What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
transliterate
Example
Can you transliterate my name into Arabic script? [transliterate: verb]
Example
The menu had the English names of dishes transliterated into Chinese characters. [transliterated: past participle]
transcribe
Example
I need to transcribe this interview for my research project. [transcribe: verb]
Example
The secretary transcribed the meeting minutes and distributed them to the attendees. [transcribed: past participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Transcribe is more commonly used than transliterate in everyday language. Transcribe is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while transliterate is less common and refers to a specific type of language conversion.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between transliterate and transcribe?
Both transliterate and transcribe can be used in formal and informal contexts, depending on the situation and audience. However, transcribe may be more commonly used in formal contexts such as academic research and legal proceedings.
