Is there a way to be able just click a word and get its translation while reading .pdf files? Google Dictionary is very useful plugin for Chrome but works only for web pages. Does something similar exist to use with .pdf?
I'm using Windows. I've found plugins for Chrome built-in reader. All them do nothing in pdf. I can use any other pdf reader if there is one with such translation plugin, but can't find anything like that.
In my option for Windows the best option is QTranslate. Just select any word or text and double press CTRL.
QTranslate will automatically popup window with translation and additional info (depending on service you selected)
You can set input/output languages, translation service (google, yandex, etc...).
It has many other features and options.
And it's free!
And it's just 1 MB!
Download Foxit reader. it is pdf program with translate option. Great program. much better than adobe reader. and it is FREE.
The other option is Babylon, it is perfect and contains all the dictionaries and languages. but it is very expensive. it works with mousewheel click.
The one extension I know work with chrome'spdf viewer is called reference.com dictionary lookup it will dd the extension and just select the text and then right click to translate it. From the store...
Simply adds an icon to the address bar and to the right click menu whenever you select text on a page. Clicking the icon or the menu item will open a new tab at reference.dictionary.com to show you the definition of the word(s) you have selected.
You can also try instant translate and see if it works for you.
Firefox + Quick Translator works fine for me. However Quick Translator is not available for current version (40) of Firefox. You can either find another addon or download an old Firefox browser just for reading.
I support SumatraPDF which can send the current selection in PDF ePub etc. to other sites mentioned in other answers so has options for default of Google / Deepl and you can set your own customised settings for QTanslate amongst others.
However the modern native Windows application for ePub and PDF is MS Edge. Which has Read Aloud or Translate options or use the menu options such as Co-Pilot for AI, translate & read aloud or send to another service.
One can use Google Scholar PDF Reader (Chrome extension) to be able just click a word and get its translation while reading .pdf files:
output:
