interpret

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

• How do you interpret this message?
• He interpreted my smile as a sign of approval.
• The results can be interpreted in several ways.

How to use it: interpret something as something (She interpreted his silence as agreement.); interpret something to mean that… (We interpreted the message to mean that the meeting was cancelled.)

Similar words: understand, explain, read

Common phrases: interpret something as, interpret the results, interpret a dream

To tell someone in another language what a speaker is saying.

• Can you interpret for me?
• He interpreted during the meeting.
• She interprets between spoken English and sign language.

How to use it: interpret for someone (Could you interpret for our visitors?); interpret from something into something (She interprets from Spanish into English.)

Similar words: translate

Common phrases: interpret for someone, interpret into english, interpret at meetings

To translate someone's spoken words into another language while they are speaking.

• Can you interpret for us?
• She interpreted the minister's speech into Spanish.
• He has interpreted at international conferences for years.

How to use it: interpret for someone (She interpreted for the visitors during the tour.); interpret from one language into another (He interprets from French into English.)

Similar words: translate orally

Common phrases: interpret for someone, interpret into english, interpret a speech

To show your understanding of a character or piece of music through your performance.

• She interprets the role with warmth.
• Each pianist interpreted the piece differently.
• How would you interpret this character on stage?

Similar words: perform, portray

Common phrases: interpret a role, interpret a character, interpret a piece