Help › Sentence translation
Sentence translation
When what you look up is a phrase or a sentence rather than a single word, RealDict shows a translation alongside the dictionary results.
When a translation appears
- When you type a phrase or sentence in the main window’s search field
- When the text you look up with the shortcut (⌃⌥D) or the menu bar is a phrase or sentence
Words you look up by hovering are never sent for translation.
Translation providers
| Provider | What you need | Where the text goes |
|---|---|---|
| Apple Translation (default) | macOS 15 or later and the language pack. Free, no key. | Stays on your Mac |
| DeepL | Your own DeepL API key | DeepL |
| Azure Translator | Your own Azure Translator key | Microsoft (Azure) |
Apple Translation
The default. Translation runs on your Mac, so the text never leaves it. It needs macOS 15 or later and the language pack for the languages you translate.
Apple Translation isn’t available on macOS 14. To translate there, enter a DeepL or Azure Translator key.
DeepL and Azure Translator Optional
Available once you enter your own API key, which is stored in the macOS Keychain. When you choose one of them, the text to translate and your key go to that provider, and pricing and usage follow your own account.
The privacy policy lists what each provider receives.