translation
trans·lat·ion/tɹænzˈleɪʃən/noun
translation is spelled T-R-A-N-S-L-A-T-I-O-N: 11 letters and 3 syllables (trans·lat·ion). It appears 25 times per million words in written English, the 3,683rd most frequent word form (wordfreq, 2021 data). As a noun, translation means “The conversion of text from one language to another” (English Wiktionary, September 2026). The plural of translation is translations.
How many letters and syllables are in translation?
| Letters | 11: T-R-A-N-S-L-A-T-I-O-N |
|---|---|
| Syllables | 3: trans·lat·ion |
| In writing | 25 times per million words; the 3,683rd most frequent word form |
| Wrong spellings searched | none measured in search |
| Rhymes with |
Sources: letters and syllables from the English Wiktionary's hyphenation or pronunciation; written frequency: wordfreq 3.1 (a 2021 snapshot of Wikipedia, subtitles, news, books, web text and social media); rhymes and same-letter words are computed by PlainSpell from its own word list.
How common is translation?
Translation appears 25 times per million words in written English, the 3,683rd most frequent word form in the list.
Source: written frequency: wordfreq 3.1 (a 2021 snapshot of Wikipedia, subtitles, news, books, web text and social media).
How do you pronounce translation?
- UK /tɹænzˈleɪʃən/
- UK /tɹæns-/
- UK /tɹɑːnz-/
Translation has 3 syllables, split trans·lat·ion in writing.
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract). Recordings: LL-Q1860_(eng)-Vealhurl-translation.wav, En-us-translation.ogg, Wikimedia Commons (author and licence on each file's page).
What rhymes with translation?
The 12 most written words on PlainSpell end in the same sounds as translation from its last stressed vowel (/eɪʃən/, British pronunciation):
- aviation
- determination
- delegation
- authorization
- degradation
- deportation
- inauguration
- deprivation
- depreciation
- visualization
- denomination
- deforestation
Computed by PlainSpell from the pronunciations in the English Wiktionary (dump of September 2, 2026): a rhyme shares every sound from the last stressed vowel to the end; ordered by written frequency (wordfreq 3.1).
Forms of translation
- translations plural
- tr.
- trans.
- transl.
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract).
What does translation mean?
The meanings the English Wiktionary records, quoted as written there (source below).
noun
- 1
The conversion of text from one language to another.
This old text needs translation into modern English before it is published.
- 2
The discipline or study of translating written language (as opposed to interpretation, which concerns itself with spoken language).
- 3
The conversion of something from one form or medium to another.
- 4
A motion or compulsion to motion in a straight line without rotation or other deformation.
- 5
A relation between two mathematical figures such as a straight line where the coordinates of each point in one figure is a constant added to the coordinates of a corresponding point in the other figure.
- 6
The process whereby a strand of mRNA directs assembly of amino acids into proteins within a ribosome.
- 7
A transfer of motion occurring within a gearbox.
- 8
The automatic retransmission of a telegraph message.
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract).
How do you abbreviate translation?
Wiktionary records 4 abbreviations of translation: TL, trans, trans., transl..
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract).
Translation in Spanish, French, German and Portuguese
| Language | Words |
|---|---|
| French | traduction , transmission , translation |
| German | Übersetzung, Übersetzen , Untersetzung , Translation |
| Portuguese | tradução , transmissão , translação |
| Spanish | traducción , transmisión , traslación |
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract). Translations are Wiktionary's, by sense; a linked word has its own PlainSpell page.
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”). Equivalent to translate + -ion. Displaced native Old English wending.
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract).