It can be too easy to rely on translator apps, especially because of their convenience. But they can also be one of the reasons you don’t succeed in learning Korean. Sure, Korean translator apps can be super helpful if you use them right. One Major Caveat: Avoid Translator App Dependence! Once you decide how you’ll be using the app, you can find one that meets your needs. You need to ask yourself: are you translating from speech or text most? Are you looking for something that needs some basic knowledge of Korean to make it useful? Or are you a beginner and need something that simplifies it – even helping you read Hangul, the Korean script? For example, of you look up “a piece of cake,” then a literal translation will pull up 케이크 조각 ( keikeu jogag), which means “cake piece.” What you actually wanted to say was “it was easy,” and that’s 식은 죽 먹기 ( sig-eun jug meoggi) which in Korean is the idiom “like eating cold porridge.” This is important to note because you may want to say something that doesn’t have a natural translation in Korean. Others may translate idioms and colloquial phrases accurately. For instance, some translators may only give literal translations. Are you learning Korean to travel to Korea? Or are you trying to get a deeper knowledge of the language for reading books? Is your primary goal to consume Korean media, or talk to locals?Įvery translator app is different, and they usually focus on one aspect over another. What to Look for in a Korean Translator Appįirst, you’ll want to take the time to test a few and see if they meet your needs. Korean translators apps all have their pros and cons. Meanwhile, a text translator helps you when reading Korean articles online. A Korean to English speech translator is handy when a language exchange hits a rough spot. Having a good English to Korean translator app will help you look up words as you want to learn them and add them to your study list.ĭifferent translators have different purposes, so it can be worth using more than one app. Like when you’re watching a K-Drama on your commute, and want to look up the word for “love triangle” (it’s 삼각관계, samgag gwangye, by the way). It can be difficult starting out if you haven’t met a community of language learners or a language exchange partner to help you make heads or tails of Korean.Īnd besides that, it’s always helpful to have an accurate Korean translator on hand when you’re studying on the go. Learning Korean and need a little help getting by? Then you need a great Korean translator app!Įveryone needs a little help sometimes when learning a new language. Full disclosure: This post contains affiliate links.

Translate korean to english keyboard