What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
translate
Example
Can you translate this document from Spanish to English? [translate: verb]
Example
The teacher translated the difficult concept into simpler terms for the students. [translated: past tense]
convert
Example
I need to convert this file from PDF to Word. [convert: verb]
Example
He decided to convert to Buddhism after years of spiritual searching. [convert: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Translate is more commonly used than convert in everyday language, especially in the context of language learning and communication. Convert is more specialized and often used in technical or religious contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between translate and convert?
Translate is generally considered more formal than convert, as it is often used in academic or professional settings. However, both words can be used in various levels of formality depending on the context.