3 Google Translate features that make it the world’s best free translator app

These Google Translate features are invaluable for navigating regions with different languages.

Google Translate app is available for both Android and iOS devices. (Image credit: Vivek Umashankar/The Indian Express)

As someone who travels internationally a few times a year, Google Translate has become my essential travel companion. Recently, I discovered three game-changing features that make travel easier, especially for those heading to places where they don’t speak the local language.

Conversation model can make you a pro in understanding a foreign language

Have a conversation like a native speaker. (Image credit: Vivek Umashankar/The Indian Express)

Have you ever faced an awkward language barrier while trying to communicate with locals? Google Translate’s Conversation mode steps in here, allowing a seamless two-way conversation where, for example, you speak in English, and the other person replies in Thai. Google Translate instantly translates both sides, making interactions across languages a breeze.

To access the conversation model on Google Translate, just click on the Conversation option at the bottom left corner, and select the language you speak and also the language that the other person speaks. While the translator can automatically detect the language, for more accurate performance, it’s best to select the language manually, and also make sure that your phone has a stable internet connection.

Save your favourite phrases, so that you don’t have to say it time and again

Saying thank you in any language was never this easy. (Image credit: Vivek Umashankar/The Indian Express)

Greeting people in their own language can get you a lot of respect. However, learning those phrases could be a bit of work, and in some languages, it is really hard to pronounce some of the words. Google Translate also makes this a lot easier, where you can record your favourite phrases by speaking them in a language that you understand, the app will automatically translate, and every time you want to re-use it, just access them from the saved phrases.

You can save multiple phrases from multiple languages, and all of them will be easily accessible at your fingertip. Just tap on the microphone icon to begin a new translation, go to the history and mark the important phrases with a star. These phrases can be quickly accessed by simply clicking on the star icon on the top left corner.

Quickly translate those menus

Yes, they serve rice with curry. (Image credit: Vivek Umashankar/The Indian Express)

The best part about any foreign trip is trying local cuisine. Some of the best eateries might only have the menu in the local language, and this is where Google Translate can be your knight in shining armour. Powered by Google Lens, the Translator app can automatically translate the menu to a language that you would understand, and in some cases. Not just food menus, it also works in reading the sign boards, and also while boarding a tube or subway, ensuring it goes to a location that you wish to travel, and not the other way around.

We hope these three Google Translate features will come in handy to be independent when you are taking a trip outside the country.