There are times when you need to have a PDF translated – when you buy a gadget produced in Japan or China and you have no idea what the manual says – for example. Or maybe you are selling Italian tiles, and you want to translate the brochure of the company whose products you are placing on an English-speaking market.
If you do need to translate PDF files, it is good to know that there are ways to do this online without having to pay a single red cent.
The easiest and best ways to translate PDF files for free online involve the use of WPS Office’s Parallel Translate tool, Google Docs or Google Translate.
1- Translate PDF with Goole Drive
If you do not have a Google account, click here and sign up for one – you should be able to do so in a matter of minutes.
Once you have done this, login to your account and go to Google Drive. Once you are in Google Drive, click on “Upload“ and then “File Upload“. From your computer, choose the PDF file that you want to translate and upload it.
Pros
Effortless Usability：Google Translate boasts an intuitive, user-friendly interface that's easy to navigate.
Installation-Free: Being web-based, Google Translate eliminates the need for additional software, freeing up your device's storage.
Privacy Protection: Google Translate respects user privacy, ensuring the confidentiality of your documents during the translation process.
Cons
Loss of Formatting and Images: While the tool is adept at translating text, it doesn't preserve the original PDF's formatting and images, requiring manual adjustments after translation.
2- Translate PDF with Goole Docs
Right mouse click on the uploaded PDF and choose to open with Google Docs as shown on the image below.
Click the “Tools“ tab and choose the option Translate document.
The window will pop up asking you to choose the language and to rename a file if you want. Once you choose the language just click on the Translate button.
The translated document will show up in another tab where you will be able to further edit it, if needed.
Pros
User-Friendly Interface: Google Docs provides a simple and intuitive interface that makes it easy to navigate, even for beginners.
Unlimited File Size: With no restriction on the file size, Google Docs enables the translation of extensive documents with ease.
Cons
Limited Language Accuracy: While Google Docs is capable of translating various languages, it may sometimes struggle with maintaining the exactness and nuances of the original text.
3- Translate PDF with WPS Office
Translation of a PDF in WPS Office is very easy, especially now that it introduces the Parallel Translate feature, making translation even easier. Here's how you do it:
Step 1: Launch WPS Office and Open Your PDF
First, open the WPS Office application on your computer and load the PDF document that you want to translate.
Step 2: Access the 'Home' Menu
After your PDF opens, locate the top menu and click on the option 'Home'.
Step 3: Select Parallel Translate
Instead of that drop-down menu, you should see Parallel Translate, which is usually available from the 'home' panel.
Step 4: Select Setup for Translation
You will be prompted to select Source Language, which is the language that your document is currently set in, and Translate To, which is the target translation language.
Step 5: Enable Parallel Translate
The Parallel Translate feature now lets you see the original and the translation of the document side by side for comparison and assuring the accuracy of your translation.
Step 6: Translate
With the languages set, click on Translate Now. WPS will instantly translate the entire PDF without impacting the pre-set formatting. End
You may store the translated document in two formats: original and translation, hence you are free to retrieve both.
Advantages of Parallel Translate by WPS
All Translation in One Click: Because it is an integrated office suite, any text will be translated just by a click.
Not using separate third-party tools for translation as translation is done within the office.
More Languages Supported: WPS Office, as of today, supports a wide range of languages from different corners of the world.
Enhanced Formula Translation: With WPS, you will have access to the correct translation of complex formulas that may exist in your documents and are suitable for any technical or academic work.
Can Search within Translated Document: You are able to search for any term either in the original text or the translation without having to leave the application.
Match Part Highlighting: This feature in WPS makes it possible to highlight matching parts of both documents so that any translation made can be quickly compared and verified.
Save in Two Formats: You are able to save your translation in two different formats by maintaining the original and translated versions for reference.
Pros of WPS PDF Translation:
Amazing Translation Quality: The WPS Office provides high-quality translations while maintaining the meaning and structure of the document.
Supports Multiple Formats: In addition to PDF, WPS can convert many other office file formats like DOCX, XLSX, and PPT.
