In the digital age, YouTube has become a global crossroads of ideas, entertainment and discussions. It is not uncommon to come across videos whose comments come from users of every part of the world, making conversations incredibly varied, but sometimes incomprehensible because of the language. If you've ever wondered how to understand the meaning of a comment in Russian, Japanese or any other language, you're in the right place.
This guide has been designed to provide you with all the necessary solutions to translate comments on YouTube in Italian, quickly and easily. We will explore together the different options available, both integrated into the platform itself and external tools, suitable for every type of device: from your smartphone to your computer, to the Smart TV. Forget the language barriers and prepare to fully immerse yourself in conversations under your favorite videos.
Using the Integrated YouTube Translation: Easy but with Limits
The YouTube platform offers a native translation feature that makes it very easy to understand comments. However, it is important to note a limit: this option is not always available for translation from English to Italian directly in the app, at least not when this guide is drafted. Let's see how it works and what to do when this option is not present.
Integrated Translation on Mobile App (Android/iOS/iPadOS)
For most languages (with the exception of English), the process is extremely intuitive:
- Open the YouTube app on your mobile device.
- Search and start playback of your interest video.
- Scroll down up to the comment section, usually placed under the interaction buttons (Like, Share, etc.).
- Find the comment that you want to translate. Under it, you should find the voice Italian translation. Just a simple touch to view the translation.
- If you want to return to the original language, you can touch View original.
Integrated PC Translation
Even by browsing YouTube from the computer browser, you can use the native translation functionality. Usually, under the comments written in a language other than Italian, the option will appear Italian translation, working similarly to the mobile app. However, here too, alternative solutions may be needed for English.
Advanced Strategies for Translation on Smartphone and Tablet
When integrated translation is not enough, especially for English, or if you prefer a different approach, your smartphone or tablet can turn into a powerful translation tool. Let's see the options available for Android and iOS/iPadOS.
For Android Devices
Android users have several effective solutions:
- Using Google Assistant and Google Lens for instant translation:
- Make sure that Google Assistant is active on your device (if you have any doubts, see the system settings for activation).
- In the comments section of YouTube, positioned on the comment to be translated.
- Call the voice assistant by saying “Hey Google” or holding the switch on/off.
- At this point, you may see a button Translate. Tap it to take a screenshot that will be automatically processed by Google Lens, showing the translation.
- If the button does not appear, pronounce the voice command “Hey Google, translate the text of this screen” or “Translate text of this screen” after calling the assistant. Also in this case, a screenshot will be acquired and Lens will provide translation.
- Make sure the languages are set correctly (e.g. “Receive language” or “English” as a language of departure and “Italian” as a language of arrival).
- Translation via Google Translate app (with screenshot):
- Capture a screenshot of the comments you intend to translate. Modes may vary slightly between devices, but often include the combination of volume down keys and ignition.
- Open the app Google Translate (free of charge from the Play Store if not already present).
- Tap the icon of the Camera down to the right.
- Select the gallery icon on the bottom left and choose the screenshot just captured.
- Google Lens will automatically process the image and provide the translation. If necessary, manually adjust the source and destination languages via the buttons at the top or bottom.
- Integrated tunnel/photo functions (for some manufacturers):
Some smartphones, like those Xiaomi, integrate translation features directly into their Gallery apps. After taking the screenshot, open it in the Gallery, look for the “Google Lens” option (often under a three-point menu) and then the “Translate” button. The app too Google Photos offers a similar function: open the screenshot, tap the “Lens” icon in the bottom bar and then “Translate”.
For iPhone and iPad
Practical solutions also exist for Apple devices:
- Use the Active Text function (Live Text on iOS/iPadOS 15 or later):
This feature allows you to detect text within images and translate it. It is available on recent models (iPhone XR or later, iPhone SE 2a gen. or later; iPad Pro 3a gen. 12.9” or later, iPad Air 3a gen. or later, iPad 8a gen. or later, iPad mini 5a gen. or later).
- Capture a screenshot of YouTube comments to translate.
- Open the screenshot from the preview at the bottom left or directly from the app Photos.
- Tap the icon of the Actual text (usually three dashes with a dotted frame) at the bottom right to select the text.
- Press the button Translate which appears on the lower left. The text will be automatically translated into Italian.
