細胞的蛋白質合成系統將mRNA的信息轉化成蛋白質中的過程。翻譯發生于核糖體上，在那里將mRNA的信息轉變為多肽鏈。一系列轉移RNA分子將每三個堿基讀成一個密碼子，識別出mRNA的信息并將氨基酸相應排列起來。并列而排的轉移RNA閱讀鄰近的密碼子，帶來氨基酸并將其以共價鍵連接起來。這一過程持續進行直到多肽鏈完成；這條鏈然后被釋放出來并折疊成有功能的蛋白質。

The conversion of an mRNA transcript (see transcription) into a protein molecule by the cellular protein synthesis machinery. Translation occurs at a site called the ribosome, which allows the information within the mRNA to be converted into a polypeptide chain. The code is read, three bases at a time, by a series of transfer RNA (tRNA) molecules, which recognize the mRNA message and align the appropriate amino acid in place. Juxtaposed tRNAs, reading adjacent codes, bring together amino acids, which are then covalently joined to together. This process continues until the polypeptide chain is complete; the chain is then released and folds into a functional protein.