Translation in China — what locals actually use

Apps, local services, useful places and traveler tips — the practical answer, in one place.Break the language barrier.

5 picksUpdated May 4, 2026

Quick answer

Install the offline language pack for China before you travel. Camera translation for menus, signs and labels is the single most useful feature on the road.

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Tools locals use

Apps, websites and services we've vetted for translation in China.

Tools locals use

5 picks

5 results

Local Pick

App

Pleco

The Chinese-English dictionary every Mandarin learner uses.

Local Pick

App

Google Translate

A very popular and widely used translation service for text, voice, images, and websites.

App

DeepL

AI-powered translation tool known for its nuanced and natural-sounding translations, particularly strong for European languages.

App

Microsoft Translator

Provides text, voice, conversation, and image translation with support for many languages, including Spanish.

App

iTranslate Translator & Dictionary

A popular translation and dictionary app offering text, voice, and website translation across many languages.

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Tools locals use

Pleco

Google Translate

DeepL

Microsoft Translator

iTranslate Translator & Dictionary

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