Shakespeare Translator

Shakespeare’s words are so different from the ones used in current, everyday conversation. (Can you believe Shakespeare never texted LOL to all his friends?) Fret not!

Don’t worry, old Shakespeare; thou meaning (thy meaning?) will be obvious in a few minutes.

Here’s a handy list of some of the more common words used by Shakespeare with the words translated to the words which are more common today:

ABHOR – To reject, disdain
ABSOLUTE – Without flaw, perfect
ADDICTION – Tendency, proneness
BALK – To hesitate, chop; to dispute
BRAVE – Handsome
CHARACTER – Letter, word
COIL – Distress, trouble
COUCH – To go to sleep
CUNNING – Clever, sharp
DELATION – Accusation
DESERVING – Merit, reward
DRAW – To bring near, call to
EGAL – Equal
EMBOSS – To track with the intent to kill
EXPEDIENCE – Quickness
FANCY – To desire
FEAR – To scare, frighten
FRONT – To oppose, affront, object
GAST – Scared, aghast
GRAVE – To inter, bury
HEAVY – Sad, painful, mournful
HONEST – Pure
INHERIT – Given; to accept or believe
INTPINSE – Impossible to untangle
JUDICIOUS – Fair, equitable
KNAP – To hit, strike
KNAVE – A young boy, a servant
LAND – Yard
LAPSED – Shocked, overcome
MAD – Crazy, wild
MATE – To confuse; to match
NOTE – Bill, list; to take note of
O’ER-RAUHOT, O’ER WROGHT – Overcome
OUGHT – Privy to, promised
PAINFUL – Difficult, hard to do
PALL – To wrap up
PARTICOAT – To cover in colorful fabric
PERPEND – To think of, consider
QUAINT – Beautiful, ornate
QUAKE – To shake, tremble
QUICKEN – To bring to life, bring to one’s senses
RAPTURE – A fit, ecstasy
RETIRE - To go to bed, to retreat
RAVIN – Likely to destroy; hunger
RESPECT – Forethought, consideration
SHRIFT – To admit
SIMULAR – Counterfeit
STILL – Always, forever
SUBSCRIPTION – Acquiescence, obedience
TAKE – To overtake; to enthrall
TAX – Blame, censure
TESTY – Worrisome
TRIGON – A triangle
UNDERGO – To take on
UNPREGNANT – Idiotic, inane
VILE – Disgusting, hateful
VINDICATIVE – Vengeful
WALL-EYED – Wide-eyed, angry, surprised
WANT – To lack YARE – Prepared, ready
YOUNG – Recent
ZANY – Idiotic, clownish

Shakespearean English Is Modern English

Because of the oddities and complexities inherent in the language of Shakespeare, sometimes his works seem foreign and incomprehensible. However, many people will be surprised to know that William Shakespeare’s English—the bane of school kids, college students, and playgoers alike—is technically modern English!

That’s right, the same language spoken by William Shakespeare is still in use today, and the language is distinct from Middle English (the language of Chaucer) and Early English (like Beowulf).

This does not mean, however, that Shakespeare’s English (also known as Elizabethan English) uses the exact same words and phrases that we use. In fact, some of his phrases are downright different from anything you’ve ever heard.

Shakespeare's Pronouns

Elizabethan English used a different pronoun set than we’re used to.

The first person—I, me, my, mine—remains basically the same.

The second person singular (you, your, yours) is translated to:

“Thou” for “you” (nominative)
“Thee” for “you” (objective)
“Thy” for “your” (genitive)
“Thine” for “yours” (possessive)

Don’t worry too much about what words like “nominative” or “possessive” mean, and forget about those words “ye” and “thee,” which are more formal ways of saying “you.” Now, at least you know that “thou” means “you.”

So the correct way to berate Billy Shakespeare for writing like an old guy is to say, “Shakespeare, thy meaning is unclear!”

Shakespeare Translator