# Google API: Translate text

> Translates up to 5,000 characters on Google Translate, with the detected source language, Latin-letter pronunciation when shown, and dictionary alternatives for words or short phrases.

Unofficial. Not affiliated with or endorsed by Google.

- Page: https://fous.com/methods/translate.google.com/translate-text
- Method: `translate.google.com/translate_text`, version 1
- Website: translate.google.com
- Returns: translated text, source and target language, pronunciation, alternative translations
- Effect: read (it gets data and changes nothing)
- Sign-in: none needed
- Cost: 1 credit per completed run (1¢ with pay as you go); failed runs are free
- Verified: Nov 2, 2026

## Inputs

| Field | Type | Required | In the run below | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| `text` | string | yes | `"bank"` | Text to translate, for example Good morning. |
| `source_language` | string | no | `"English"` | Language name or code of the text, or auto-detect, for example English or auto-detect. Default "auto-detect". |
| `target_language` | string | yes | `"French"` | Language name or code to translate into, for example Spanish or es. |

## Output

From a run on Oct 31, 2026, shortened. Its input:

```json
{
  "text": "bank",
  "source_language": "English",
  "target_language": "French"
}
```

Its output:

```json
{
  "pronunciation": null,
  "source_language": "English",
  "target_language": "French",
  "translated_text": "banque",
  "source_language_code": "en",
  "target_language_code": "fr",
  "alternative_translations": [
    {
      "word_type": "noun",
      "alternative": "rive"
    },
    {
      "word_type": "noun",
      "alternative": "banc"
    },
    {
      "word_type": "noun",
      "alternative": "bord"
    }
  ]
}
```

## Run it

From code, with a Fous API key in `FOUS_API_KEY`; the answer's `data` holds the output:

```bash
curl https://api.fous.com/v1/runs \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $FOUS_API_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"method":"translate.google.com/translate_text","input":{"text":"bank","source_language":"English","target_language":"French"}}'
```

From an AI agent connected to the Fous MCP server: its `run` with the same method and input. To connect one, give it `set up https://fous.com/SKILL.md`.

## Ask your agent

- How do you say 'Where is the nearest train station?' in Japanese, and how is it pronounced in romaji?
- Use Google Translate to turn this German paragraph into English: 'Wir freuen uns, Ihnen mitteilen zu können, dass Ihre Bestellung versandt wurde.'
- What language is 'Ninapenda kusoma vitabu' and what does it mean in English?
- Give me the Korean translation of 'thank you very much' plus any alternative ways to say it.
- Translate 'bonjour, je voudrais réserver une table pour deux' from French to Italian on Google, please.

## Input schema

```json
{
  "type": "object",
  "required": [
    "text",
    "target_language"
  ],
  "properties": {
    "text": {
      "type": "string",
      "maxLength": 5000,
      "description": "Text to translate, for example Good morning."
    },
    "source_language": {
      "type": "string",
      "default": "auto-detect",
      "description": "Language name or code of the text, or auto-detect, for example English or auto-detect."
    },
    "target_language": {
      "type": "string",
      "description": "Language name or code to translate into, for example Spanish or es."
    }
  }
}
```

## Output schema

```json
{
  "type": "object",
  "required": [
    "translated_text",
    "source_language",
    "target_language",
    "pronunciation",
    "alternative_translations",
    "source_language_code",
    "target_language_code"
  ],
  "properties": {
    "pronunciation": {
      "type": [
        "string",
        "null"
      ],
      "description": "Latin-letter pronunciation of the translated text, if shown."
    },
    "source_language": {
      "type": "string",
      "description": "Detected or chosen source language name."
    },
    "target_language": {
      "type": "string",
      "description": "Target language name."
    },
    "translated_text": {
      "type": "string",
      "description": "Translated text."
    },
    "source_language_code": {
      "type": "string",
      "x-fous-developer": true
    },
    "target_language_code": {
      "type": "string",
      "x-fous-developer": true
    },
    "alternative_translations": {
      "type": "array",
      "items": {
        "type": "object",
        "required": [
          "alternative",
          "word_type"
        ],
        "properties": {
          "word_type": {
            "type": "string"
          },
          "alternative": {
            "type": "string"
          }
        },
        "additionalProperties": false
      },
      "description": "Other translations shown for words or short phrases."
    }
  },
  "additionalProperties": false
}
```

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- [All Google methods](https://fous.com/methods/google.com.md)