8 Free English to Spanish Translation Tools for Translating Sentences
English to Spanish translation is much more streamlined today than it used to be. Many online services that will take care of your English to Spanish translation in the blink of an eye.
However, this technology is not perfect. Most of the time, you’ll find that these programs make certain errors that only an experienced speaker would catch. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t use them at all!
If you have a short document or a couple of paragraphs that need English to Spanish translation, you can always run them through grammar and spell-check software to polish them and make them more accurate. Then, you give them one last read through to correct any small mistakes that remain. This leaves you with a much simpler task than going through every sentence and translating it yourself.
Remember to proofread your text before sharing it, since computer translations are easily spotted by Spanish speakers. That being said, these tools are a great way to help you out with sentences or paragraphs that you can’t quite translate on your own, so let’s take a look!
1. Google Translate
This is without a doubt one of the best-known English to Spanish translation tools out there. Google Translate serves as a starting point for our review of other services.
It has many staple features such as text and document translation, and it offers multiple definitions, example sentences, synonyms, and frequency of use. You can’t go wrong with this free service if you want to translate documents that aren’t heavy on colloquial or local words.
And, this is unfortunately where Google Translate fails. Latin America is host to a dictionary’s worth of slang words that change from one country to the next, and colloquialisms get lost in translation faster than you can say órale.
Pros
- Provides a lot of information for single words
- Provides gender-specific translations when available
- Allows document uploading
- Virtually infinite translations
Cons
- Doesn’t translate slang well
- Longer texts have more mistakes and mistranslations
- Translations may not be representative of actual speech
2. DeepL
DeepL is Google Translate’s biggest current competitor. It appears on many forums as the go-to alternative for those frustrated with Google Translate.
To be honest, it’s very similar to Google Translate, but the way they present the information is clear and understandable, plus you can use commands such as Ctrl+Z to undo and Ctrl+Y to redo any previously written text, which is a big plus over the other English to Spanish translation services.
Unfortunately, It offers a 5000 character limit that you have to pay to go over, as well as other services that are behind this paywall.
Pros
- Accurate translations
- Keyboard shortcuts
- Clean and simple UI
Cons
- Some features blocked behind paywalls
- Translations, while better, are not perfect
3. Yandex Translate
Yandex is an underdog when it comes to English to Spanish translation software, but it carries its own weight with lots of features that you won’t find anywhere else.
On their website, you can translate text, documents, other websites, and even images. It has features such as predictive typing and side-to-side translations of example sentences. You can also save your previous translations which may be useful for studying or referencing words or phrases that you use often.
Pros
- It has features other translators lack
- You can save previous translations
- Access your translations through you account
- Access saved translations on your phone or computer
Cons
- Slang translation is virtually nonexistent
- Example sentences can be silly and wrong
- Single-word information is not so accurate
4. WordReference
Sometimes you’re translating a document and you come across a word that you just don’t know how to say in Spanish. That’s where translators such as WordReference save the day.
This website will give you many different translations for words that are trickier for English to Spanish translators such as bamboozled, bananas, and bonkers. This page is better than the ones before for slang words because it offers you Spanish slang words in return, and sometimes they even tell you the country related to each slang word!
Pros
- Complete list of translations
- Plenty of synonyms for each word
- Plentiful and accurate example sentences
Cons
- Only works for single words
- Most modern slang is not up to date
- The website is not modern and it takes some getting used to
5. Linguee
If I had a nickel for every time Linguee has saved me with their useful translations, I could probably buy a double cheeseburger with large fries and soda. By using their large database of different words used all over the internet, they can provide you with translations for words, sentences, and phrases that no other website can.
Regardless of which English to Spanish translation program you end up using, keep Linguee in mind because at some point you’ll be sure to need it.
Pros
- You’ll find translations you won’t find anywhere else
- Great for idiomatic expressions and slang words
- Provides list of most searched expressions
Cons
- The site is full of annoying ads
- Sometimes you have to figure out exact meanings through context clues
- Some useful features like the top searches are easy to miss
6. Microsoft Translator
Microsoft’s quality shows in their English to Spanish translator software. It has an attractive, user-friendly design that anyone can pick up right away.
It even includes a phrasebook that’s divided into different categories. This means it’s a great app for traveling since it also offers four kinds of input: photo translation, text, translation, voice recording or two-way conversation translation.
Pros
- Appealing design
- Easy to use
- Many different input methods
- Great for traveling
Cons
- No browser option
- Other alternatives are better for bigger chunks of text
7. Reverso Translator
Reverso is like a combination of DeepL and Linguee. When you enter text in their context translator you’ll get example sentences pulled from all over the internet with their relevant translations. It has features such as Wikipedia, image, and definition searching. It integrates many of the things that make other English to Spanish translation software great, so this might just be the perfect fit for you!
Pros
- Integrates most of the features scattered in other English to Spanish translation programs
- Has web, desktop, and mobile apps
- One of the most accurate translators, along with DeepL and Google Translate
Cons
- Initial character limit is way too low at around 100 characters
- You have to create an account and sign in to get the full features
8. TripLingo
TripLingo is going to be your hero if you’re traveling or backpacking somewhere where you don’t know the language. This app has features that will make your trip a lot easier. The main ones are the voice translator and phrasebook.
It also provides tip calculators, culture notes, as well as local emergency numbers and health-related phrases for tricky situations.
Pros
- Amazing for traveling and having conversations in Spanish
- Lots of phrases and information available
Cons
- Translation is provisional and should not be used for texts and documents
- Translation service is only through voice
- Many users report the app is unstable and crashes sometimes
English to Spanish Translation has Never Been Easier
Many tools make English to Spanish translation easier than it used to be. There is something out there for every need, and bilingual writers such as myself use them from time to time to find out about tricky words and culturally appropriate translations.
The best translator is always a human being since we understand language like no machine has been able to so far. Nevertheless, they are getting better and better and have proven to be a great help when translating.
Which is your favorite English to Spanish translation service? Let me know in a comment!
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