Definition
意译 contrasts with 直译 (literal translation): it prioritizes conveying the original meaning and natural expression in the target language over word-for-word correspondence. You use it when a direct translation would sound awkward or miss the point — for idioms, metaphors, and culturally specific terms. The term is a noun referring to the method or the resulting translation.
n
free translation (translating meaning rather than literal words)
Examples
- “”意译“killtwobirdswithonestone”。Chéngyǔ 'yī shí èr niǎo' tōngcháng yào yì yì chéng 'kill two birds with one stone'.The idiom 'one stone, two birds' is usually freely translated as 'kill two birds with one stone'.
- 意译。yì yì bǐ zhíyì gèng néng bǎoliú yuánwén de yǔgǎn.Free translation preserves the original text's feel better than literal translation.
- ，意译。Fānyì shīgē shí, yì yì wǎngwǎng bǐ zhíyì gèng héshì.When translating poetry, free translation is often more suitable than literal translation.
Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.