μεταφράζω
metafrázo/me.taˈfɾa.zo/
To translate in Greek is μεταφράζω (metafrázo).
The verb μεταφράζω means to change spoken words or written text from one language to another.
Meaning: to change spoken words or written text from one language to another (verb)
How does it change in a sentence?
The third-person plural form is μεταφράζουν (metafrázoūn).
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /me.taˈfɾa.zo/. It has 4 syllables and the stress is on the 3rd syllable.
Did you know?
- A Greek speaker might use the verb μεταφράζω metaphorically to mean 'to interpret' or 'to explain' a difficult person's behavior, not just text.
- In religious contexts, the 'Septuagint' is the most famous early example of μετάφραση, as it translated the Hebrew Bible into Greek, shaping the terminology for centuries.
- The root word φράζω originally meant 'to show' or 'to make known' rather than 'to speak'. Translating is thus conceptually seen as 'showing' a text in a different way.
Examples in context
- Είμαι μεταφραστής. Μεταφράζω βιβλία.I'm a translator. I translate books.This sentence shows the use of μεταφράζω in the context of a professional translator.Tatoeba #5554046 by Zeus, translation #3352780 by LanguageExpert
- Μεταφράζω μόνο τις προτάσεις που μου αρέσουν.I only translate those sentences I like.This sentence uses μεταφράζω to describe translating specific sentences.Tatoeba #13799464 by carlosalberto, translation #13799327 by maaster
- Δεν μου αρέσει να μεταφράζω μεγάλες προτάσεις.I don't like to translate long sentences.This sentence uses μεταφράζω to express a preference regarding the length of sentences translated.Tatoeba #12171161 by carlosalberto, translation #12171152 by carlosalberto
- Αν μπορείτε να μεταφράσετε αυτό το έγγραφο στα Ελληνικά, θα σας ευγνωμονήσω.If you can translate this document into Greek, I would be grateful.
- Έχεις τις μεταφράσεις κάποιου για αυτήν την ταινία;Do you have someone's subtitles for this movie?
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Giorgos and Eleni are studying together in a library.
- Γιώργος GiorgosΜπορείς να μου το μεταφράζεις στα ελληνικά;Boreis na mou to metafraseis sta ellinika?Can you translate it into Greek for me?
- Ελένη EleniΝαι, αλλά δεν ξέρω τη λέξη αυτή.Nai, alla den ksero ti lexi afti.Yes, but I don't know this word.
- Γιώργος GiorgosΤότε θα το μεταφράζω εγώ μόνος μου.Tote tha to metafraso ego monos mou.Then I will translate it by myself.
- Ελένη EleniΕντάξει, Γιώργο, καλή τύχη!Entaxei, Giorgo, kali tychi!Alright, Giorgos, good luck!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “translate” translations and entries μεταφράζω, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries μεταφράζω, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
