Translator App

Question

Hi, I will be traveling to China in May and have been told that Google Translator will not work there. Wondering if anyone has any suggestions for using another app that offers both verbal and written translations? Thanks so much for any recommendations that you might provide:)

Answer

Traveling in China requires alternatives to Google Translator, as Google services are generally blocked without a VPN. There are several apps that work reliably within China for both verbal and written translation.

Recommended translator apps:

Baidu Translate – A popular Chinese app that offers text, voice, and image translation. It supports multiple languages and works offline if you download the language packs in advance.
Microsoft Translator – Works in China without a VPN, provides voice, text, and camera translation, and allows offline mode by downloading language packs.
iFlytek Translate – Strong in speech recognition and real-time voice translation, widely used in China. It also supports offline translation for selected languages.
Pleco – Primarily a Chinese-English dictionary app but very effective for text translation and learning pronunciation. Includes OCR for scanning Chinese text.

Tips for using translator apps in China:

Download any necessary offline language packs before arriving in China to ensure functionality without mobile data or Wi-Fi.
Check if the app supports voice input and output, especially for communicating with locals in real time.
Some apps may require access to the Chinese app store (like Baidu or iFlytek) for full functionality, so consider creating an account ahead of time if needed.

Using one or more of these apps should cover both written and spoken translation needs during your trip.