Japanese word

通訳

Pronunciation

Romajitsūyaku

Meaning

  • nouninterpretation

Example

国際会議では通訳が必要です。koku sai kai gi de wa tsū yaku ga hitsu yō de su

Interpretation is needed at international meetings.

Illustration for 通訳 (interpretation)

More examples

海外の取引先との会話では、通訳を介して話しました。kai gai no torihiki saki to no kai wa de wa tsū yaku o kai shi te hana shi ma shi ta

I spoke through an interpreter during a conversation with an overseas business partner.

Core concept

It transfers spoken meaning from one language to another so that people can communicate, referring to both interpreting and an interpreter.

Common phrases

  • 同時通訳dō ji tsū yaku

    simultaneous interpretation

  • 通訳を務めるtsū yaku o tsuto me ru

    serve as an interpreter

  • 通訳を介してtsū yaku o kai shi te

    through an interpreter

Similar words

通訳者tsūyakusha: A person who conveys spoken meaning from one language to another.

Definition in Japanese

話し手の発言内容を聞き取り、別の言語で相手に伝えること。また、それを行う人。hana shi te no hatsu gen nai yō o ki ki to ri betsu no gen go de ai te ni tsuta e ru ko to ma ta so re o okona u hito

Word origin

The compound 通訳 (tsūyaku) joins 通 (tsū, "go through") with 訳 (yaku, "translation"), expressing the transfer of meaning from one language to another.

Usage tips

  • The English pair interpretation and interpreter separates the act from the person, but 通訳 (tsūyaku) is used for both in contexts such as international meetings.

Other meanings

  • interpreternoun

Related words

  • 通訳者tsūyakushainterpreternoun

Word lists with this word