Pleco
Why You Need It
Chinese menus, signs, and labels are almost entirely in Chinese characters — and even Google Translate struggles with stylised restaurant fonts and dim lighting. Pleco's camera translate feature handles both instantly and works fully offline without a VPN. Whether you're deciphering a menu at a local noodle shop or reading a medicine label at a pharmacy, Pleco gives you reliable translations without needing any internet connection.
Pleco is free to download with a built-in dictionary covering 130,000 words. The camera OCR feature is a one-time paid add-on (around £9.99) — well worth it for a trip to China.
Installation
- 1
Download Pleco
Search 'Pleco' in the App Store (iOS) or Google Play (Android) and install it. The base app is free — no account needed.
- 2
Download offline dictionary packs
Open the app → tap the search bar → go to Settings → Manage Dictionaries. The built-in CC-CEDICT and PLC dictionaries download automatically and work offline.
- 3
Buy the OCR camera add-on (recommended)
Go to Store inside Pleco → tap 'OCR' and purchase. This unlocks the live camera translation feature — essential for menus and signs.
- 4
Allow camera access
When prompted, grant camera permission so the OCR and live camera translate features work.
Usage Tips
- Live camera translate: Tap the camera icon and point at any Chinese text — Pleco overlays the translation in real time. More accurate than Google Lens for menus and hand-lettered signs.
- Tap-to-lookup in camera mode: Tap any word on screen to get the full dictionary entry, including Pinyin pronunciation and example sentences.
- Handwriting input: If you see a character you can't photograph, switch to handwriting mode and draw it with your finger — Pleco recognises hand-drawn characters.
- Paste from other apps: Copy any Chinese text from WeChat, a website, or a food delivery app and paste it into Pleco's search bar for an instant lookup.
- Audio pronunciation: Tap the speaker icon next to any word to hear correct Mandarin pronunciation — useful when asking a local for directions.
- Traditional and Simplified: Pleco handles both character sets. If you visit Hong Kong or Macau, it covers Traditional Chinese too.
Troubleshooting
Camera translate not working? The OCR feature requires a one-time in-app purchase from the Pleco Store. If it's greyed out, go to Store → OCR to unlock it.
Wrong definition at the top of results? Pleco lists multiple definitions ordered by frequency. Scroll down — less common meanings appear lower. Tap each result to see the full context and example sentences before choosing.
Characters not recognised in dim light? Tap the flashlight icon in camera mode to enable the torch. Hold your phone steady and fill the frame with the text — accuracy drops significantly when characters are small or blurry.
App won't download in China? Download Pleco before you arrive — the App Store and Google Play work in China but can be slow. The offline dictionary works immediately after download with no internet required.