Translate Text in Java - Complete Guide

Automate translations using the WhatsMate Translation REST API

Posted on August 18, 2016   Share on Facebook Share on LinkedIn Share on Twitter Share on Google+

Last reviewed: March 4, 2026  

Automate Text Translation with Java

Need to translate text programmatically in your Java applications? This guide walks you through translating text using Java and the WhatsMate Translation REST API. Perfect for Java developers, enterprise engineers, and anyone who wants to integrate automatic translations into their Java projects.

📋 Prerequisites

Before you begin, ensure you have:

  1. Java Development Kit (JDK) - Java 8 or higher recommended
  2. Language codes - Know the ISO language codes for source and target languages

ℹ️ Note: The trial account allows up to 10 translation API calls for learning purposes. Subscribe to a Premium plan for production use.

🎥 Video Walkthrough

📝 Step-by-Step Implementation

Follow these steps to perform your first text translation in Java:

1. Copy the Script Template

Start by copying the following source code into a file named Translator.java:

2. Configure the Parameters

Customize these key parameters in the script:

  • Line 18: Replace with the source language code (e.g., en for English)
  • Line 19: Replace with the target language code (e.g., es for Spanish)
  • Line 20: Provide the text you want to translate

🔍 Looking for language codes? See the complete listing of supported language codes.

3. Compile the Java File

Compile your Java source file:

javac Translator.java

4. Run the Translation

Execute the compiled class to see the translated result:

java Translator

🔧 Common Use Cases

This automation approach is ideal for:

  • Enterprise applications - Translate content for global business users
  • Android apps - Add translation features to mobile applications
  • Backend services - Translate data in server-side Java applications
  • Desktop applications - Build translation tools for Windows, Mac, or Linux
  • Data processing pipelines - Translate text data in batch operations

🚀 Get Started Today

Ready to automate your text translations? You’ll need an account to access the API. Sign up for a Premium plan and start translating within minutes!

Next Steps: Once you’ve mastered basic text translation, explore translating text in other programming languages through the Translation API Getting Started Guide.