譯 (yì) - To translate & to interpret

譯Tone 4

yì ｜ 20 strokes ｜ radical:

一懿

譯 · yì

To translate;

to interpret;

to explain;

to decode.

To translateto interpretto explain

Usage highlights

TranslationTranslatorTranslation versionTranslated textInterpretationTranslation notes

Synonyms

  • 翻— to turn over; used in 翻译 for translation
  • 解— to explain; to interpret

Antonyms

  • 原— original (as in original text)
  • 本— source (as in source language/text)

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • He works as a translator (翻译).
  • This book has been translated into many languages (译本).
  • Please interpret this ancient text (译文).
  • Simultaneous interpretation is challenging (口译).

Collocations

  • Translation(翻译)
  • Translator(译者)
  • Translation version(译本)
  • Translated text(译文)
  • Interpretation(口译)
  • Translation notes(译注)

Idioms

  • Literal translation(直译)
  • Free translation(意译)
  • Mistranslation leading to misunderstanding(译误致歧)
  • To translate military codes(译传军令)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • The character reflects China's long history of translating Buddhist sutras and foreign texts.
  • In modern context, it's central to China's engagement with global knowledge and culture.
  • The semantic component 言 (speech) emphasizes the linguistic nature of translation.

FAQ