mTranslate
A powerful translator that's easy to use. Copy any text, open mTranslate, and the translation is ready.
What it does
- Copy text in any app, then open mTranslate. The text is pasted in and translated straight away
- Works with the mouse alone: right-click, Copy, then click mTranslate in the Dock
- Your text on the left, the translation on the right. mTranslate finds the language for you
- Press the speaker button to hear the text or the translation
- Cantonese or Mandarin voice for Chinese
- Press Clear to start again with new text
- Text size: small, medium, large or extra large
- Also in the right-click menu: Services → Translate with mTranslate
- Uses Apple's built-in translation, works offline
- Free, with no ads and no account
Use Chrome? See mTranslate for Chrome, a separate free extension.
Common questions
How do I translate something?
Select the text and copy it (right-click and choose Copy, or press Command-C). Then open mTranslate, or click it in the Dock. The text is pasted in and translated. You can also type or paste text yourself.
Why do I have to copy the text first?
Mac App Store apps are not allowed to read what you select in other apps. Copying the text gives it to mTranslate. Selecting text without copying it is not enough. Or select the text, right-click, and choose Services → Translate with mTranslate.
mTranslate pasted the wrong text. Why?
mTranslate pastes the last text you copied. If you only selected new text and didn't copy it, you get the text from before. Copy the new text and open mTranslate again, or press Clear and paste it yourself.
It asks me to download a language. Why?
Translation happens on your Mac, so macOS needs each language once. After the download it works without internet. To get other languages ready, open Settings → Manage languages and press Download next to the language.
Does mTranslate work without internet?
Yes, once your languages are downloaded. Settings → Use without internet shows whether they're ready.
How do I change the voice or the languages?
Open mTranslate and go to Settings (the gear in the window, or mTranslate → Settings in the menu bar). Choose your language, the language you translate into, and a Cantonese or Mandarin voice for Chinese.
The voice sounds robotic. Can I make it better?
Yes. In macOS System Settings → Accessibility → Spoken Content → System Voice → Manage Voices, download an Enhanced or Premium voice. mTranslate uses the best voice you have.
How do I start mTranslate when I log in?
Turn on Open mTranslate at login in Settings.
Does mTranslate collect my data?
No. Your text never leaves your Mac. See the Privacy Policy.
Contact support
Found a problem or have an idea? Email us. If you can, tell us your Mac model and macOS version.
Before you email, check the common questions above. The answer may be there.