Translation Clue Practice
Eight flashcard-style translation puzzles arranged from easy to hard. Cryptic crossword setters sometimes clue a word by asking you to translate it into another language — most often French, German, Spanish, or Latin. Location phrases like “in Paris” or “the French” signal which language to use. For each card, think of the foreign word before revealing the answer.
“The French (2)”
Reveal answer
Answer: LE
- English word: “the”
- Language: French
- Translation: the → LE
"The French" means "the" translated into French, which is LE (masculine singular). This is one of the most common translation clues in cryptic crosswords.
“Friend in Paris (3)”
Reveal answer
Answer: AMI
- English word: “friend”
- Language: French
- Translation: friend → AMI
"In Paris" signals French. "Friend" in French is AMI. Setters use location phrases like "in Paris" or "in France" to indicate a French translation.
“The German (3)”
Reveal answer
Answer: DER
- English word: “the”
- Language: German
- Translation: the → DER
"The German" means "the" translated into German. DER is the masculine definite article. DIE (feminine) and DAS (neuter) are also possible depending on the letter count.
“The Spanish (2)”
Reveal answer
Answer: EL
- English word: “the”
- Language: Spanish
- Translation: the → EL
"The Spanish" means "the" translated into Spanish, which is EL (masculine singular). Short foreign articles like EL, LE, and DER appear frequently in cryptic grids.
“King in France (3)”
Reveal answer
Answer: ROI
- English word: “king”
- Language: French
- Translation: king → ROI
"In France" signals French. "King" in French is ROI. This is a common crossword entry because it provides useful short vowel-heavy fill.
“Yes in French (3)”
Reveal answer
Answer: OUI
- English word: “yes”
- Language: French
- Translation: yes → OUI
"In French" signals the language. "Yes" in French is OUI. Setters often clue OUI this way because it is widely known and provides useful grid fill.
“Way in Latin (3)”
Reveal answer
Answer: VIA
- English word: “way / road”
- Language: Latin
- Translation: way / road → VIA
"In Latin" signals the language. "Way" or "road" in Latin is VIA. This word has been adopted into English ("via" meaning "by way of") but setters may still clue it as a Latin translation.
“Therefore in Latin (4)”
Reveal answer
Answer: ERGO
- English word: “therefore”
- Language: Latin
- Translation: therefore → ERGO
"In Latin" signals the language. "Therefore" in Latin is ERGO, famously from Descartes' "cogito ergo sum". Setters use Latin phrases that have entered common usage.
Learn more about translation clues
If you want to understand translation clues in depth, see the full teaching page. It covers the most commonly used languages, how setters signal them, and worked examples from real Parseword puzzles.
Translation clues — full guide