Translation
LLMs can translate text between languages. They handle not just word-for-word translation, but also idioms, tone, and context.
Translate the following English text to Spanish:
"The early bird catches the worm, but the second mouse
gets the cheese."
The model translates the sentence, adapting the idiom naturally into the target language.
"Al que madruga, Dios le ayuda, pero el segundo ratón
se lleva el queso."
You can also ask the model to detect the source language automatically and translate to your target language.
Detect the language below and translate it to English:
"La simplicité est la sophistication suprême."
The model identifies French and translates it, noting the original attribution.
Language detected: French
Translation: "Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication."
(This quote is commonly attributed to Leonardo da Vinci.)
You can control the formality and style of the translation by adding instructions.
Translate "How are you doing today?" to Japanese.
Use casual/informal tone.
The model picks the right register — here using informal Japanese rather than the polite form.
今日、調子どう？(Kyou, choushi dou?)
Key takeaway: LLMs go beyond dictionary translation. Specify target language, tone, and formality to get the most natural output. For critical translations, always have a native speaker review.
Tips:
- Specify formality: "formal", "casual", "business"
- Request transliteration for non-Latin scripts
- Ask for alternatives: "give 2 possible translations"