How to translate a text

The translator works with two boxes side by side: you write on the left and the translation appears on the right. It is useful for understanding messages, emails and short passages in another language without leaving your browser.

In the left box, choose the source language. There is no automatic detection: the translation service requires the source to be specified, and choosing it yourself avoids wrong translations.
In the right box, choose the target language. The default is Portuguese.
Type or paste the text. About a second and a half after you stop typing, the translation is done automatically. If you prefer, click "Translate".
Use the "Copy" button under each box to copy the original text or the translation.
The "Swap Languages" button reverses the two languages and also the texts, which is handy for checking the translation back or replying to a conversation.

Available languages

The list includes nine languages: Portuguese, English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Chinese (simplified) and Russian. If the source and target are the same, the text is simply repeated.

Size limit

The main service accepts pieces of about 500 characters per request. To work around this, the page splits the text into chunks of up to 450 characters, preferring to break at the end of sentences, and joins the translations at the end. The box accepts at most 2.000 characters, and there is a counter below it. If you paste something larger, only the beginning is translated and the translation carries a notice. For long texts, translate in parts.

Tips for better translations

Write short, complete sentences. Machine translation makes more mistakes with long sentences, slang, irony and chat abbreviations.
Check the way back: translate the result into the original language again with the swap button. If the meaning changed a lot, rewrite the sentence in a simpler way.
Do not use it for important texts without review, such as contracts, official documents, medicine leaflets and legal notices. Ask a professional translator.
Proper names, technical terms and idiomatic expressions usually need manual adjustment.

Practical examples

Understand a message from a foreign guest, customer or supplier and put together a short reply.
Read assembly instructions or the description of a product bought from an international store.
Study vocabulary: write a sentence in Portuguese, translate it into English or Spanish and compare it with what you had in mind.
Translate snippets of text copied from websites in languages you do not speak well.

Limitations

The translation depends on free external services, whose availability and quality vary, and the main service has a daily usage limit per network. The page tries MyMemory first and, if it fails for any reason (error, limit reached or network problem), tries LibreTranslate, which may require an access key or be offline. If neither responds, the message "Could not translate right now" appears, with no invented text. The translation is automatic: it can get context, tone and expressions wrong.

Privacy and how it works

Unlike tools that run only in the browser, here the text you type is sent to third-party translation services so that the translation can be generated: first to MyMemory and, if necessary, to LibreTranslate. Because the translation happens automatically while you type, the text is sent without you having to click. For that reason, do not type passwords, bank details, personal documents or confidential information. The page does not store your text. See the Privacy Policy for details.

Frequently asked questions

Is the translation done by humans?

No, it is machine translation. It gives a good idea of the meaning, but it can get context, tone and expressions wrong.

"Could not translate right now" appeared. What should I do?

Free services can become unavailable or reach their usage limit. Wait a moment and click "Translate" again; if the text is long, split it into smaller parts.

Why is there no "Detect language"?

Because the main service does not detect the source language. Instead of guessing and risking a wrong translation, the tool asks you to choose.

Is there a text size limit?

Yes: 2.000 characters per translation. The text is sent in chunks of up to 450 characters because of the external service's limit.

Can I translate whole documents or PDF files?

No. The tool works only with text typed or pasted into the boxes.

🌐 Language Translator