4 Chrome extensions that instantly translate selected text

1. LinguaLeo English Translator

In addition to translation, LinguaLeo English Translator displays transcriptions of words and illustrations for them. The extension can read the original text using a speech synthesizer. It works best with single words or phrases, showing multiple translation options. But he also knows how to translate and not too voluminous fragments of text.

This translator is part of the LinguaLeo online service that helps you learn English vocabulary. Therefore, LinguaLeo English Translator has one significant advantage. You can save the selected words and phrases so that you can later memorize them using vocabulary cards and special exercises on the website or in the service applications. On the other hand, the extension only translates from English.

To see the window with the result, you can select the text and call LinguaLeo English Translator through the context menu. But if you need to translate one word, just double-click on it with the left mouse button. The extension also supports calling the translation using hotkeys.

2. "Google Translate"

If you're not in the know, Google Translate also has a Chrome extension. It supports many languages and does a good job of both single words, showing multiple translation options, and long texts.

Google Translate automatically detects the source language (although not as accurately as we would like). With the built-in speech synthesizer, you can listen to the approximate pronunciation of words.

Depending on the settings, the extension displays the translation immediately after one of the user actions: selecting the text, clicking on the corresponding button on the toolbar, or clicking on the icon that appears next to the selected text.

3. Reverso Context

Unlike other translators, the Reverso Context extension does not interpret phrases verbatim using algorithms. Instead, it searches the Web for human-made translations that are relevant to the query and returns them as results. And since no algorithm understands context as well as a human, Reverso Context often beats the competition when it comes to complex speech patterns.

The extension translates words and short phrases in a pop-up window. But if you select a lot of words, then the application will redirect you to a separate site, where it will translate them in a regular online translator and without regard to context. Reverso Context supports more than 12 languages, including English and Russian, and is capable of detecting the original language automatically.

You can open the window with the translation of the selected word or phrase through the context menu. The Reverso Context will then display the results along with examples of usage. The extension can read speech, stores the translation history and includes a dictionary in which you can save your favorite results to view them in applications or on the Reverso Context website.

4. ImTranslator

ImTranslator combines several translators: Google, Bing and native. You can switch between them using three tabs that are displayed in a pop-up window. Thus, the user receives three different translations of the selected text at once.

ImTranslator recognizes many languages and detects the original language automatically. The extension can read speech, stores the history of results and translates both single words and phrases, as well as long fragments of text.

You can call the window with the translation of the desired words using hot keys (having previously assigned them in the settings) or the button that appears after selecting a fragment. To translate one word, just double-click on it.