Definitions

(verb) to translate; to interpret

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound. Simplified form of .

Semantic:

About

The character "译", meaning to translate, originates from the traditional form "譯", which integrates the semantic radical "言" associated with speech and the phonetic element "睪" that originally indicated pronunciation. Over time, structural refinements led to the simplified version "译", where the left component "讠" serves as an abbreviation for "言" and the right element "乚" represents a reduced form of "睪". While the core concept of linguistic interpretation has remained stable, its usage has occasionally expanded to include acts of explanation or paraphrase, reflecting its enduring role in conveying meaning across languages. The character's evolution in written form demonstrates a continuity in its phonetic and semantic foundations despite graphical streamlining.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Seal etymology image
Seal Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

很重要。

Fānyì hěn zhòngyào.

Translation is very important.

他正在翻一本书。

Tā zhèngzài fānyì yī běn shū.

He is translating a book.

我们需要一名好翻

Wǒmen xūyào yī míng hǎo fānyì.

We need a good translator.

她把中文诗成英文。

Tā bǎ zhōngwén shī yì chéng yīngwén.

She translates Chinese poetry into English.

这篇文很准确。

Zhè piān yìwén hěn zhǔnquè.

This translation is very accurate.

软件有时会出错。

Fānyì ruǎnjiàn yǒushí huì chūcuò.

Translation software sometimes makes mistakes.

他不仅翻小说,还翻电影字幕。

Tā bùjǐn fānyì xiǎoshuō, hái fānyì diànyǐng zìmù.

He not only translates novels but also movie subtitles.

跨文化交际中,翻起着桥梁作用。

Kuà wénhuà jiāojì zhōng, fānyì qǐzhe qiáoliáng zuòyòng.

In cross-cultural communication, translation plays a bridging role.