author
  • monolingual speaker

Do not confuse

Used with (collocations)

  • professional translator
  • freelance translator
  • translator from Spanish into English
  • certified translator

Word family

Explore

  • source language
  • target language

Forms and spellings

1 form open this card.

Main spelling

  • translatornoun