interpret
v.v. to explain the meaning of something or translate it into another language. You also use this when you decide what a piece of information or a situation means.
v. to explain the meaning of information, words, or actions; to translate spoken language orally. In a technical context, to execute a program by translating source code into machine instructions line by line.
How do you interpret the results of this survey?
The diplomat needed a professional to interpret her speech for the local audience in real time.
Scholars often interpret the author's silence on the matter as a subtle form of protest against the prevailing political climate of the era.
From Middle English interpreten, from Old French enterpreter, (French interpréter), from Latin interpretor (“to explain, expound, interpret”), past participle interpretatus, from interpres (“an agent, broker, explainer, interpreter, negotiator”), from inter (“between”) + -pres, probably the root of pretium (“price”); -pres is probably connected with Ancient Greek φράζειν (phrázein, “to point out, show, explain, declare, speak”), from which φραδή (phradḗ, “understanding”), φράσις (phrásis, “speech”); see phrase.
The verb is transitive and takes a direct object. When used for translation, it specifically refers to oral communication rather than written text.
He interpreted the book into French.He translated the book into French.Interpret refers to oral translation or explaining meaning; translate is the correct term for converting written text between languages.