User-Friendly Interface: Clean, intuitive design that won't get in the way, whether you are a tech-savvy or not.
Parallel View: You can do a side-by-side comparison between the original and translated text to ensure accuracy and consistency. Cons
Page Limit: Sometimes the tool might have a limit on the pages it can translate at a time, which may be very cumbersome for large documents.
4-Translate PDF with Doc Translator
Here's a simple guide to unlocking Doc Translator's potential:
Step 1: Visit the DocTranslator website.
Step 2: Click the "Upload a document" button to select your document. Doc Translator can handle numerous file types such as PDF, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
Step 3: Specify the original document's language in the "From" field and select "English" as the target language in the "To" field.
Step 4: Hit the "Translate" button to start the translation process.
Step 5: Upon completion, you'll be prompted to download the translated document.
Step6: Alternatively, you can drag and drop the file for translation or provide the document's URL if it's available online.
Step 7: For those dealing with large documents or requiring frequent translations, Doc Translator's PRO plan is worth considering.
Pros
Wide Language Support: Doc Translator stands out with its support for over 100 languages, catering to a broad user base.
Versatility in File Formats: The tool isn't restricted to PDFs—it's capable of translating multiple office file formats.
Cons
Ad Infestation: The platform is laden with advertisements that may interrupt your user experience.
Lack of Document Privacy Protection: Doc Translator does not provide assurances for the protection of document privacy during the translation process.
5-Translate PDF with GroupDocs
Translating documents with GroupDocs is an easy and user-friendly process:
Step 1: Upload a PDF file from your local storage or simply input the URL of the document you wish to translate.
Step 2: Press the 'Translate' button to kickstart the translation. There's an option to choose the output format for convenient editing later on.
Step 3: Once the translation is done, download the translated document, share it using email or URL, or modify the translated content as needed.
Pros
Broad Language Support: With support for 40 languages, GroupDocs showcases its versatility in catering to a wide range of translation requirements.
Website Document Translation: Beyond uploaded files, GroupDocs can seamlessly translate documents directly sourced from the web.
Cons
Restriction on Document Characters: GroupDocs enforces a cap on the number of characters that can be translated into a document.
FAQ
Q1: How Do I Upload A PDF to Translate?
You can upload a PDF to translate by following these steps:
Open the translation app or website.
Click on the "Upload" button.
Select the PDF file that you want to translate.
Select the language that you want to translate the PDF to.
Click on the "Translate" button.
Q2: How Do I Translate A PDF On My iPhone?
There are several ways to translate a PDF on your iPhone:
Using Google Translate App:
Step 1: Open the Google Translate app and tap on the "Camera" icon.
Step 2: Point your iPhone's camera at the PDF you want to translate.
Step 3: The app will automatically detect the text and translate it into your chosen language.
Using WPS Office:
Step 1: Download and open the WPS Office app on your iPhone.
Step 2: Open the PDF file you want to translate.
Step 3: Tap on the “Tools” option, then select “Translate” from the menu.
Step 4: Choose the source and target languages, and WPS will translate the document while maintaining its original layout.
Q3：What Is the Difference Between Interpreter and Translator PDF?
An interpreter is a person who translates spoken language in real-time. A translator is a person who translates written language. In the context of PDFs, an interpreter would translate the text in a PDF as it is being spoken, while a translator would translate the text in a PDF into another language.
Summary
The area of PDF translation has undergone a revolution, thanks to the advent of efficient and powerful tools. Whether it's Google Translate's web-oriented solution or WPS Office's comprehensive desktop software, converting PDFs into English is now just a matter of a few clicks. These advancements have brought global languages closer, fostering seamless information exchange in our increasingly interconnected world.
Looking at the wealth of options, WPS Office holds a distinctive edge, making it a top recommendation for English PDF translations in 2024. The diverse features, coupled with its user-friendly interface, position it as a versatile tool for both personal and commercial needs. Given its impressive translation accuracy, broad format support, and no-cost access, WPS Office rightfully earns its place as the frontrunner in the PDF translation domain.
