Literal translation: translating closely according to the original wording, which can convey meaning but sometimes sounds unnatural or loses nuance. Opposite: 意訳 (interpretive translation).
この英文を直訳すると意味が通じないことがある。
If you translate this English sentence literally, it may not make sense.
直訳より意訳の方が自然になる場合が多い。
In many cases, an interpretive translation (意訳) becomes more natural than a literal one.
辞書を使って直訳してみたが、ぎこちない表現になった。
I tried translating it literally using a dictionary, but the wording became awkward.