Chinese to English Document Translation: Accurate, Fast, Confidential
With business, trade, and cultural ties between the U.S. and China booming, the need for top-notch document translation from Chinese to English (and vice-versa) is growing every day. The success of international deals, the proper functioning of equipment, understanding legal ins and outs, and even people’s health all hinge on accurate translations.
iTrex Language Services specializes in professional translation from Chinese. Our translators, editors, and project managers have deep knowledge not just of the language, but also of China’s cultural, legal, and technical specifics. We guarantee high quality, on-time delivery, and complete confidentiality for your documents.
Why iTrex is Your Go-To Partner for Chinese to English Translations
Project Spotlight
Client: ‘InfraBuild Solutions’ and ‘USA Expo Group’ (responsible for the ‘USA Pavilion’ at EXPO 2010).
Client’s Business: Organizing and constructing exhibition pavilions (participation in international expos).
Services Provided: Interpreting.
Language Pairs: Chinese – English, English – Chinese (as well as Chinese, Spanish, and other languages).
Additional Info: iTrex Language Services provided Chinese language interpreters in Shanghai for a month before the expo opened, for negotiations and equipment setup.
What Documents and Industries We Cover for Chinese to English Translation
Our specialists have experience with a wide range of documents and subjects, including:
- For Manufacturing and Engineering: translation of manuals from Chinese, equipment operation guides, blueprints, specifications, expert reports, technical standards and codes. (Essential for equipment commissioning, standards compliance, and staff training).
- For Legal Departments: translation of contracts from Chinese, articles of incorporation, powers of attorney, court and arbitration rulings, legislative acts, minutes. (Ensures legal integrity of deals and protects your interests).
- For Finance Departments: accounting statements, audit reports, business plans, feasibility studies. (Needed for investments, reporting, and assessing prospects).
- For Medicine and Pharmaceuticals: medical reports, patient records, research results, drug information leaflets, clinical trial protocols. We also handle translation of Chinese medical certificates. (Crucial for treatment, obtaining permits, and international collaboration).
- For Marketing and Sales: advertising materials, product catalogs, presentations, press releases, trade show materials. (Helps successfully promote goods and services in the American market).
- For R&D and Science: scientific articles, patents, R&D results, dissertations. (Important for knowledge sharing, patenting, and implementing innovations).
- Personal Documents: passports, diplomas, birth/marriage certificates, official records (with notarization if required).
Regardless of the document’s complexity or subject matter, you can count on high-quality, accurate translation.
How We Handle Chinese to English Translation: Our Step-by-Step Process
Our work on every project is a well-oiled machine, guaranteeing quality and timeliness:
- Step 1: Document Analysis and Quote. You send us your document any way you like. The project manager analyzes its volume, subject, complexity, and formatting requirements. You’ll get an exact quote and timeline shortly.
- Step 2: Agreement and Project Kick-off. Once you give us the green light, we get to work. We select a translator with the right industry specialization.
- Step 3: Translation. An experienced translator carries out the translation, conveying the meaning as accurately as possible while maintaining the original style. We actively use translation memories (TM) to ensure terminological consistency and speed up work on standard document sections.
- Step 4: Editing and Proofreading. The translated text goes to an editor who is a native English speaker or has many years of experience with this language pair and subject matter. The editor checks for translation accuracy, grammar, style, and glossary compliance.
- Step 5: Quality Control and Formatting. The project manager conducts a final quality check, ensures all requirements are met, and handles any necessary formatting (DTP/layout) so the translated document looks identical to the original (tables, diagrams, images).
- Step 6: Project Delivery. You receive the finished translation by the agreed deadline and in the agreed format. We’re always here to answer your questions and make any necessary adjustments.
The Ins and Outs of Chinese Translation and Our Tech
Translating from Chinese has some unique characteristics that need special attention:
- Logographic Structure: A single character or a combination can carry complex meanings. Our translators deeply understand the multifaceted nature of Chinese vocabulary and phrasing.
- Cultural Nuances: Chinese culture is rich in allusions and specific idioms. We adapt the text for an English-speaking audience, preserving the original meaning and avoiding misunderstandings.
- Differences in Language Structure: English and Chinese are dramatically different grammatically and syntactically. Our specialists know how to find equivalents and construct sentences that sound natural in English.
- Formatting and Layout: Chinese documents often have specific formatting, including the arrangement of characters, tables, and graphics. We offer professional layout (DTP) services to ensure the final translation looks neat and readable.
