通訳（つうやく、tsuuyaku）
- interpreter

The Japanese word 通訳, pronounced つうやく (tsūyaku), means "interpreter" or "interpretation." It refers to the act of orally translating spoken words from one language to another, or to the person who performs this task. This differs from written translation (翻訳 - honyaku), which deals with written texts. Interpreters facilitate communication between people who speak different languages.

⚫︎英語と日本語の通訳が必要です。 Translation: We need an interpreter for English and Japanese. ⚫︎彼女は国際会議で通訳として働いています。 Translation: She works as an interpreter at international conferences. ⚫︎通訳のスキルを向上させたいです。 Translation: I want to improve my interpretation skills.

You use 通訳 when you're talking about the act of interpreting or the person who does it. It’s relevant in situations where communication across language barriers is needed, like international meetings, court proceedings, or conversations with tourists. You can use it as a noun (e.g., "a [通訳]") or in verb form (e.g., "[通訳]します" - to interpret).

通訳 is primarily written with the kanji 通 (tsū - meaning "through" or "communication") and 訳 (yaku - meaning "translation" or "interpretation"). The reading is usually in hiragana (つうやく), but kanji is almost always used in writing. There are no variations in the okurigana for this word.

There aren't many direct synonyms for 通訳 in Japanese as it is a specific term. However, you could use phrases like: ⚫︎翻訳者 (honyakusha) - translator (used for written translation) ⚫︎同時通訳 (dōji tsūyaku) - simultaneous interpreter (for interpreting as the speaker talks) ⚫︎逐次通訳 (chokuji tsūyaku) - consecutive interpreter (for interpreting after the speaker pauses).

The antonym for 通訳 would be related to the lack of interpretation or the inability to understand another language. It is difficult to find a direct antonym.

会議では、専門の通訳が重要な役割を果たした。 ・Translation: At the conference, a professional interpreter played a crucial role. ・Explanation: This sentence highlights the importance of an interpreter in facilitating communication at a formal event.

彼は日本語の通訳の資格を持っています。 ・Translation: He has a qualification as a Japanese interpreter. ・Explanation: This explains that the person has earned a qualification to be an interpreter.

The word 通訳 is a compound word. 通 combines with 訳. 通 conveys the idea of passing through or connecting, and 訳 signifies translating or interpreting. Together, the word reflects the function of an interpreter: to facilitate communication by "passing through" or conveying the meaning from one language to another.