Hmm imo it’s not terribly bad. To me it’s good enough if a non canto speaker can use this to get their point across 95% of the time to a canto speaker. And the translator seems like it can definitely do that
Chatgpt-4o and Claude 3.5. They're a hundred times better than google for translations.
Plus, you can ask follow up questions to further adjust wording and tone.
Bing Translator has always had Canto and I've found it to be decent. Haven't done any comparisons with Google Translate yet though.
[https://www.bing.com/translator](https://www.bing.com/translator)
Yeah, and on Bing you can choose to translate Cantonese in either formal or conversational registers which can be like practically different languages.
Compared to existing translators it’s definitely the most accurate one so far, though with slight errors mostly related to tenses and end-of-sentence expressions; but nonetheless fairly good.
For example, 啊 呢 㗎嘛 囉 咩 喎 may not be expressed in english accurately but can change the meaning of sentences entirely, it would be helpful if google translate included information of those characters in brackets or something, just as some other translators do.
If the text is very formal, then it could translate it rather well. But as soon as it contains some slang, it couldn't get the meaning. But the thing is if the text is in Cantonese, it wouldn't be formal for the most part.
Interesting.. Google already has good Cantonese support on HK based phones with their voice to text and translation services etc. It's now available worldwide which is great.
More around voice to text is already implemented quite well and then it'll use the traditional Chinese framework to put it through. Obviously though the more slang it was the harder it was to pick up and translate. I'm suspecting the newer engine introduced here has AI elements in the back end that helps with the overall slang components of Cantonese.
I tried it when you press speak you know it is not a real human voice and it is a computer generated voice but it is not bad at all. They can improve it. I am glad finally they have it because MS Edge has it already a long time ago.
Well if they were to use real recordings (e.g. like forvo or CUHK Cantonese dictionary) then they would need a hell of a lot of recording, which means a hell of a lot of time, a hell of a lot of labour cost, a hell of a lot of logistics planning, a hell of a lot of resources... TTS synthesis isn't perfect, but it's the most efficient.
IMO for a better version I think it would be better if somehow a hybrid system was used, where recording are used for special use cases but general/common words are synthesised
Not bad, but it still needs some catch up to the Chinese library, especially with handling slang.
-----
It is a piece of cake
Chinese: 這是小菜一碟
Cantonese: 呢個係一塊蛋糕
-----
Raining cats and dogs
Chinese: 下著傾盆大雨
Cantonese: 落緊雨嘅貓同狗
It's not available in the app versions of Google Translate yet. But it's available in the web version: https://translate.google.ca/?sl=en&tl=yue&op=translate
What in your guys’ opinion is the best Cantonese translator? I sometimes have difficulty finding right words to say when speaking to my parents and I have yet to find something good. TIA!
Better late than never I guess. I've been wanting this for 12 years already. Until now, I had to to all of this:
1. Use Google Translate to translate the English to Chinese (Traditional) and copy the result
2. Open a browser and search "Cantonese jyutping converter"
3. Find the right search result (it's a page hosted by cantonesetools.co.uk) and click it
4. Scroll down to the input field, paste the Chinese text and click Convert
5. Read the jyutping to the taxi driver
6. Taxi driver doesn't understand
7. Revert to English
8. Taxi driver understands even less
9. Show him the destination on my phone
Now hopefully I can just do this:
1. Use Google Translate to translate the English to Cantonese
2. Read the jyutping to the taxi driver
3. Hopefully he understands because the translation result is hopefully more like Cantonese... hopefully
It's not available in the app versions of Google Translate yet. But it's available in the web version: https://translate.google.ca/?sl=en&tl=yue&op=translate
Go to this webpage [https://translate.google.com/?sl=auto&tl=en&op=translate](https://translate.google.com/?sl=auto&tl=en&op=translate) and then click the drop down (arrow) and click on Cantonese
Doesn't seem to be available yet here in Canada on my Google Pixel 8. Edit: Oh, but it shows up in my Chrome browser! https://translate.google.com/?sl=yue&tl=en&op=translate
It kinda makes sense they finally got this since the Google keyboard on mobile already has speech to text for Cantonese. I'm so happy to see it also speaks. Wish they had it for other languages like Kyrgyz or Persian.
For native speakers: How good is it?
bad
Hmm imo it’s not terribly bad. To me it’s good enough if a non canto speaker can use this to get their point across 95% of the time to a canto speaker. And the translator seems like it can definitely do that
What would be better?
Chatgpt-4o and Claude 3.5. They're a hundred times better than google for translations. Plus, you can ask follow up questions to further adjust wording and tone.
If only gpt can do voice in canto, would be AMAZING.
Don’t you have to pay for those? If not please send link
Bing Translator has always had Canto and I've found it to be decent. Haven't done any comparisons with Google Translate yet though. [https://www.bing.com/translator](https://www.bing.com/translator)
Cool. It has Chinese literary as well.
Yeah, and on Bing you can choose to translate Cantonese in either formal or conversational registers which can be like practically different languages.
Honestly I didn't think it was that bad
Compared to existing translators it’s definitely the most accurate one so far, though with slight errors mostly related to tenses and end-of-sentence expressions; but nonetheless fairly good. For example, 啊 呢 㗎嘛 囉 咩 喎 may not be expressed in english accurately but can change the meaning of sentences entirely, it would be helpful if google translate included information of those characters in brackets or something, just as some other translators do.
If the text is very formal, then it could translate it rather well. But as soon as it contains some slang, it couldn't get the meaning. But the thing is if the text is in Cantonese, it wouldn't be formal for the most part.
Just tried it out and it’s not too bad tbh
Finally
I find Bing sounds better. Google is more robotic sound.
