Use a general translator for sentences and camera translation, then keep Pleco for Chinese words, characters and pronunciation. On Android, that often means Google Translate plus Pleco. On iPhone, Apple Translate is a strong built-in option, and Google Translate can remain a second camera tool if you already use it.
| Tool | Best at | Not the whole solution |
|---|---|---|
| Google Translate | Camera, text, speech, conversations and downloaded languages | Availability and online behavior can depend on your connection |
| Apple Translate | Built-in iPhone text, camera, conversation and on-device translation | Apple-only and limited to supported languages/features |
| Pleco | Chinese dictionary lookup, characters, handwriting, pronunciation and deeper meaning | It is not primarily a natural back-and-forth travel conversation app |
For a restaurant menu
Use camera translation to understand the page, but inspect dish names rather than trusting a full-screen overlay. Decorative fonts, vertical text, handwritten specials and regional dish names can produce strange results. Photograph the original before the translation covers it.
For a driver or hotel receptionist
Type one short sentence. Show both the English and Chinese result. Avoid speaking a long paragraph into conversation mode while the other person waits. For addresses, show the original Chinese booking text rather than retranslating the hotel name.
For one Chinese word you keep seeing
Pleco is better when the problem is the character itself: several meanings, pronunciation, handwriting or the difference between similar words. Its core dictionary works offline after setup, while some OCR and dictionary add-ons are paid.
Build a small offline folder
- Hotel name and full Chinese address.
- Allergy or dietary restriction.
- Payment failure.
- “Please speak more slowly.”
- Emergency assistance.
- Your next station or attraction in Chinese.
FAQ
Can I trust camera translation for an allergy?
No. Use a prepared Chinese allergy card and choose a restaurant that can confirm the ingredients.
Should I install all three?
No. Install one general translator and Pleco if you want reliable word-level help.
Can translation apps translate Chinese apps on screen?
Features differ by phone. Screenshots and camera translation are often the simplest fallback.
Official information to check
- Google official guide to camera, conversation and offline translation
- Apple official guide to conversation and on-device translation
- Pleco official product and offline dictionary information
Save human-readable backups: China survival phrases by situation.