What are the best translation apps for daily life in Korea?

For daily life in Korea, Papago by Naver is honestly the most accurate for Korean specifically. It handles Korean grammar and slang much better than Google Translate, and the conversation mode is great when you need to talk with someone face to face. Just tap the microphone, select languages, and it auto-detects who is speaking.

The camera translation feature is a lifesaver at restaurants and convenience stores. Open the camera, point it at a menu or label, and the translation overlays in real time. Papago tends to read Korean menus better, while Google Lens is sometimes faster for general signage.

Keep both apps installed. Papago for serious conversations, hospital visits, or banking, and Google Translate as a backup since it covers more languages if you need to communicate with non-Korean speakers too. Saving common phrases to favorites in Papago is also helpful for repeat situations like ordering coffee or asking for directions.