번역하다
beonyeokhada[pʌ̹ɲʌ̹kʰa̠da̠]
The Korean verb for 'translate' is 번역하다 (beonyeokhada).
번역하다 is used specifically to mean changing written text from one language to another. You may also encounter 해석하다, which can mean to both interpret or to translate.
Meaning: to change spoken words or written text from one language to another (verb)
Which one should you use?
Use 번역하다 for written text and 통역하다 for spoken language (to interpret).
How does it change in a sentence?
The past tense is 번역했다 (translated) and the future tense is 번역할 것이다 (will translate). For different social contexts, you can use the polite form 번역해요 or the formal/honorific form 번역합니다. Additionally, the noun for a person who performs this work is 번역가 (translator).
How do you pronounce it?
beonyeokhada
Did you know?
- The phrase 초월번역 refers to a 'transcendental translation' where a translator intentionally changes the original text to make it more funny or culturally relevant for the reader.
- The Hanja used in 번역 (飜譯) features the character 飜, which originally depicted a bird flapping its wings to turn or overturn something.
- While 번역하다 is for text, the word 통역하다 for oral interpretation comes from the Hanja roots meaning 'to pass through the mouth'.
Examples in context
- 번역하다.Translate.Tatoeba #13118386 by romzzo, translation #13075380 by IstTiat
- 이 문서를 영어로 번역해 주실 수 있으신가요?Can you translate this document into English, please?
Sources
- Wiktionary, “translate” translations and entries 번역하다, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 번역하다, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
