transcribe
gb/tɹænskɹˈaɪb/ us/tɹænskɹˈaɪb/
B1
English
~ 4700
Senses
0 senses
Verb
B1
action
1
Write down spoken words
To write spoken words on paper or on a computer.
Usage pattern:
to transcribe [speech/conversation/interview]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'transcribe' with 'translate'. 'Transcribe' means to write down exactly what was said, not to change it into another language.
Synonyms
record (Can mean to capture sound, not necessarily in written form.)
|
write down (More general and less formal; can apply to any information.)
Antonyms
summarize (To give only the main points instead of the full text.)
Collocations
transcribe an interview
|transcribe a speech
|transcribe a recording
|transcribe notes
Themes
language
|communication
|media
|work
Examples
- The journalist had to transcribe the entire interview for the article.
- She carefully transcribed the lecture for students who missed it.
- Court reporters transcribe everything said during a trial.
Learner examples
- I will transcribe what you say.
- The student transcribed the teacher’s words.
- He is transcribing the meeting now.
Verb
technical
B2
action
2
Convert speech/data to symbols
To write speech, music, or data using special signs or letters.
Usage pattern:
to transcribe [music/speech/data] into [notation/script]
Common mistake:
Learners may not realize this meaning is more technical and used in fields like linguistics, music, and genetics.
Synonyms
encode (Often used for digital or symbolic representation.)
Antonyms
decode (To turn symbols back into their original form.)
Collocations
transcribe music
|transcribe DNA sequence
|transcribe phonetics
Themes
language
|science
|technology
|communication
Examples
- Linguists transcribe unfamiliar languages using phonetic symbols.
- The musician transcribed the song for piano.
- Scientists transcribed the genetic code for further study.
Learner examples
- The scientist transcribed the DNA code.
- She transcribed the music onto paper.
- Linguists transcribe sounds into symbols.
Grammar
Dictionary form
transcribe
IPA
GB/tɹænskɹˈaɪb/
US/tɹænskɹˈaɪb/
Syllables & stress
tran - scribe (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (scribe)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: transcribe
- 3rd Person Singular: transcribes
- Present Participle: transcribing
- Past: transcribed
Word family
Forms
transcribes
verb
transcribing
verb
transcribed
verb
Core family
Related words
transcriptionist
noun
mistranscribe
verb
Advanced or less common
transcribable
adjective
Expressions
transcribe from memory
1/tɹænskɹˈaɪb fɹˈʌm mˈɛmɚi/
fixed phrase
Write remembered words
To write words or information that you remember, without looking at the original.
Examples
- She transcribed the poem from memory after hearing it once.
- The witness tried to transcribe from memory what was said during the meeting.
transcribe notes
1/tɹænskɹˈaɪb nˈoʊts/
fixed phrase
Copy or type notes neatly
To rewrite notes in a clear way, often on a computer.
Examples
- After class, he went home to transcribe his notes.
- She always transcribes her meeting notes before sending them to the team.