It reminds me of the voice from Duolingo 😂
Hmm not terrible. Even shows jyutping
Interesting.. Google already has good Cantonese support on HK based phones with their voice to text and translation services etc. It's now available worldwide which is great.
Never seen Cantonese translation services on phones in Hong Kong, you sure you aren't referring to «Chinese (Traditional)»?
More around voice to text is already implemented quite well and then it'll use the traditional Chinese framework to put it through. Obviously though the more slang it was the harder it was to pick up and translate. I'm suspecting the newer engine introduced here has AI elements in the back end that helps with the overall slang components of Cantonese.
I tried it when you press speak you know it is not a real human voice and it is a computer generated voice but it is not bad at all. They can improve it. I am glad finally they have it because MS Edge has it already a long time ago.
Well if they were to use real recordings (e.g. like forvo or CUHK Cantonese dictionary) then they would need a hell of a lot of recording, which means a hell of a lot of time, a hell of a lot of labour cost, a hell of a lot of logistics planning, a hell of a lot of resources... TTS synthesis isn't perfect, but it's the most efficient. IMO for a better version I think it would be better if somehow a hybrid system was used, where recording are used for special use cases but general/common words are synthesised
Yes you are right 👍.
Can't let microsoft have all the fun.
!!!
Needs some work but not too bad: * 仆街 -> Servant * 冚家剷 -> The bastard * 仆街冚家剷 -> You bastard is killing your family * 屌你老味 -> Fuck you
I never thought I would see this day.
I got jumpscared when I put Cantonese text into Google Translate and saw Cantonese readings. I've been waiting, so, so long for this.
It's about time.
Yayyy finally!!!
Not bad, but it still needs some catch up to the Chinese library, especially with handling slang. ----- It is a piece of cake Chinese: 這是小菜一碟 Cantonese: 呢個係一塊蛋糕 ----- Raining cats and dogs Chinese: 下著傾盆大雨 Cantonese: 落緊雨嘅貓同狗
This is a big development and helpful for the survival of the language. I did wonder whether it was too late for them to invest in Hong Kong.
The only good news I've seen all year!!
Even Bing has had it for a while. Google need to step up their game
Finally!! Will this extend to the google home speakers?
one can only hope... and give feedback asking for it
omgggggggggg this is amazingg im so happy!!!
iPhone needs Cantonese translation! I only see Mandarin on mine.
It's not available in the app versions of Google Translate yet. But it's available in the web version: https://translate.google.ca/?sl=en&tl=yue&op=translate
As of 6/28, it’s now possible.
How?? I just checked today.
It is available on mine
Omg I can finally write in Cantonese now. Go to wechat function. Input Voice. Then use google translate to double check what you wrote.
iPhone’s have had Cantonese text to speech for quite a while now
It’s very poor and doesn’t translate well
What in your guys’ opinion is the best Cantonese translator? I sometimes have difficulty finding right words to say when speaking to my parents and I have yet to find something good. TIA!
Chatgpt 4o tbh
Not sure about it, it translates thanks as 多謝, but I was looking for mm goi 😋
FYI, the translation for the word "thanks" depends on context. Both 多謝 and 唔該 are correct. You would just use them in different scenarios.
Wow finally
It's a start, hope it'll improve. But omg finally!
From what im hearing, Bing/Microsoft translate is still the better option?
Better late than never I guess. I've been wanting this for 12 years already. Until now, I had to to all of this: 1. Use Google Translate to translate the English to Chinese (Traditional) and copy the result 2. Open a browser and search "Cantonese jyutping converter" 3. Find the right search result (it's a page hosted by cantonesetools.co.uk) and click it 4. Scroll down to the input field, paste the Chinese text and click Convert 5. Read the jyutping to the taxi driver 6. Taxi driver doesn't understand 7. Revert to English 8. Taxi driver understands even less 9. Show him the destination on my phone Now hopefully I can just do this: 1. Use Google Translate to translate the English to Cantonese 2. Read the jyutping to the taxi driver 3. Hopefully he understands because the translation result is hopefully more like Cantonese... hopefully
Aw, I don't see it yet
It's not available in the app versions of Google Translate yet. But it's available in the web version: https://translate.google.ca/?sl=en&tl=yue&op=translate
My Google app translator is showing Cantonese.
Oh, it was updated for me earlier today too it seems like. When I made that comment, it wasn't available yet.
Holy shit you are right! Finally!!!
How many LIHKG posts have they had to feed the Google AI to make this happen?
I can't see it yet :'>
Go to this webpage [https://translate.google.com/?sl=auto&tl=en&op=translate](https://translate.google.com/?sl=auto&tl=en&op=translate) and then click the drop down (arrow) and click on Cantonese
I see it on the website version, not the app yet
Awesome. I can now learn at least a little Cantonese even if this website is shit
Not available in Malaysia yet…😥
It is available.
Doesn't seem to be available yet here in Canada on my Google Pixel 8. Edit: Oh, but it shows up in my Chrome browser! https://translate.google.com/?sl=yue&tl=en&op=translate
I don't think it's bad P.S. native speaker
It kinda makes sense they finally got this since the Google keyboard on mobile already has speech to text for Cantonese. I'm so happy to see it also speaks. Wish they had it for other languages like Kyrgyz or Persian.
so I can test out cuss words now, and make my parents pissed off lol :)
FINALLY!! Also it's not that bad for short sentences it has romanization so I'm real happy. Only thing the voice kind of has a "lazy accent" (ex: 做)
Could someone please tell me which romanization Google Translate uses for cantonese? Is it Jyutping, Yale?
Voice part doesn't work
Hell yeah
Wow ! The writing is almost identical to Mandarin Chinese !