translate

To express spoken or written words in another language.

• Can you translate this word?
• He translated the book into Spanish.
• These instructions have been translated into six languages.

How to use it: translate something from A into B (She translated the letter from French into English.); translate something for someone (Could you translate this message for me?)

Common phrases: translate a book, translate into english, translate from french

To lead to a particular result or effect.

• Hard work can translate into success.
• The extra training translated into better results.
• Will these promises translate into real improvements?

How to use it: translate into something (More website visits do not always translate into higher sales.)

Similar words: lead to, result in

Common phrases: translate into success, translate into profits, translate into votes

To turn something into a different form, such as a film, picture, or action.

• We must translate our ideas into action.
• The director translated the story into a film.
• She translates complex data into simple pictures.

How to use it: translate something into something (The artist translated her memories into colourful paintings.); translate something to something (They translated the novel to the stage.)

Similar words: convert, transform, adapt

Common phrases: translate into film, translate into action, translate a vision, translate to film

To be useful or work successfully in a different situation.

• These skills translate well to office work.
• His success at school did not translate to the workplace.
• Does this approach translate well to smaller teams?

How to use it: translate to something (Her teaching skills translate well to managing a team.); translate across something (These jokes do not translate across cultures.)

Similar words: transfer, carry over

Common phrases: translate well, translate to something, translate across cultures