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📕 rednote ID(小红书号)：3881567312

Interpret: Definition, Usage & Common Errors (2 meaning)

Meaning 1：explain the meaning (interpret)

interpret 🔊

/ɪnˈtɜːprɪt/

To explain what something means, or understand something in a certain way.

Interpret meaning illustrated: person explaining abstract art in a modern gallery.

explain the meaning 🔊

➕

/ɪkˈspleɪn ðə ˈmiːnɪŋ/

To provide an explanation or understanding of something, such as a text, artwork, or event.

📁 Category：Culture & History 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Latin 'interpretari' (to explain, translate).

💡 Mnemonic

An INTERpreter PRETends to understand and convey meaning between parties.

📖 Example

The artist refused to interpret her abstract painting, saying she wanted each viewer to find their own meaning. 🔊 The artist declined to explain the meaning of her abstract painting, preferring viewers to develop their own understanding.

🔗 Collocations

interpret a dream – to explain the supposed meaning of a dream

interpret the law – to explain the meaning and application of a legal statute

interpret data – to analyze and explain the significance of information

🔄 Synonyms

explain (v.) – to make something clear or easy to understand

construe (v.) – to understand or explain the meaning of something in a particular way

decipher (v.) – to succeed in understanding or interpreting something complex

🚫 Antonyms

misinterpret (v.) – to understand or explain something wrongly

confuse (v.) – to make something unclear or hard to understand

🌱 Derivatives

interpretation (n.) – an explanation or way of explaining

interpretive (adj.) – relating to or providing an interpretation

📖 Cultural Story

Originates from Latin 'interpretari'. Entered English via Old French. Key modern uses include interpreting legal texts and providing real-time translation at international conferences.

Meaning 2：translate orally (interpret)

interpret 🔊

/ɪnˈtɜːprɪt/

To translate spoken words from one language to another in real time.

Interpret as oral translation: professional interpreter working in a conference booth.

translate orally 🔊

➕

/trænsˈleɪt ˈɔːrəli/

To orally translate spoken words from one language to another, often in real time.

📁 Category：Language Evolution 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

At the international conference, the skilled interpreter had to interpret the speaker's fast-paced English into Mandarin simultaneously. 🔊 During the international conference, the expert interpreter needed to translate the speaker's rapid English into Mandarin at the same moment.

🔗 Collocations

interpret simultaneously – to translate speech in real-time as it is spoken

interpret for a delegate – to provide oral translation services for an official representative

interpret consecutively – to translate speech after the speaker pauses

🔄 Synonyms

translate (v.) – to express the sense of words or text in another language

render (v.) – to express something in another language or form

🚫 Antonyms

mangle (v.) – to spoil or ruin something, such as a translation, by making mistakes

🌱 Derivatives

interpreter (n.) – a person who translates speech orally

interpreting (n.) – the activity of orally translating speech