Four tones
In Mandarin, mā, má, mǎ and mà are different words. Literal translation ignores that layer, which is why word-for-word apps produce sentences that confuse people.
Mandarin voice translator
Speak English and hear the translation in Mandarin. Tolk translates the reply back to you, with attention to tone and meaning.
5 free minutes included
Translate English and Mandarin out loud.
Choose English and Mandarin, then start a session. Tolk listens to both languages and speaks each translation out loud. Ask a question in a shop, talk with family or work out the details of your trip.
- Spoken and on-screen translation
- The other person needs no app
Mandarin translation with context.
English↔Mandarin
Context does the work
Mandarin drops what is obvious and leans on context. Meaning-aware translation fills that in; literal translation leaves gaps or guesses wrong.
Politeness is phrasing
A direct question that works in English can land abrupt in Chinese. Tolk translates how it should sound, not just what was said.
How to translate a conversation with Tolk.
- 01
Download Tolk
Available on the App Store and Google Play. Start with 5 free minutes.
- 02
Choose English and Mandarin
Select the two languages for your conversation. Tolk translates in both directions.
- 03
Start your conversation
Take turns speaking and let the translation play. In a noisy place, hold the phone closer to your mouth.
Frequently asked questions
Contact usDoes Tolk translate spoken English to Mandarin in real time?
Yes. You speak English, and moments later the other person hears it spoken in Mandarin. It works in both directions: Tolk hears the Chinese reply and speaks it back to you in English.
Why is Mandarin hard for regular translator apps?
Mandarin is tonal: the same syllable means completely different things depending on tone. It also leans on context and measure words that literal translation mangles. Meaning-aware translation matters more in Mandarin than in most languages.
Does it understand different accents of Mandarin?
Yes. Tolk is built for real speech, including regional accents, and translates the meaning of what was said rather than matching dictionary entries syllable by syllable.
Does the other person need the app?
No. Only one person needs Tolk on an iPhone or Android phone. Start a session and take turns speaking. In a noisy place, hold the phone closer to whoever is speaking.
Is it free to try in China or Taiwan?
Yes. New accounts include 5 free minutes, with no payment details required. On Android, choose 90 minutes for $9.99/month, 500 minutes for $59.99/year, or a one-time 60-minute pack for $6.99. New iOS plans are coming; check the App Store for current prices.
Which other languages does Tolk speak?
Over 50, including Cantonese via Mandarin, Japanese, Korean, Thai, Vietnamese, Spanish and Arabic, with special attention to tonal and context-heavy languages.
Try real-time voice translation.
Start with 5 free minutes on iPhone or Android.