• Google Translate now understands slang, idioms, and local expressions
• New live translation plays directly through headphones
• Language learning tools get clearer feedback and progress tracking

Google has rolled out a major upgrade to Google Translate, making translations more natural and context-aware. The company said the app now uses its Gemini AI to translate meaning instead of just words, helping users better understand phrases, idioms, and everyday slang.

With this update, Google Translate can handle expressions that do not make sense when translated word by word. Gemini analyzes the context of a sentence and delivers translations that reflect the real meaning. This makes conversations, reading, and listening in other languages more accurate and easier to follow.

The update is already rolling out in the US and India. It supports translations between English and nearly 20 languages, including Hindi, Spanish, Chinese, Japanese, and German. Users can access the improved features on Android, iOS, and the web version of Google Translate.

Google has also introduced a new beta feature that allows real-time translations to play directly through headphones. Powered by Gemini’s speech-to-speech technology, the feature helps users listen to live translations during conversations, lectures, travel, or while watching foreign-language content. Users can turn it on by opening the app and tapping 'Live translate'.

The live audio translation beta is now available on Android in the US, India, and Mexico. It works with any headphones and supports more than 70 languages. Google said it plans to bring this feature to iOS and more countries in 2026.

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In addition, Google is improving Translate’s language-learning tools. Speaking practice now offers clearer and more helpful feedback. A new 'streak' feature tracks how many days users practice in a row, encouraging consistency.

These learning updates are expanding to nearly 20 more countries, including India, Germany, Sweden, and Taiwan. New language pairs also allow more users to learn and translate with ease.