How to translate on WhatsApp
Whatsapp is one of the most widely used messaging applications in the world. With it, you can send text, audio, video, and image messages to contacts all over the world. But what happens when you want to communicate with people who speak languages different from your own? In this article, we will see how to translate on Whatsapp to be able to communicate without language barriers.
Fortunately, there are some options available for translating messages on Whatsapp. We will see how to use these options and what their advantages and disadvantages are.
Entering text in a foreign language
The first option for communicating with someone who speaks a different language is to type the text directly in the foreign language. This can be done using your mobile device's keyboard or through the use of an online translation software.
However, this option can be problematic if you do not know the foreign language well or if you make grammar or spelling mistakes. Additionally, the recipient may have difficulty understanding the message if they are not accustomed to written language.
Using Whatsapp's built-in translation feature
Another option available for translating on Whatsapp is to use the application's built-in translation feature. This feature allows you to select a message and automatically translate it into the recipient's preferred language.
To use this feature, simply press and hold the message you wish to translate, select "Translate," and choose the destination language. Whatsapp will then use translation software to provide an approximate translation of the message.
- Advantages:
- Easy to use
- Does not require linguistic skills
- Saves time compared to manually typing the translation
- Disadvantages:
- The translation may be inaccurate or incorrect due to limitations of automatic translation software
- Not available for all languages
Using an external translation application
Finally, you can use an external translation application to communicate with people who speak different languages on Whatsapp. There are many such applications available for free on iOS and Android platforms.
These applications allow you to write the text in your own language and then provide a translation in the recipient's preferred language. However, these applications require the use of two separate applications (Whatsapp and the translation application) and may take longer than other available options.
- Advantages:
- Provides a more accurate translation compared to Whatsapp's built-in translation feature
- Available for many different languages
- Disadvantages:
- May require the use of two separate applications
- May take longer than other available options
- It's free
- It's easy to use
- It can be used to instantly translate large amounts of text
However, there are also disadvantages to using Google Translate:
- The quality of the translation is not always accurate, especially when it comes to complex or technical phrases
- It does not take into account the context in which the text is being used
- It can cause misunderstandings or translation errors if one is not familiar with the target language
For this reason, it is important to use Google Translate with caution and always verify the correctness of the translation.
Using the Microsoft Translator app
The Microsoft Translator app is a great solution for translating messages on WhatsApp. Here's how to use it:
Step 1: Download the Microsoft Translator app
First of all, make sure you have the Microsoft Translator app installed on your mobile device. You can download it for free from the App Store or Google Play Store.
Step 2: Copy the text to be translated
Open WhatsApp and go to the conversation where you want to use translation. Select and copy the text you want to translate by pressing "Copy".
Step 3: Paste the text into the Microsoft Translator app
Open the Microsoft Translator app and paste the copied text into the main text box. Select the language of the original text and the language you want to translate it into.
Step 4: View the translation
After selecting the languages, click on the "Translate" button and you will immediately see the translation of the text in the box below.
Step 5: Copy and paste the translation on WhatsApp
Copy the translation from the Microsoft Translator app's text box and paste it into your WhatsApp conversation. Now you can send the message with the translation to your recipient.
- Remember that Microsoft Translator app only works with text, so it won't be able to translate images or voice messages.
- Make sure to select the correct languages for translation, otherwise you may get an incorrect translation.
With these simple steps, you can easily use the Microsoft Translator app to translate messages on WhatsApp and communicate with people who speak other languages.
Tips for effective translation on WhatsApp
Translating on WhatsApp can be useful in many situations, but there are some things to keep in mind to get an accurate and effective translation. Here are some tips:
1. Use short and simple sentences
Long and complex sentences can create confusion in automatic WhatsApp translations. Try to use short and simple sentences without too many subordinates or phrases.
2. Avoid ambiguous or slang words
Ambiguous or slang words can be difficult to translate correctly, especially if they do not have a direct equivalent in the target language. Try to use clear and common words, avoiding too specific or regional terms.
3. Check the target language
WhatsApp offers the possibility to translate into many different languages, but automatic translation is not always available for all languages. Therefore, check that your target language is supported by the automatic translation function.
4. Reread the text before sending it
Although WhatsApp's automatic translation is becoming more accurate, it can still make mistakes or misunderstandings. Before sending the translated message, read it carefully to verify that it is understandable and grammatically correct.
5. Use automatic translation only as a support
WhatsApp's automatic translation can be useful for getting a general idea of the content of a message in a foreign language, but it is not always 100% reliable. If you need to do an important or professional translation, it is always better to turn to an experienced translator.
- To sum up, here are our tips:
- Use short and simple sentences
- Avoid ambiguous or slang words
- Check the target language
- Reread the text before sending it
- Use automatic translation only as a support
Conclusion
In summary, translation on WhatsApp can be very useful, but to obtain accurate and effective results, attention must be paid to several factors.
By following our advice, you can improve the quality of your translations on WhatsApp and communicate more easily with people from different languages and cultures.
However, remember that automatic translation cannot completely replace the work of professional translators, especially in a professional or academic context.

Michael Anderson - Software Engineer
My name is Michael Anderson, and I work as a computer engineer in Midland, Texas.
My passion is sharing my knowledge in various areas, and my purpose is to make education accessible to everyone. I believe it is essential to explain complex concepts in a simple and interesting way.
With GlobalHowTo, I aim to motivate and enrich the minds of those who want to learn.





