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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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I translated that

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I translated that" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the act of converting text from one language to another, indicating that you have completed the translation. Example: "After hours of work, I finally translated that document from Spanish to English."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

I translated that into a more common word: dark.

I translated that as meaning that Margaret, despite her air of defeat, was winning the makeover and would turn out pretty much the same.

(Yes, I translated that myself. Thanks, college!).

News & Media

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Not the French, because I speak French; but all the other weird languages, I'd have it translated that way so I could read it from cards.

News & Media

Independent

All I said was: "tôi có nhúc dâù." Loosely translated that means "I have a headache".

News & Media

The New York Times

"I translate that into what's doable".

News & Media

The New York Times

"The Old Testament God repeatedly says he wants praise, and I translate that to mean that the world wants describing," he once explained to an interviewer.

News & Media

The New Yorker

Occasionally, I get a "Good" (that's when I know they haven't read it properly) and, one or two times recently, I've had silence, followed by a studious "Mmmm... ...... (I translate that as "Utter rubbish, but you're the boss so who are we to argue?").

News & Media

Independent

So when Gates says Microsoft isn't pursuing deals, what I translate that to is "We really, really want to buy Yahoo".

News & Media

TechCrunch

I translate that into something straightforward as we depict in the story.

News & Media

Vice

I don't know about you, but I translate that as Uncharted series developers Naughty Dog caring more about their game being a quality, reliable, smooth and consistent experience over one that runs at a frame rate that might be achievable, but at the risk of compromising the player's enjoyment.

News & Media

Vice
Show more...

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I translated that" when you want to emphasize your role in converting text or speech from one language to another. For clarity, specify the languages involved (e.g., "I translated that from French to English").

Common error

Avoid using "I translated that" without providing context about what was translated or why it's relevant. The statement is more effective when followed by the source and target languages, or the purpose of the translation.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

89%

Authority and reliability

4.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I translated that" functions as a declarative statement where the speaker asserts their completion of a translation task. It conveys information about a completed action, as Ludwig's AI analysis confirms. The phrase implies a transformation from one language to another, highlighting the translator's role in this process.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I translated that" is a grammatically sound phrase used to declare the completion of a translation task. As Ludwig’s analysis confirms, it is most commonly found in news and media contexts. While semantically clear, the phrase benefits from added context specifying the languages involved. Consider using alternatives like "I rendered that" or "I converted that" depending on the nuance you wish to convey. Ensure the context clarifies what was translated and why, avoiding overuse without necessary background. This ensures effective communication and prevents ambiguity.

FAQs

How can I use "I translated that" in a sentence?

You can use "I translated that" to indicate that you converted something from one language to another. For example: "The original document was in German; I translated that into English for the team."

What's the difference between "I translated that" and "I interpreted that"?

"I translated that" refers specifically to converting text from one language to another. "I interpreted that", on the other hand, means you explained the meaning or significance of something, which could be in the same language.

What can I say instead of "I translated that"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "I rendered that", "I converted that", or "I paraphrased that".

Is it necessary to specify the languages when using "I translated that"?

Specifying the languages (e.g., "I translated that from Spanish to English") provides clarity and avoids ambiguity, especially when the context doesn't make the languages obvious.

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Source & Trust

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Authority and reliability

4.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: