Translation guide
A person who translates spoken language in real time. Japanese distinguishes between interpreters (spoken) and translators (written), and has specific terms for different interpreting modes.
A person who interprets spoken language between two or more parties.
The standard word for an interpreter of spoken language. Can refer to the person or the act of interpreting.
彼女は会議で通訳を務めた。
She served as an interpreter at the conference.
通訳を呼んでもらえますか？
Could you call an interpreter?
Explicitly refers to the person who interprets. Slightly more formal than 通訳 alone.
プロの通訳者が必要です。
We need a professional interpreter.
An older or more formal term for interpreter, sometimes used in legal or official contexts.
裁判所の通訳人が同席した。
A court interpreter was present.
An interpreter who translates while the speaker is talking, often used at conferences.
Refers to simultaneous interpreting or the interpreter who does it. Often used in compound form.
同時通訳の経験がありますか？
Do you have experience in simultaneous interpreting?
Explicitly refers to a simultaneous interpreter as a person.
彼は国連の同時通訳者だ。
He is a simultaneous interpreter at the UN.
An interpreter who translates after the speaker pauses.
Refers to consecutive interpreting or the interpreter. Common in business and legal settings.
逐次通訳でお願いします。
Please use consecutive interpreting.
Explicitly refers to a consecutive interpreter.
逐次通訳者を手配しました。
We have arranged a consecutive interpreter.
Clarifying the difference between spoken and written translation professionals.
Japanese clearly distinguishes between 通訳 (interpreter, spoken) and 翻訳 (translator, written). Using the wrong one can cause confusion.
通訳は話し言葉、翻訳は書き言葉を扱います。
Interpreters handle spoken language, translators handle written language.
A program that interprets and executes code.
Loanword from English, used in computing for a program that directly executes instructions.
Pythonはインタープリタ言語です。
Python is an interpreted language.
通訳 (tsūyaku) is for spoken language, 翻訳 (hon'yaku) is for written texts. Do not use 翻訳 for an interpreter.
彼は通訳者で、翻訳者ではない。
He is an interpreter, not a translator.
The English word 'interpreter' can refer to both spoken and computer contexts. In Japanese, use 通訳 for people and インタープリタ for software. Using 通訳 for a computer interpreter sounds odd.