What is the difference between thee and thou?

'Thou' is the subject form (like 'you' when you're doing the action), and 'thee' is the object form (like 'you' when something is done to you). Example: 'Thou art kind' vs 'I give thee thanks.'

How do you say 'I love you' in Old English?

In Shakespearean English: 'I love thee' or 'I do love thee most ardently.' In true Old English: 'Ic lufie þē' (pronounced 'itch loo-fee-eh theh').

What does 'wherefore' mean?

'Wherefore' means 'why,' not 'where.' In Romeo and Juliet, 'Wherefore art thou Romeo?' means 'Why are you Romeo?' (Why do you have to be a Montague?), not 'Where are you?'

What is the difference between thy and thine?

'Thy' is used before consonants (thy heart, thy sword), while 'thine' is used before vowels (thine eyes, thine honor). Both mean 'your.' Thine can also mean 'yours' at the end of a sentence.

What does 'doth' mean?

'Doth' is the old third-person singular form of 'do' or 'does.' Example: 'What doth he want?' means 'What does he want?'

What is 'prithee' short for?

'Prithee' is a contraction of 'pray thee,' meaning 'please' or 'I pray you.' Example: 'Prithee, tell me the time.'

How accurate is this translator?

This translator is designed for fun and creative use, not academic accuracy. It captures the feel and common vocabulary of historical English, but professional translation of historical texts requires expert knowledge.

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Old English Translator

Free old English translator converts modern text to Shakespearean, medieval, or Anglo-Saxon style instantly. Includes pronoun guide and common phrases.

Translation Direction

Translation Style

Transformation Intensity

Translation Style: Early Modern English used in Shakespeare's plays. Uses "thee," "thou," and verb forms like "doth" and "hath."(1500-1700)

Transformation Intensity: Balanced - pronouns and common verb forms(+ are → art, have → hath, do → dost)

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Modern English Text

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How to Translate to Old English

Transform your modern English into beautiful Shakespearean, medieval, or Anglo-Saxon style with our free translator. Whether you're writing a creative project, want to speak like Shakespeare, or just having fun with friends, this tool converts 'you' to 'thou,' 'are' to 'art,' and adds authentic archaic vocabulary to your text.

What Is Old English?

Old English (also called Anglo-Saxon) was spoken in England from around 450-1100 AD. However, what most people call 'Old English' online is actually Early Modern English (1500-1700)—the language of Shakespeare and the King James Bible. This translator supports both true Old English (Anglo-Saxon) and the more popular Shakespearean style.

Translation Formula

Old English = Pronouns + Verb Forms + Archaic Vocabulary

Why Use This Old English Translator?

Four Translation Styles

Choose Shakespearean, Medieval, Anglo-Saxon, or Elizabethan to match your needs.

Adjustable Intensity

Control how much transformation you want—from subtle to full archaic conversion.

Bidirectional Translation

Translate from modern to old English, or decode old text back to modern.

Pronoun Guide Included

Learn the difference between thee, thou, thy, and thine with our built-in reference.

How to Use This Translator

Common Uses for Old English Translation

Creative Writing

Add authentic historical dialogue to stories, plays, or games.

Social Media Fun

Post funny Shakespearean insults or love messages.

Educational Projects

Understand how English has evolved over centuries.

Renaissance Faires

Perfect your medieval speech for historical events.

Frequently Asked Questions

No! Shakespeare wrote in Early Modern English (1564-1616), not Old English. Old English (450-1100 AD) is almost unrecognizable to modern readers. Shakespeare's language, with words like 'thee,' 'thou,' and 'doth,' is from about 400 years later.

How to Translate to Old English

What Is Old English?

Translation Formula

Old English = Pronouns + Verb Forms + Archaic Vocabulary