Using the New Tech Translator when you travel

Ordering lunch, asking for directions or chatting with a new friend abroad. How to use our free Translator, plus a few tips so it works smoothly on the road.

Traveling somewhere new is exciting, and not speaking the language should not hold you back. The New Tech Translator is a free tool on our website that works right in your phone’s web browser. There is nothing to install.

What it can do

• Translate between 20 languages, including Spanish, French, Italian, German, Portuguese, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese, Tagalog, Greek and more.
• Detect the language automatically if you are not sure what you are looking at.
• Read the translation aloud, so the person you are talking with can hear it (on phones and browsers that support speech).
• Offer quick phrases for travel, like “Where is the bathroom?” and “How much does this cost?”, and for doctor visits.

How to use it, step by step

1. Open the Translator page.
2. Choose the language you are typing in under From, and the language you want under To.
3. Type what you want to say, or tap a quick phrase.
4. Press Translate.
5. Show your screen to the other person, or press Read aloud.

Tips before you go

• Save it for easy access. Add the Translator page to your phone’s home screen or bookmarks so it is one tap away.
• You need an internet connection. The Translator works online, so check with your phone company about using data abroad, or use the free Wi-Fi at your hotel or café.
• Keep sentences short and simple. “Where is the train station?” translates better than a long, winding question.
• Write down key details like your hotel name and address on paper too, in case your battery runs low.

An honest note

Translations are made by a computer and may not always be perfect. They are great for everyday conversations. For anything medical or legal, please ask for a professional interpreter. Many hospitals and clinics offer one free of charge, so do not be shy about asking.

What you type is sent to our secure server to be translated and is not saved.