interpretar

Interpretar is a Spanish verb with several closely related meanings centered on deriving meaning, rendering, or performing. The core sense is to understand or explain the meaning of something: to interpret a text, a signal, a dream, or data by analyzing it and articulating its significance. It also covers translating or rendering spoken language in real time, as in interpreting a conversation between speakers of different languages. In the arts, interpretar means to perform or portray a role, to render a musical or dramatic work according to a certain interpretation by the artist.

Etymology and related forms: interpretar derives from Latin interpretari, meaning to explain or unfold. It has cognates in other Romance languages, such as interpretare in Italian and interpréter in French. In Spanish, the verb is regular and follows the standard -ar conjugation patterns.

Usage and nuance: interpretar often implies an active act of assigning meaning or delivering a particular rendition. It can refer to intellectual interpretation (interpreting a poem, a law, or statistical results) as well as artistic interpretation (how an actor or musician presents a character or piece). Distinguishing between interpretar and entender is common: entender emphasizes grasping meaning, while interpretar emphasizes an interpretation that may reflect judgment, perspective, or creative choices.

Conjugation notes: as a regular -ar verb, it follows the standard endings for -ar verbs. Examples: presente interpreto, interpretas, interpreta; pretérito interpreté, interpretaste, interpretó; subjuntivo interprete, interpretes, interprete, interpretemos, interpreten.

See also: interpretation, interpretation of data, musical interpretation.