adjective
untranslatable
un-tranz-LAY-tuh-bul
Untranslatable (adjective) means not able to be translated. Example: “Some jokes are untranslatable because they depend on a pun.”
adjective
1
Not able to be translated.
"Some jokes are untranslatable because they depend on a pun."
"The translator called the poem's final line untranslatable."
"Many people feel that certain words in their own language are untranslatable."
noun
1
A word or phrase that cannot be translated satisfactorily from one language into another.
"The essay collects untranslatables from a dozen languages."
"For her, the best untranslatable is a word with no single English equivalent."
"Translators often argue over which untranslatables are truly impossible to render."
How to use untranslatable
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomething, usually a word or phrase, that cannot be properly put into another language.
When to use it
It is a standard word, used in everyday talk about language as well as in writing about translation.
Memory tip
Use it of meaning that is lost in translation, not of text you simply cannot read.
Trace the full origin ↓
Common pairings
an untranslatable word
an untranslatable phrase
an untranslatable joke
virtually untranslatable
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Some jokes are _____ because they depend on a pun.
Etymology
The word is formed in English from the prefix un- and the adjective translatable.
Antonyms
translatable
Related words
Rhymes for untranslatable
See all rhymes for untranslatable →Frequently asked questions
What does untranslatable mean?
It describes something that cannot be translated, such as a word or phrase with no satisfactory equivalent in another language.
What is the opposite of untranslatable?
The opposite is translatable, meaning able to be translated.
Can untranslatable be a noun?
Yes. As a noun it means a word or phrase that is impossible to translate satisfactorily, and its plural is untranslatables.
What is the meaning of untranslatable?
"untranslatable" (adjective) means not able to be translated.
