Correct
翻 vs 翻译
/ fān vs fānyì /
Strokes
Definition
翻 (fān) and 翻译 (fānyì), both words mean "to put the words from one language into another".
翻 also means "to turn over, to reverse, to multiply, etc", but we are not concerned with these meanings here.
Here’s the key difference (to translate):
| Word | Meaning (in translation) | Usage Context | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| 翻 (fān) | Informal, casual "translate" (often slang or spoken) | Rare in formal writing; mostly used in online slang or quick speech | ✅ "帮我翻一下这句话。" ("Help me translate this sentence.") (casual) |
| 翻译 (fānyì) | Standard, official "translate/translation" | Used in all formal & informal contexts (writing, speech, professional settings) | ✅ "请把文件翻译成英文。" ("Please translate the document into English.") |
Key Differences
Formality:
- 翻 (fān) → Casual/slang (e.g., online chats, quick speech).
- 翻译 (fānyì) → Standard term (used in , documents, professional work).
Usage:
- 翻 is not standard for "translate" – it’s slang (like saying "trans" instead of "translate" in English).
- 翻译 is the correct word for all translation-related contexts.
Grammar:
- 翻 is only a verb (cannot be a noun).
- 翻译 can be both a verb and noun (e.g., "他是翻译" – "He is a translator.").
When to Use Which?
- Use 翻 only in:
- Casual speech (e.g., texting friends: "这句话怎么翻？").
- Internet slang (e.g., "机翻" – "machine translation").
- Use 翻译 in:
- All formal writing (e.g., academic papers, business documents).
- Professional settings (e.g., "我需要一个翻译" – "I need a translator.").
Summary
- 翻 (fān) → Casual/slang "translate" (use carefully).
- 翻译 (fānyì) → Standard "translate/translation" (always correct).
Example
翻 is more colloquial than 翻译, 翻译can also be used as a noun to mean translator, 翻 is not a noun.
In examples ① and ② the two words are interchangeable but the style is different. Both words can take complements such as 好, 错, 过来, 得……, etc. and have the same function.
1
Tā
他
bǎ
把
zhè
这
piān
篇
yīngwén
英文
xiǎoshuō
小说
fān
翻
(
fānyì
翻译
)
chéng
成
zhōngwén
中文
le
了
。
He has translated the English novel into Chinese.
2
Gǎozi
稿子
fān
翻
(
fānyì
翻译
)
wán
完
le
了
。
The manuscript has been translated.
3
Zīliào
资料
dōu
都
fān
翻
(
fānyì
翻译
)
hǎo
好
le
了
。
AIl the materials have been translated.
4
Zhè
这
běn
本
shū
书
fān
翻
(
fānyì
翻译
)
de
得
zěnmeyàng
怎么样
?
How do you like the translating of the book?
5
Wǒ
我
yào
要
bǎ
把
zhè
这
běn
本
yīngwén
英文
xiǎoshuō
小说
fān
翻
(
fānyì
翻译
)
chéng
成
zhōngwén
中文
。
I want to translate this English novel into Chinese.
In the following situations where a disyllabic word is needed, 翻译 is used, not 翻.
6
Jīngguò
经过
fānyì
翻译
,
yuánzuò
原作
de
的
wèidao
味道
jiǎnsè
减色
bùshǎo
不少
。
There are a lot of meaning losses in the translated work.
7
Tā
他
shì
是
zuò
做
fānyì
翻译
gōngzuò
工作
de
的
。
He works as a translator.
通过 also needs a disyllabic word as the object, so 翻译 is used, not 翻.
8
Tāmen
他们
liǎng
两
gè
个
rén
人
jiāotán
交谈
,
yào
要
tōngguò
通过
xiǎowáng
小王
fānyì
翻译
。
Xiao Wang is their interpreter.
翻译, as a Noun, refers to translator, interpreter.
翻 cannot be used in such a way.
9
Tā
他
shì
是
fānyì
翻译
。
He is a translator.
10
Tā
她
dāng
当
guò
过
hǎoxiē
好些
nián
年
fānyì
翻译
。
She worked as a translator for many years.
Mistake
❌ 这本书的翻很好。
✅ 这本书的翻译很好。
✅ 帮我翻（翻译）成中文。