Translation exercises are a useful way to practise vocabulary, grammar and sentence structure. They can help English learners understand how ideas are expressed in different languages.
This resource provides 100 translation exercises ranging from simple beginner sentences to more challenging everyday English.
If English is your target language, first try translating each sentence into English yourself before checking the suggested answer.
Part 1: Beginner translation practice
Exercise 1
Translate into English:
Je suis étudiant.
Answer: I am a student.
Exercise 2
Translate:
Elle est ma sœur.
Answer: She is my sister.
Exercise 3
Translate:
Nous habitons à Nairobi.
Answer: We live in Nairobi.
Exercise 4
Translate:
Il travaille dans un bureau.
Answer: He works in an office.
Exercise 5
Translate:
J’aime le thé.
Answer: I like tea.
Exercise 6
Translate:
C’est mon livre.
Answer: It is my book.
Exercise 7
Translate:
Ils sont à la maison.
Answer: They are at home.
Exercise 8
Translate:
Elle parle anglais.
Answer: She speaks English.
Exercise 9
Translate:
Je me lève tôt.
Answer: I get up early.
Exercise 10
Translate:
Nous allons à l’école.
Answer: We go to school.
Part 2: Everyday sentences
Exercise 11
Translate:
What is your name?
Answer: What is your name?
Exercise 12
Translate:
Where do you live?
Answer: Where do you live?
Exercise 13
Translate:
I am from Kenya.
Answer: I am from Kenya.
Exercise 14
Translate:
How old are you?
Answer: How old are you?
Exercise 15
Translate:
I have two brothers.
Answer: I have two brothers.
Exercise 16
Translate:
She is at work.
Answer: She is at work.
Exercise 17
Translate:
We are learning English.
Answer: We are learning English.
Exercise 18
Translate:
They live near the school.
Answer: They live near the school.
Exercise 19
Translate:
He goes to work by bus.
Answer: He goes to work by bus.
Exercise 20
Translate:
I usually eat breakfast at seven.
Answer: I usually eat breakfast at seven.
Part 3: Questions and answers
Exercise 21
Translate:
What time do you wake up?
Answer: What time do you wake up?
Exercise 22
Translate:
Where is the nearest shop?
Answer: Where is the nearest shop?
Exercise 23
Translate:
How much does this cost?
Answer: How much does this cost?
Exercise 24
Translate:
What are you doing?
Answer: What are you doing?
Exercise 25
Translate:
When will you arrive?
Answer: When will you arrive?
Exercise 26
Translate:
Why are you late?
Answer: Why are you late?
Exercise 27
Translate:
Who is that person?
Answer: Who is that person?
Exercise 28
Translate:
Which one do you want?
Answer: Which one do you want?
Exercise 29
Translate:
Can you help me?
Answer: Can you help me?
Exercise 30
Translate:
Could you repeat that, please?
Answer: Could you repeat that, please?
Part 4: Past tense
Exercise 31
Translate:
I went to the market yesterday.
Answer: I went to the market yesterday.
Exercise 32
Translate:
She cooked dinner last night.
Answer: She cooked dinner last night.
Exercise 33
Translate:
We visited our friends.
Answer: We visited our friends.
Exercise 34
Translate:
He bought a new phone.
Answer: He bought a new phone.
Exercise 35
Translate:
They arrived late.
Answer: They arrived late.
Exercise 36
Translate:
I saw him yesterday.
Answer: I saw him yesterday.
Exercise 37
Translate:
She called me in the evening.
Answer: She called me in the evening.
Exercise 38
Translate:
We watched a film.
Answer: We watched a film.
Exercise 39
Translate:
He forgot his keys.
Answer: He forgot his keys.
Exercise 40
Translate:
I finished my work at five o’clock.
Answer: I finished my work at five o’clock.
Part 5: Future and plans
Exercise 41
Translate:
I will call you tomorrow.
Answer: I will call you tomorrow.
Exercise 42
Translate:
She is going to visit her family.
Answer: She is going to visit her family.
Exercise 43
Translate:
We will meet next week.
Answer: We will meet next week.
Exercise 44
Translate:
They are going to travel next month.
Answer: They are going to travel next month.
Exercise 45
Translate:
I will study English tonight.
Answer: I will study English tonight.
Part 6: Practical English
Exercise 46
Translate:
I would like a cup of tea, please.
Answer: I would like a cup of tea, please.
Exercise 47
Translate:
Could I have the bill, please?
