interpretari

Interpretari is a Latin deponent verb meaning to interpret, explain, or translate. Although it appears in passive form, its meaning is active: to interpret or explain something to someone. It is classified as a first-conjugation deponent verb, typical of many Latin verbs that use passive endings for their present tense forms.

In standard Latin dictionaries, the principal parts are listed as interpretor, interpretari, interpretatus sum. In the present tense, deponent verbs use passive morphology, so forms resemble the passive: interpretor, interpretaris, interpretatur, interpretamur, interpretamini, interpretantur. The imperfect and future follow the same deponent pattern (e.g., interpretabam/interpretabitur, etc.). The perfect tense is formed with the participle interpretatus sum, meaning “I have interpreted.”

Usage of interpretari spans classical literature and ecclesiastical Latin. It is commonly employed in discussions of texts, laws, or oracles, where scholars or interpreters aim to explain meaning, intent, or application. The verb also contributes to the development of related nouns and adjectives in Latin, such as interpretatio (interpretation) and interpretativus (interpretative).

Derivatives and descendants: interpretari provides the root for several Romance-language words meaning to interpret or to explain, such as Spanish interpretar and French interpréter. The English verb interpret, along with its nouns interpretation and interpretive, ultimately derives from this Latin lineage.

See also: interpretatio, interpreter, interpretation.