通訳|つうやくtsuuyaku[1]atamadaka (head-high)

JLPT N2approx.Common
Definitions
  1. noun, suru verb, transitive verbinterpretation (i.e. oral translation)
  2. nouninterpreter
    彼かれは彼女かのじょを通訳つうやくとして雇やとった。↗
    He engaged her as an interpreter.
Conjugation
Dictionary form通訳する(つうやくする)
Polite (masu)通訳します(つうやくします)
Negative (nai)通訳しない(つうやくしない)
polite (masen)通訳しません(つうやくしません)
classical zu / nu通訳せず・通訳せぬ(つうやくせず・つうやくせぬ)
Past (ta)通訳した(つうやくした)
polite (mashita)通訳しました(つうやくしました)
Past negative (nakatta)通訳しなかった(つうやくしなかった)
polite (masen deshita)通訳しませんでした(つうやくしませんでした)
Te form通訳して(つうやくして)
Potential通訳できる(つうやくできる)
Passive通訳される(つうやくされる)
Causative通訳させる(つうやくさせる)
Causative passive通訳させられる(つうやくさせられる)
Conditional (ba)通訳すれば(つうやくすれば)
tara通訳したら(つうやくしたら)
Volitional通訳しよう(つうやくしよう)
polite (mashou)通訳しましょう(つうやくしましょう)
Imperative通訳しろ(つうやくしろ)

Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.

Synonyms & antonyms
  • Synonym通事つうじWrittenHistorical term for an interpreter, above all the Edo-period officials who interpreted Dutch or Chinese; no longer used in modern Japanese.
  • Synonym通弁つうべんWrittenOld-fashioned word for interpreting or an interpreter, common in the Meiji era but rare today; 「通訳」 is the normal choice now.
  • Synonym舌人WrittenArchaic word for someone who interprets between languages; it is virtually never used today.

Use 「通訳」 for oral interpretation and interpreters (「翻訳」 is for written translation). 「通事」 and 「通弁」 are old historical names for the same job, and 「舌人」 is archaic; none of them is in everyday use now.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

Japanese definitions
  1. 違ちがう言語げんごを話はなす人ひとたちの間あいだに入はいって互たがいの言語げんごに翻訳ほんやくして伝え合つたえあうこと。
  2. 1.を行おこなう人ひと。
Kanji in this word
English equivalents

JLPT vocabulary levels are community estimates, not official (no official lists have been published since the 2010 revision).

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