intérprete
/inˈteɾpɾete/feminine, masculine
The English word 'interpreter' is intérprete in Spanish. Wiktionary also lists trujamán and truchimán.
Meaning: one who interprets a language (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| intérprete | /inˈteɾpɾete/ | feminine, masculine |
| trujamán | /tɾuxaman/ (from spelling rules) | masculine |
| truchimán | /tɾut͡ʃiˈman/ | masculine |
| drogmán | /dɾoɡman/ (from spelling rules) | masculine |
| dragomán | /dɾaɡoˈman/ | masculine, rare |
| trujimán | /tɾuximan/ (from spelling rules) | masculine, rare |
An intérprete is a person who translates spoken language between people.
Which one should you use?
In Spanish, use intérprete for someone who translates spoken language, whereas traductor refers to a person who translates written text.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The terms trujamán, truchimán, drogmán, dragomán and trujimán are archaic or literary and are not used in modern everyday conversation.
How does it change in a sentence?
To form the plural of intérprete, add -s to get intérpretes.
How do you pronounce it?
/inˈteɾpɾete/
Did you know?
- An intérprete in Spanish can also refer to a musician who performs a piece of music, rather than someone translating words.
- The archaic Spanish word trujamán was borrowed from the Arabic word turjumān, which itself comes from a Persian root.
- The archaic term dragomán is actually a Spanish adaptation of an Ottoman Turkish title used for high-ranking diplomatic intermediaries.
Examples in context
- No necesito un intérprete.I don't need an interpreter.This sentence is useful for expressing that you do not need an intérprete.Tatoeba #9150648 by Galko, translation #3126695 by CK
- Ella le contrató de intérprete.She hired him as an interpreter.This sentence is useful for describing hiring someone in the role of an intérprete.Tatoeba #892173 by Shishir, translation #887210 by CK
- Él la contrató como intérprete.He engaged her as an interpreter.This sentence is useful for describing engaging someone as an intérprete.Tatoeba #1636239 by marcelostockle, translation #302905 by CM
- El intérprete ayudó a la delegación a comunicarse eficientemente durante la conferencia.The interpreter helped the delegation communicate efficiently during the conference.
- La empresa contrató a un traductor profesional para las reuniones internacionales.The company hired a professional interpreter for the international meetings.
- Necesitamos la presencia de un traductor público para el testimonio del testigo.We need a public interpreter present for the witness testimony.
- 25 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A conference room where a professional assistant is helping a client.
- Javier¿Es usted la intérprete de la conferencia?Are you the interpreter for the conference?
- LucíaSí, soy la intérprete de este evento.Yes, I am the interpreter for this event.
- JavierPerfecto, el cliente necesita un intérprete bilingüe.Perfect, the client needs a bilingual interpreter.
- LucíaNo hay problema, yo puedo ayudarle.No problem, I can help him.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “interpreter” translations and entries intérprete, trujamán, truchimán, dragomán, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries intérprete, truchimán, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
