How to pronounce translation
Say it like tranz-LAY-shun. Translation has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (LAY).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce translation. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- tranz
- LAY
- shun
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Translation pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- tranzKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- LAYSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
- shunKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of translation
American and British speakers say translation in essentially the same way: /trænzˈleɪʃən/ in the US and /ˌtrænzˈleɪʃən/ in the UK.
British respelling: tranz-LAY-shun.
What does translation mean?
- a written communication in a second language having the same meaning as the written communication in a first language
- a uniform movement without rotation
- the act of changing in form or shape or appearance“a photograph is a translation of a scene onto a two-dimensional surface”
Where does translation come from?
From Middle English translacioun (“transfer, translation”), from Anglo-Norman translacioun, from Latin trānslātiō, from trānslāt-, the supine stem of trānsferō (“to transfer, transport, transform, translate”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with translation
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of translation.
Questions about saying translation
How do you pronounce translation?
Say tranz-LAY-shun. The American pronunciation is /trænzˈleɪʃən/. In British English it is /ˌtrænzˈleɪʃən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in translation?
Translation has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (LAY). Broken into parts: tranz · LAY · shun.
Do Americans and Brits say translation the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /trænzˈleɪʃən/ and the British form is /ˌtrænzˈleɪʃən/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.