Easydict – A Minimal and Elegant Dictionary Translation Tool for macOS

Overview

Easydict is a minimalist and user-friendly dictionary translation application designed specifically for macOS, offering an elegant way to look up words or translate text. It is ready to use out of the box, requiring no complex setup for a smooth translation experience. Featuring offline OCR recognition, word selection translation, and screenshot translation, it can simultaneously query results from multiple translation services.

Core Features

🎯 Smart Translation

• Ready to Use: Start using immediately after installation, no complicated settings needed
• Automatic Language Detection: Smartly identifies the input language and automatically queries the preferred target language
• Smart Query Mode: Intelligently selects the optimal translation service based on query content

🖱️ Multiple Query Methods

• Word Selection Translation: Automatically displays a query icon when text is selected; hover with mouse to translate
• Inline Input Translation: Directly input text within the app for translation
• OCR Screenshot Translation: Supports system-level OCR screenshot recognition with silent translation
• In-App Query: Supports direct querying within the app window

🎙️ Voice Features

• TTS Text-to-Speech: Supports system TTS and online TTS services from Bing, Google, Youdao, and Baidu
• Multi-Language Pronunciation: Supports pronunciation for words and sentences in multiple languages

📚 Dictionary Support

• Apple System Dictionary: Natively integrated with macOS system dictionary
• Third-Party Dictionaries: Supports manual import of mdict-formatted dictionary files
• Youdao Dictionary: Supports detailed word definitions and example sentences

Supported Translation Services

Easydict integrates numerous mainstream translation services to meet diverse use cases:

Service Type	Supported Services
AI Translation	OpenAI, Gemini, DeepSeek, Doubao Translation
Professional Translation	DeepL, 🍎 Apple System Translation
Online Translation	Google, Bing, Tencent, Baidu
Domestic Services	Youdao, Xiaoniu Translation, Caiyun Xiaoyi, Alibaba Translation, Volcano Translation

🌐 Language Support

• 48 Languages Supported: Covers major global languages and dialects
• Auto Target Language: Automatically selects the best target language based on input

Key Advantages

⚡️ Efficient and Convenient

• Low Resource Usage: Lightweight and highly efficient design
• Fast Response: Translation results displayed in seconds
• Shortcut Support: Customizable in-app keyboard shortcuts

🔧 Highly Customizable

• Service Configuration: Different translation services can be assigned to different windows
• Custom API Endpoints: Supports custom endpoint configuration for services like DeepL
• Flexible API Setup: Configurable API call methods for various translation services

🔗 Powerful Integration

• URL Scheme Support: Deep integration with other applications
• PopClip Compatibility: Works seamlessly with productivity tools like PopClip
• System-Level Integration: Deeply integrated with macOS system features

Installation Methods

1. Manual Download and Install

• Supports macOS 13.0+; use version 2.7.2 for older systems

2. Homebrew Installation

brew install --cask easydict

3. Developer Build

• Open-source project; developers can build from source
• Supports Swift refactoring plan; contributions welcome

System Requirements

• Minimum OS: macOS 11.0+ (recommended to use latest version)
• Memory Usage: Lightweight design, minimal disk space required
• Permissions: Accessibility permissions required for word selection translation and OCR features

Use Cases

Learning & Work

• Language Learning: Quickly look up word definitions and example sentences
• Document Reading: Real-time translation while reading foreign-language papers
• Writing Assistance: Vocabulary lookup during Chinese-English writing

Daily Use

• Web Browsing: Translate selected text on foreign websites
• Image Translation: Recognize and translate text from screenshots
• Cross-Language Communication: Rapid translation of conversation content

Settings & Configuration

General Settings

• Customize query keyboard shortcuts
• Adjust word selection translation sensitivity
• Set interface theme and appearance

Service Settings

• Enable/disable specific translation services
• Configure API keys and access permissions
• Set default translation engine

Open Source & Community

• License: GPL-3.0
• Active Community: Over 11.3k Stars, 561+ Forks
• Regular Updates: Actively developed and maintained

Special Features

OCR Recognition

• Offline OCR for privacy protection
• High-precision text recognition
• Supports multilingual recognition

Dictionary Management

• Direct access to system dictionaries
• Supports importing third-party dictionaries
• Optimized dictionary result display

Conclusion

Easydict is a comprehensive and elegantly designed translation solution for macOS, integrating multiple translation services into a clean and intuitive interface. Whether you're a student, researcher, developer, or general user, you'll enjoy a smooth and efficient translation experience. Its open-source nature and active community ensure continuous improvement and optimization.