Skip to main content

Google Search now automatically translates (some) foreign words into English

Google User
Image used with permission by copyright holder
Typing in a foreign language? Google Search now assumes you’re looking for a translation.

As of this month, Google’s Operating System Blog notes, “If you search for a word in a foreign language, Google now automatically shows the translation.” This saves you a bit of time by eliminating the need to type “translate” before entering a word in another language — as Google says, “For example, you can search for [amanecer] to get the English translation of the Spanish word, instead of typing [translate amanecer] or [translate amanecer to english].”

We should note that this trick doesn’t work across the board — only some words are immediately recognized as needing translation, and if you’re typing in a whole phrase, forget about it. You’ll still have to enter “translate” into the search field to get longer queries out the door.

It’s still unclear as to whether or not Google plans to expand this functionality to allow for automatic translation of more words or phrases, but with the significant leaps and bounds Translate has made over the last ten years, it seems that we can expect further developments on the language front.

Already, Google Translate has logged an impressive list of achievements — the service now supports over 100 languages, can translate words in photos, and has a growing community of contributors that continues to make the Translate tool stronger than ever.

Interestingly enough, 92 percent of Google Translate’s 500 million users are located outside of the U.S., though most words are translated into English. Brazilians, however, seem to be the most fond of the tool, contributing most to the total of 100 billion words translated by Google each and every day. So if you’re looking to expand your foreign language vocabulary, all you need to do is Google it.

Editors' Recommendations

Lulu Chang
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Fascinated by the effects of technology on human interaction, Lulu believes that if her parents can use your new app…
Google’s ChatGPT rival just launched in search. Here’s how to try it
Generative AI in Google Search.

Ever since Microsoft started integrating ChatGPT into Bing search, alarm bells have been ringing at Google. Now, though, the tech giant has started rolling out its own generative artificial intelligence (AI) tool for users as part of its bid to retain its search crown.

In a blog post, the company explains that the new feature (called Search Generative Experience, or SGE) is part of Google’s Search Labs, which lets you test out experimental ideas in Google search and provide feedback to the company. Google says its generative AI will “help you take some of the work out of searching, so you can understand a topic faster, uncover new viewpoints and insights and get things done more easily.”

Read more
You don’t have to use Bing – Google Search has AI now, too
Google Search Experience gives an overview with links and images.

Google Search Experience gives an overview with links and images. Google

Google is rolling out big changes to its top product, Google Search, adding generative AI capabilities. That means you don't have to switch to Bing to get a more helpful AI-enhanced search.

Read more
Google Bard can now create and edit images, courtesy of Adobe
These are examples of images created with Adobe Firefly.

A few examples of images created with Adobe Firefly. Adobe

Adobe and Google are partnering to bring Firefly, a collection of AI image tools, and Adobe Express into Google Bard. Firefly's unique capabilities and training set it apart from other AI image generators.

Read more