- Translation via Google Translate app (with screenshot):
If your iPhone or iPad does not support Active Text or prefer an alternative, the Google Translate app is an excellent choice. Steps are identical to those described for Android: take a screenshot of comments, open the Google Translate app, go to the “Photo Camera” section, select the screenshot from the gallery and wait for the translation.
How to Translate YouTube Comments from Computer (PC and Mac)
Navigating on YouTube from your computer offers different options for comment translation, taking advantage of both browser features and external tools.
Use Integrated Browser Features
Most modern browsers include translation tools:
- Google Chrome:
- In the comments section, select the comment text that interests you.
- Right-click the selected text and choose Translate selection in Italian from the context menu. A small window with the translation will appear under the address bar.
- Alternatively, to translate the entire page (including all comments), click the three vertical dots at the top right, select Translate.. and then choose Italian from the Google Translate window that appears.
- Mozilla Firefox:
- For a single comment, select the text, right click and choose Translate selection in Italian. A window of “BeTA Translation” will be displayed. You may need to check or adjust the starting and arrival languages.
- To translate the entire page, click the three horizontal indents at the top right, select Translate page.., set “English” (or the language detected) as a starting language and “Italian” as an arrival language, then click on Translate.
- Apple Safari (on Mac):
- Select the desired comment by pressing the left mouse button.
- Right-click the selected text and choose Translate “[Selected text] ” from the menu. Apple's browser will manage translation.
Advanced functionality on macOS (active text)
If you have a Mac with macOS 12 Monterey or later, you can use the Active Text function (Live Text), similar to the one on iPhone and iPad:
- Abilita Text Active: Open the door System Settings (big icon), go up General in the sidebar, then up Language and area and activate the option Actual text.
- Capture a screenshot of the comments to translate (Cmd + Shift + 4 and select the area, or Cmd + Shift + 3 for the entire screen).
- Click on the preview of the screenshot that appears at the bottom right.
- Click on the icon of the Actual text (three dashes with dotted frame) to detect the text.
- Finally, press the button Translate lower left to view the translation.
Universal Alternative: Google Translator Via Web (with screenshot)
This method is valid for any PC (Windows or Mac) and is useful when previous methods are not available or effective:
- Capture a screenshot of YouTube comments.
- Open the web browser and go to the website Google Translate.
- Click on the tab Image top left.
- Drag the screenshot from your computer to the dedicated section, or click on Browse your files to select it.
- Wait for Google Translator to process the image and display the translated text. Make sure the source and destination languages are set correctly.
Translate YouTube Comments from Smart TV
Unfortunately, the application of YouTube for Smart TV does not include a native feature for comment translation. In this scenario, your smartphone or tablet becomes indispensable.
Using Mobile Device for Translation on TV
Here's how you can proceed:
- Start the video of interest on your Smart TV and pause it when you see the comments you want to translate.
- Access the comments section of the video on TV, usually by selecting a comic icon with the remote control.
- With your smartphone or tablet in your hand:
- Universal method (with Google Translate): Open the Google Translate app, tap the icon of the Camera, set the starting language of the comment (e.g. English) and the arrival language (Italian). Pane the comment displayed on the TV with your device's camera to get instant translation.
- For Android users (with TV screenshot): Take a clear photo of the comments on the TV with the phone camera, then follow the steps described in the section “For Android Devices” (for example, using the Google Translate app with the image from the gallery or via Google Lens).
- For iPhone/iPad users (with Active Text or screenshot):
- Actual text: Open the app Camera, frame the comment on TV. When the text is detected, tap the icon of the Actual text which appears at the bottom right, then press Translate to get the translation.
- Screenshot of TV: If the quality of the live image is not optimal, take a photo of the comment on the TV, then open the photo in the app Photos and follow the steps for the Active Text as described in the section “For iPhone and iPad”. Alternatively, you can upload the photo to the Google Translate app.
Conclusions
Understanding comments on YouTube, regardless of their original language, is no longer an obstacle. Whether you're using your smartphone, computer or Smart TV, there are effective and accessible solutions to translate conversations and fully connect with the global community. We hope that this detailed guide has provided you with all the necessary tools and knowledge to break down each language barrier and fully enjoy the YouTube experience.
