Menu translator
Point your camera at the menu. Each dish comes back translated, with its price and one plain sentence on what will actually arrive at the table.
Point at the menu
Snap a photo, upload a screenshot, or paste an image (Ctrl/⌘ + V).
Why a literal translation is not enough
Menus are the hardest everyday text to translate, because a dish name is rarely a description. Here is what a word-for-word translation gives you, next to what the menu mode tells you:
| On the menu | Literal | What it is |
|---|---|---|
| 親子丼 | Parent-and-child bowl | Chicken and egg simmered in sweet soy broth, over rice |
| 蚂蚁上树 | Ants climbing a tree | Glass noodles with minced pork in a spicy sauce |
| Pulpo a la gallega | Galician-style octopus | Boiled octopus on potatoes with olive oil, salt and paprika |
| Pieds paquets | Feet packets | Lamb tripe parcels and trotters slow-cooked in wine and tomato |
| 부대찌개 | Army base stew | Spicy stew with sausage, ham, noodles, kimchi and tofu |
Using it at the table
- One section per photo. Long menus read better in parts: drinks, starters, mains.
- Tap a pin to jump to that dish in the list, or a line to see where it is on the menu.
- Point at the original. When ordering, show the staff the original text on the menu rather than your translation; the pins tell you which line to point at.
- Hear it. The speaker button reads a line aloud in your target language, useful if you translated into the local language to ask a question.
Machine translation. Good for getting the gist of signs, menus and everyday documents. Not suitable for legal, medical, immigration or other official use; use a certified human translator for those. Allergen notes describe what a dish typically contains; always confirm with the kitchen.
Menu translator questions
How do I translate a menu with my camera?
Open this page on your phone, tap "Take or upload a photo" (or "Live camera"), and photograph the menu. You get one line per dish with the translated name, the price as printed, and a one-sentence description of what the dish is.
Why explain dishes instead of just translating them?
Dish names are often names, not descriptions. A literal translation of "oyakodon" is "parent-and-child bowl", which tells you nothing. The menu mode adds what it actually is: chicken and egg simmered in a sweet soy broth over rice.
Can I rely on the allergen notes?
No. Notes say what a dish typically contains, and recipes vary by kitchen. If you have an allergy, show the staff a clear written allergy card in their language and ask them directly.
Does it read handwritten and chalkboard menus?
Usually, yes. Get close enough that the board fills the frame, avoid glare from lights on glossy or laminated menus, and take one photo per section on long menus.
Will the prices be converted?
No. Prices are copied exactly as printed, in the local currency, so there is no risk of an out-of-date exchange rate. Use your bank app for conversion.