interpretieren
to interpret
To read, explain, or understand something (e.g. a text, data, behavior) in a particular way.
EXAMPLE
Wie interpretieren Sie die neuesten Umfrageergebnisse?
How do you interpret the latest survey results?
interpretieren
to interpret
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Meanings
interpretieren
to interpret
To perform an artistic work (e.g. a piece of music, a role in theater) with one's own presentation and personal expression.
EXAMPLE
Die Pianistin interpretierte die Sonate auf eine sehr moderne Weise.
The pianist interpreted the sonata in a very modern way.
Usage tips
Verbs ending in '-ieren'
The ending '-ieren' shows that this verb comes from a foreign language (here, Latin). Such verbs are regular in German and always form the past participle with 'hat' and the ending '-t' ('interpretiert').
EXAMPLE
Er hat ihre Reaktion komplett falsch interpretiert.
He completely misinterpreted her reaction.
Sentence structure with 'als'
A very common construction is 'etwas als etwas interpretieren' (to interpret something as something). Here, both the thing being interpreted and the interpretation itself are in the accusative.
EXAMPLE
Sein Schweigen wurde als Zustimmung interpretiert.
His silence was interpreted as agreement.
Typical objects
In the meaning of 'deuten' (to interpret), the objects are usually abstract. Typical examples are: interpreting 'Daten' (data), 'Ergebnisse' (results), 'ein Gedicht' (a poem), 'ein Gesetz' (a law), 'ein Verhalten' (a behavior), or 'ein Zeichen' (a sign).
EXAMPLE
Die Wissenschaftler interpretieren die Daten der Studie.
The scientists are interpreting the data from the study.
Art and music context
When it is about an artistic performance, the objects are always works or parts of them. You can interpret 'eine Rolle' (a role), 'ein Lied' (a song), 'eine Sonate' (a sonata), or 'ein Musikstück' (a piece of music).
EXAMPLE
Der Schauspieler hat die Rolle des Königs sehr überzeugend interpretiert.
The actor interpreted the role of the king very convincingly.
Compare with
interpretieren vs lesen
to read
lesen and interpretieren can both refer to information in a diagram or report. lesen focuses more on expertly taking in existing signs or data, while interpretieren focuses more on interpreting them. Use lesen for clearly readable information and interpretieren when you draw a particular conclusion from it.
interpretieren
Die Ärztin muss den Befund interpretieren, um seine Bedeutung für den Patienten zu verstehen.
The doctor has to interpret the report to understand what it means for the patient.
lesen
An der Skala kann man eine Temperatur von zwanzig Grad lesen.
You can read a temperature of twenty degrees on the scale.
In real life
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