construe

Compared meaning: to explain the meaning of something (verb).

比较义项：解释、说明某事的含义（动词）。

• interpret

  General-purpose word for explaining the meaning of language, actions, data, or signs in everyday contexts; doesn't need to be followed by 'as'.

  interpret是通用词，用于日常语境中解释语言、行为、数据或迹象的含义，后面不一定要跟as。

  It's hard to interpret his message without more context.

  如果没有更多背景信息，很难解释他这条消息的含义。

• construe 本词

  More formal, often legal or written register; typically followed by 'as' and frequently used to warn against a wrong or unintended reading of words or actions.

  construe更正式，常用于法律或书面语境，通常后接as，多用于提醒对方不要对某种言行做出错误或非本意的理解。

  Please don't construe my silence as agreement with your plan.

  请不要把我的沉默理解为同意你的计划。

Interpret and construe both mean to explain the meaning of something. Interpret is general, for language or actions, without needing 'as'. Construe is more formal, often legal, followed by 'as', warning against wrong readings. Interpret's translating and performing senses aren't compared.

这两个词在“解释、说明含义”这一义项上很接近，但construe更正式、书面化，常与as连用，多见于法律或书面语境，强调避免被误解；interpret更通用，可用于日常语言、行为、数据、梦境等的解读，不要求搭配as。这里不比较interpret的“翻译”和“演绎”义项。