interpret
gb/ɪntˈɚpɹət/ us/ɪntˈɚpɹət/
B1
Anglais
~ 2200
Sens
0 sens
Verbe
B1
action
1
Explain the meaning of something
To explain the meaning of words, actions, or information.
Schéma d’usage :
to interpret [something]
Erreur fréquente :
Learners sometimes confuse 'interpret' with 'translate'. 'Interpret' can mean explaining meaning in the same language, while 'translate' means changing words into another language.
Synonymes
explain (More general; to make something clear without necessarily analyzing it.)
|
clarify (Focuses on making something easier to understand, often by removing confusion.)
Antonymes
misinterpret (To understand or explain something incorrectly.)
Collocations
interpret a message
|interpret a speech
|interpret a text
|interpret the results
|interpret the law
Thèmes
communication
|language
|education
|core_vocabulary
Exemples
- The teacher interpreted the poem for the students.
- Can you interpret what he meant by that comment?
- The guide interpreted the ancient inscriptions for the group.
Exemples pédagogiques
- She interpreted the story for the class.
- He interpreted my words in a different way.
- The lawyer interpreted the law for us.
Verbe
B2
action
2
Translate spoken language instantly
To change spoken words from one language into another right away.
Schéma d’usage :
to interpret [speech/conversation] from [language] to [language]
Erreur fréquente :
Learners may not realize that 'interpret' in this sense is mainly for spoken language and often in real time, unlike written translation.
Synonymes
translate (General term for changing words from one language to another; not always instant or spoken.)
Antonymes
remain silent (Not providing any translation or speech.)
Collocations
interpret for a diplomat
|interpret in court
|interpret at a conference
Thèmes
communication
|language
|travel
|education
Exemples
- She interpreted for the visiting president during the meeting.
- The company hired someone to interpret from English to Japanese.
- He interpreted the conversation between the two leaders.
Exemples pédagogiques
- She interpreted my words into French.
- He can interpret English into Spanish very fast.
- The woman will interpret for us at the meeting.
Verbe
B2
action
3
Understand something in a certain way
To understand something in your own way.
Schéma d’usage :
to interpret [something] as [something]
Erreur fréquente :
Learners may confuse this with explaining meaning to others; here it is about personal understanding, not explanation.
Synonymes
perceive (Focuses more on how something is seen or experienced by someone.)
|
construe (Formal term for interpreting words or actions in a specific way.)
Antonymes
ignore (To choose not to give meaning or attention to something.)
Collocations
interpret as a compliment
|interpret as a threat
|interpret data as evidence
Thèmes
thinking
|opinions
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Exemples
- I interpreted his silence as agreement.
- They interpreted the results as proof of their theory.
- She interpreted his smile as a sign of approval.
Exemples pédagogiques
- I interpreted his words as a joke.
- She interpreted my look as anger.
- They interpreted the noise as danger.
Grammaire
Forme canonique
interpret
API
GB/ɪntˈɚpɹət/
US/ɪntˈɚpɹət/
Syllabes et accentuation
in - ter - pret (3 syllabes)
Stress on 2nd syllable (ter)
Formes du mot
Verb
- Base: interpret
- 3rd Person Singular: interprets
- Present Participle: interpreting
- Past: interpreted
Famille de mots
Forms
interprets
verb
interpreting
verb
interpreted
verb
Core family
interpretation
noun B1
interpreter
noun B1
Related words
interpretive
adjective
reinterpret
verb
Negative and opposite forms
misinterpret
verb
misinterpretation
noun
Advanced or less common
interpretable
adjective
uninterpretable
adjective
Expressions
interpret as
1/ɪntˈɚpɹət ˈæz/
fixed phrase
Understand something in a specific way
To understand something as having a certain meaning.
Exemples
- She interpreted his comment as an insult.
- I wouldn't interpret his delay as a lack of interest.
interpret for someone
1/ɪntˈɚpɹət fɚ sˈʌmwˌʌn/
fixed phrase
Translate spoken words for someone instantly
To change what someone says into another language right away for them.
Exemples
- She will interpret for the guest during the interview.
- He interpreted for the doctor and patient.
open to interpretation
1/ˈoʊpən tə ɪntˌɚpɹɪtˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
Able to be understood differently
Something that can be understood in more than one way.
Exemples
- The ending of the movie is open to interpretation.
- His message was vague and open to interpretation.
open to interpretation
2/ˈoʊpən tə ɪntˌɚpɹɪtˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
can be understood differently
Something that can have more than one meaning or explanation.
Exemples
- The ending of the movie is open to interpretation.
- His words are open to interpretation, so be careful.