Google Translate

What Is It, In Plain Words?

Google Translate translates words, conversations, signs and menus between more than 100 languages. You can type, speak, or point your camera.

It's free and very useful on holiday.

What You Can Use It For

• Menus. Point your camera at a menu and see English words appear on top.
• Conversations. Talk in English and it speaks in Spanish, then translates the reply.
• Family abroad. Translate a message from a relative.

Getting Started Step By Step

On A Phone Or Tablet

1. Open the App Store (iPhone and iPad) or Google Play (Android).
2. Search for Google Translate and check it's made by Google LLC. Copycat apps exist.
3. Tap Get or Install, then open it.
4. Before a trip, download the language for offline use, in case you have no signal.

On A Computer

1. Open your web browser and go to translate.google.com. Check the address carefully, because look-alike sites exist.
2. Choose the languages at the top.
3. Type or paste your words. The translation appears beside them.

Things To Try Typing

Useful phrases to type or say.

What It Costs

It's free. There's no paid version to buy.

If anyone asks you to pay to use it, or to "unlock" it, that's a scam.

Privacy And Safety

• Don't translate private documents with bank or medical details. If you're signed in, translations may be saved in your history.
• Never type passwords, PINs, bank or card numbers, your National Insurance number (UK) or Social Security number (USA).

Good Points And Watch-Outs

Good Points

• Camera translation is quick.
• Conversation mode lets two people talk.
• Speaks translations aloud, which helps with pronunciation.

Watch-Outs

• Translations can be wrong. For medical or legal matters, use a professional interpreter.
• Works best with short, simple sentences.
• Download languages before you travel in case you have no signal.

Similar Tools

• Google Lens: point your camera at anything to identify it.
• Duolingo: short, game-like language lessons.
• Google Maps: directions and places.

Common Questions

Is Google Translate free?

Yes, it's free.

Does it work without the internet?

Yes, if you download the language first in the app.

Can it translate a conversation?

Yes. Use Conversation mode and it translates both ways.