translate to

USAGE SUMMARY

"translate to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are referring to the process of converting something into another language. For example, "This French text needs to be translated to English."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

What does that translate to?

The New York Times - Sports

Likability does not translate to agreeability.

The New York Times

And that will translate to more delays.

The New York Times

Will sales translate to awards for Adele?

The New York Times

How did that translate to the page?

The New Yorker

How does this translate to the page?

The New Yorker

Just remember: smiles translate to happiness".

The New Yorker

But this doesn't translate to university.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Does it translate to more sales?

The New York Times

It didn't translate to the mountains, though.

The Guardian - Film

"It doesn't translate to other men.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "translate to", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being converted and the target form or language. For example, "High sales don't always translate to high profits".

Common error

Avoid using "translate to" when you actually mean "translate from". "Translate to" indicates the target language or form, while "translate from" indicates the original language or form.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "translate to" functions primarily as a phrasal verb, indicating the conversion or transformation of something into another form, language, or outcome. As Ludwig AI explains, it describes a process of changing something from one state to another. Examples in Ludwig show it being used in diverse contexts such as sales translating to awards or smiles translating to happiness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

27%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "translate to" is a versatile phrasal verb signifying the conversion or transformation of something into another form or outcome. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and widely accepted. Predominantly found in news, media, and scientific contexts, the phrase maintains a neutral register, suitable for both formal and informal settings. It's essential to differentiate "translate to" from "translate from" to ensure accurate communication. The examples in Ludwig underline the phrase's use in expressing how actions or qualities can transform into tangible results.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

convert into

Focuses on changing the form or substance of something.

transform into

Similar to "convert", but implies a more significant change.

interpret as

Emphasizes assigning a particular meaning or significance.

equate to

Highlights the equivalence or sameness of two things.

amount to

Highlights the final result or total effect.

mean

Focuses on the simple denotation or signification of something.

result in

Focuses on the consequence or outcome of an action.

correspond to

Emphasizes a direct relationship or mapping between two things.

lead to

Emphasizes the progression or chain of events.

boil down to

Highlights simplifying a complex issue to its core elements.

FAQs

How can I use "translate to" in a sentence?

You can use "translate to" when indicating the resulting form or language after a conversion. For example, "His enthusiasm didn't "translate to" success" or "The document needs to "translate to" Spanish".

What's a good alternative for "translate to"?

Alternatives include "convert into", "interpret as", or "amount to", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "translate in" instead of "translate to"?

No, it's not typically correct. "Translate to" is the standard and grammatically correct form. "Translate in" might be used in very specific, non-standard contexts, but should generally be avoided.

What's the difference between "translate to" and "translate from"?

"Translate to" indicates the destination or resulting language/form, while "translate from" indicates the source language. For instance, "translate to English" vs. "translate from French".