Did you come across the phrase 사랑해 (Sa-rang-hae) and want to know what it means? (Psst! This actually means “I love you.”) Well, you need to ready your phone and install some of the Korean Translator Apps we’ll cover below to kickstart your language-learning journey in Korean the right way! If you’re ready for that and more, keep reading!
The first time I visited Seoul, I went utterly commando. I literally spent my days with no translator apps or any of those fancy translator devices at all. You see, I was confident that everybody would speak English, and boy, oh boy, right at the end of the first day, I did the same search as you do right now: Korean Translation Apps.
Don’t get me wrong. Korea is a very advanced and international country, especially Seoul, where many foreigners live and travel. However, not everything is translated, and sometimes you need to know what is written in Korean. For example, one of the first experiences that made me think that I might need a translator app was at my first lunch in Seoul. Unfortunately, I ordered something I didn’t want because I misunderstood the menu, which was fully in Korean. From then on, I realized that just looking at the pictures was not enough!
Having an 번역기 앱 (beon-yeoggi aeb) (yes, I looked this translation up on a translation app) on your phone is a tool that you may not even use, but it is always nice to have in case of an emergency. It can also be beneficial the other way around. For instance, you can use it if you want to say something to somebody who only speaks Korean. You can simply write it in your native language on the app and present it to them in Korean!
I can’t even begin to tell you how many interesting conversations I had with lovely local people simply by relying on a translator app. Not a single word was exchanged, all by writing on my phone and showing the person in their language! How amazing is the world of technology?
So as you can see, there is absolutely no downside in having an app like this ready on your phone for these occasions. Furthermore, by using these apps, you will even start to memorize some sentences and eventually don’t need them anymore!
Going back to my first visit to Seoul, I searched for the best apps to translate Korean, and my search came a bit short. I couldn’t figure out which one was the best for me to use. Thus, I decided to make this article with the best Korean Translator Apps so you can choose the one you like the most, download it and start communicating with the Korean people! Let’s get started!
What To Look For In A Korean Translator App
Not all translator apps do the same, so it is essential to know what you need and what you’re looking for on one of these apps. Some apps only give you literal translations, while others may even be able to translate idioms and colloquial phrases.
This is a very important feature of every app that you should consider because the last thing you may want is to be saying something with full confidence only to find out that it means something completely different! A simple example is the phrase “a piece of cake,” which is literally translated to 케이크 조각 (keikeu jogag) or “cake piece.” The correct translation from “piece of cake” as something easy to Korean is actually 식은 죽 먹기 (sig-eun jug meoggi), which translates to “like eating cold porridge.” Not all translator apps can pick up these little details.
You need to evaluate your needs if you’re learning and want to translate simple words or you’re a more advanced speaker who needs an accurate app with some basic Korean knowledge and can pick up these details. Anyway, next I’ll let you know all the best apps you can use, and you can decide which is the right one for you!
5 Best Korean Translator Apps
Naver Korean Dictionary
This is the holy grail of Korean translations. Naver Korean Dictionary is a complete and accurate translator that will present you with several choices of translations and variations, describing the best situations to use each option. There is also the Naver app, but unfortunately, it is all in Korean, so it is only for more advanced Korean speakers.
Reasons to try:
- Best for beginners and people with little knowledge of Korean
- Includes several variations and alternative phrases to explore
Available on:
iOS, Android, and Web browsers
Papago Translate
Another great option is Papago Translate. Naver also created this app, which works as a lite version of the previous option. It does not include a dictionary function and is a true translator app. One of the best features is the possibility to save the words you look for in a favorites folder, which is very useful if you’re always searching for the exact words.
Reasons to try:
- Best choice for travelers and on-the-go translation
- Very user-friendly and easy interface
Available on:
iOS, Android, and Google Chrome
Google Translate
Google Translate is probably the most used and most-known translation app in the world, and its Korean translations are simply outstanding. Most of the time, the translation is accurate, and variations are presented. However, this app has the abovementioned issue, where sometimes it presents a translation not used by Koreans.
Reasons to try:
- Quick and easy to use
- Several more languages besides Korean
Available on:
iOS, Android, and Web browser
Daum Dictionary
Daum Dictionary is an option for more advanced Korean speakers. You can look up words and see their translation from Korean to English or only in Korean. As you’re looking for it backward, you can easily recognize something wrong when it translates to English.
Reasons to try:
- Best for advanced speakers
- Available to look for words from English to Korean or just Korean
Available on:
iOS, Android, and Web browser
GreenLife Korean English Translator
This app not only translates text and speech but also shows alternatives for your sentences if it identifies errors. When you enter something for a translation, it analyses your sentences and suggests corrections and variations for you to use. Not only can you see if what you wrote is correct, but you can also learn the translation.
Reasons to try:
- Includes romanization of the main translation
- A great option for on-the-go translation needs
Available on:
Android
Wrapping Up!
As you can see, there are tons of options for you to be able to translate words from Korean and increase your knowledge of this language. However, these apps will not teach you all you need about Korean. If you want to invest in learning this incredible language, you need something else. You need a place filled with grammar, vocabulary, and a structured teaching format that can orient you into complete fluency in Korean.
As if this list of the best translator apps was not enough, I also have a great app where you can learn Korean in no time – Ling app!
Learn Korean With Ling App
Ling app is a language learning application with the sole purpose of teaching you more than 60 languages in fun and engaging ways. If you were thinking of boring textbooks and tiring lessons where you feel you learned nothing, forget about it! This application sits perfectly on your favorite device, so you can access it anytime and anywhere!
Ling app is there to help you every time you want to discover new particularities about the Korean language. So what are you waiting for? Join millions of language learners who are moving forward with their learning journey thanks to Ling app.
Whether you’re going to school, waiting for a doctor’s appointment, or just chilling at home, with only 15 minutes a day, you can drastically improve your fluency in Korean. Download the Ling app now on the Play Store or App Store and maximize your time learning any language!
