metaphrase: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2 (Very Low Frequency)Formal, Academic, Technical (Linguistics, Translation Studies)
Quick answer
What does “metaphrase” mean?
A literal, word-for-word translation from one language to another.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A literal, word-for-word translation from one language to another.
Any literal or verbatim rendering of text; sometimes used in literary theory to denote translation focused on linguistic equivalence rather than sense.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage; term is equally rare and specialized in both varieties.
Connotations
In academic discourse, often carries a neutral-to-slightly negative connotation, implying a rigid, unidiomatic translation method.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in both regions, confined to specialist texts on translation theory.
Grammar
How to Use “metaphrase” in a Sentence
to metaphrase [text/sentence] (from [language] into [language])a metaphrase of [source text]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “metaphrase” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The scholar chose to metaphrase the Greek epigram, preserving its exact syntactic structure.
- Early translators would often metaphrase Latin texts into English, resulting in awkward prose.
American English
- The software is designed to metaphrase legal documents for a preliminary review.
- He argued it was better to metaphrase the technical manual than to risk misinterpreting its specifications.
adverb
British English
- The text was translated metaphrase, with each Latin word directly mirrored.
- He worked metaphrase, consulting a dictionary for every term.
American English
- She translated the contract metaphrase to avoid any ambiguity.
- The instructions were rendered metaphrase, which made them sound unnatural.
adjective
British English
- The metaphrase approach yielded a text that was accurate but stylistically clumsy.
- His translation was criticised for being overly metaphrase.
American English
- A metaphrase rendering of the poem lost all its rhythmic quality.
- The manual's metaphrase version was difficult for trainees to understand.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in translation studies, comparative literature, and classical studies to discuss translation methodology.
Everyday
Not used.
Technical
Core term in translation theory to classify a specific translation approach.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “metaphrase”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “metaphrase”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “metaphrase”
- Confusing spelling with 'metaphor' or 'paraphrase'.
- Using it as a fancier synonym for any 'translation'.
- Pronouncing it /ˈmiːtəfreɪz/ (it's short e, /ˈmɛtə-/).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a very low-frequency, specialised term used almost exclusively in academic fields like translation studies and literary criticism.
Metaphrase is a literal, word-for-word translation. Paraphrase is a restatement of the meaning in different words, often within the same language, to clarify or simplify.
Yes, though rare. It means 'to translate literally' (e.g., 'He metaphrased the ancient text').
In modern translation theory, it is generally not considered ideal for most texts, as it can produce unnatural, unidiomatic results. However, it may be used for specific purposes, such as comparative linguistic analysis or translating sacred texts where wording is paramount.
A literal, word-for-word translation from one language to another.
Metaphrase is usually formal, academic, technical (linguistics, translation studies) in register.
Metaphrase: in British English it is pronounced /ˈmɛtəfreɪz/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈmɛt̬əfreɪz/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'META' (changing) + 'PHRASE' (words). It's about changing the phrasing in a very direct, word-by-word way.
Conceptual Metaphor
TRANSLATION IS MAPPING (metaphrase is a strict, one-to-one map of words).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary characteristic of a metaphrase?