Answer: Could I have the bill, please?
Exercise 48
Translate:
Where can I buy a ticket?
Answer: Where can I buy a ticket?
Exercise 49
Translate:
Could you tell me the way to the station?
Answer: Could you tell me the way to the station?
Exercise 50
Translate:
I would like to make an appointment.
Answer: I would like to make an appointment.
Part 7: Describing people and places
Exercise 51
Translate:
My brother is very tall.
Answer: My brother is very tall.
Exercise 52
Translate:
She has a friendly personality.
Answer: She has a friendly personality.
Exercise 53
Translate:
The city is busy but beautiful.
Answer: The city is busy but beautiful.
Exercise 54
Translate:
My house is near the market.
Answer: My house is near the market.
Exercise 55
Translate:
The children are playing in the garden.
Answer: The children are playing in the garden.
Part 8: Intermediate translation
Exercise 56
Translate:
I have been learning English for two years.
Answer: I have been learning English for two years.
Exercise 57
Translate:
If I have time, I will visit you tomorrow.
Answer: If I have time, I will visit you tomorrow.
Exercise 58
Translate:
Although it was raining, we went outside.
Answer: Although it was raining, we went outside.
Exercise 59
Translate:
I could not attend the meeting because I was ill.
Answer: I could not attend the meeting because I was ill.
Exercise 60
Translate:
She told me that she would arrive later.
Answer: She told me that she would arrive later.
Part 9: Translation into English
For the following exercises, translate the meaning into natural English rather than translating each word individually.
Exercise 61
I need to improve my English before I travel.
Answer: I need to improve my English before I travel.
Exercise 62
Please let me know when you arrive.
Answer: Please let me know when you arrive.
Exercise 63
I have never visited that city before.
Answer: I have never visited that city before.
Exercise 64
She has already finished her work.
Answer: She has already finished her work.
Exercise 65
We have lived here for five years.
Answer: We have lived here for five years.
Exercise 66
He is interested in learning new languages.
Answer: He is interested in learning new languages.
Exercise 67
They decided to leave early because of the traffic.
Answer: They decided to leave early because of the traffic.
Exercise 68
I would like to learn how to write better English.
Answer: I would like to learn how to write better English.
Exercise 69
She asked me whether I needed any help.
Answer: She asked me whether I needed any help.
Exercise 70
We should practise regularly if we want to improve.
Answer: We should practise regularly if we want to improve.
Part 10: Translation challenge
Try these without looking at the answers first.
Exercise 71
Translate:
I usually wake up early, but I stayed in bed longer yesterday because I was tired.
Answer: I usually wake up early, but I stayed in bed longer yesterday because I was tired.
Exercise 72
Translate:
My friend is coming tomorrow, so I need to clean the house today.
Answer: My friend is coming tomorrow, so I need to clean the house today.
Exercise 73
Translate:
If you need any information, please contact the office.
Answer: If you need any information, please contact the office.
Exercise 74
Translate:
I started learning English because I wanted to communicate with people from different countries.
Answer: I started learning English because I wanted to communicate with people from different countries.
Exercise 75
Translate:
The book was difficult at first, but it became easier after I learned more vocabulary.
Answer: The book was difficult at first, but it became easier after I learned more vocabulary.
Exercise 76
Translate:
She missed the bus because she left home late.
Answer: She missed the bus because she left home late.
Exercise 77
Translate:
Although he was tired, he continued working.
Answer: Although he was tired, he continued working.
Exercise 78
Translate:
I am looking for a job that will allow me to develop my skills.
Answer: I am looking for a job that will allow me to develop my skills.
Exercise 79
Translate:
We decided to postpone the meeting until next week.
Answer: We decided to postpone the meeting until next week.
Exercise 80
Translate:
Learning a language takes time, patience and regular practice.
Answer: Learning a language takes time, patience and regular practice.
Part 11: Translation and grammar
Exercise 81
Translate using the present perfect:
I have finished my homework.
Answer: I have finished my homework.
Exercise 82
Translate using the past continuous:
I was reading when she called me.
Answer: I was reading when she called me.
Exercise 83
Translate using a conditional:
If it rains, we will stay at home.
Answer: If it rains, we will stay at home.
Exercise 84
Translate using a modal verb:
You should practise English every day.
Answer: You should practise English every day.
Exercise 85
Translate using a passive structure:
The letter was sent yesterday.
Answer: The letter was sent yesterday.