To ensure maximum accuracy, speed, and consistency, we actively use modern translation technologies:
- Translation Memory (TM) Systems: Accumulated translation databases allow us to reuse previously translated segments, which significantly speeds up work, ensures terminological consistency, and reduces costs for you, especially with standard documents or updates.
- Terminology Management Systems (TermBases): Creating and using glossaries and termbases guarantees consistent use of key terms throughout the entire project and across all your documents.
- Computer-Assisted Translation (CAT) Tools: Modern CAT programs (like SDL Trados Studio, Memsource) not only speed up the process but also help control quality, check text integrity, and work with various file formats.
Project Spotlight
Client: ‘SkyHigh Attractions Management Co.’, owner of ‘The NYC View’ Ferris wheel (industry: entertainment, tourism).
Task: Translation of ‘The NYC View’ website from English to Spanish and Chinese.
Services: Written translation, editing, CAT system.
Specifics: Tight deadline (3 days), limited budget, partial website translation (key sections only). We used both native-speaker translators (for marketing texts) and non-native-speaker translators (for standard information).
Result: Job done on time, client happy.
How Much Does Chinese to English Translation Cost? iTrex Rates
Translation cost is based on text volume. It’s important to consider the specifics of the Chinese language:
- When translating from Chinese to English, volume is based on the final English text.
- When translating from English to Chinese, volume is based on the source English text.
The standard unit of calculation is a translation page (1800 characters with spaces in English text, which is roughly 300 Chinese characters).
| Language | to English | to other languages | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business | Super | Business | Super | |
| from Chinese | $0.12 per word | $0.16 per word | from $0.12 per word | from $0.16 per word |
We offer several rate plans so you can pick the best one for your needs:
- ‘Business’ Plan: includes translation and editing by a specialist. Perfect for standard business documents.
- ‘VIP’ Plan: includes translation, editing, and stylistic refinement. Suited for important presentations, marketing materials, and publications.
- ‘Native Speaker’ Plan (only for English to Chinese): translation is done by a native Chinese speaker, with mandatory editing by an English-native specialist. Essential for texts aimed at a broad Chinese audience that require a deep understanding of cultural context.
Prices don’t depend on the subject matter, except for extremely rare and highly specialized cases. Using Translation Memory can lower the translation cost for repetitive text or document updates. You can find out the exact cost of technical translation from Chinese to English by sending us your document for a quote.
Comprehensive Services for Chinese to English Translation
Besides document translation, we offer a range of related services you might need when working with Chinese:
- Notarized translation from Chinese to English: For legally binding documents (passports, certificates, powers of attorney, incorporation documents).
- Certification with our agency seal: Required by many official bodies and organizations.
- Document legalization for China and apostille services for documents to be used in China: Assistance in preparing documents for official use within China.
- Layout and Formatting (DTP): Making the translated document visually identical to the original (tables, graphics, diagrams, text placement).
- Website translation into Chinese and localization for China: Full adaptation of your digital product for the Chinese market, including translation of interfaces, content, and accounting for cultural specifics.
- Audio and Video Translation: Transcription, translation, and creation of subtitles or dubbing for materials in Chinese.
- Chinese interpreting: Providing professional interpreters (consecutive, simultaneous) for negotiations, exhibitions, and meetings with Chinese partners.
Leading Companies Trust Us: Testimonials and Case Studies
Over the years, we’ve successfully completed thousands of translation projects involving Chinese for major American and international companies. Here’s what our clients say and examples of our work:
Frequently Asked Questions about Chinese to English Translation
How quickly can you translate a document from Chinese?
Our standard turnaround for Chinese to English translation is about 5-8 translation pages per day, depending on the subject’s complexity and the source text quality. For rush jobs, we can assign a team of translators and work on an expedited schedule. We always provide exact deadlines after analyzing the document.
How do I send documents for translation and receive the finished work?
You can send documents via email, our website form, messaging apps, or drop them off at our office. We’ll deliver the finished translation by email, courier, or you can pick it up at our office – whichever works best for you.
Do you offer notarized translation from Chinese?
Yes, we provide notarized translation services from Chinese to English and from English to Chinese. Translations are done by qualified translators whose work can be officially notarized.
What is a ‘translation page’ and how is it calculated for Chinese?
A translation page is a unit for measuring text volume, equal to 1800 characters with spaces. For Chinese to English translation, volume is based on the character count of the final English text. For English to Chinese translation, it’s based on the character count of the source English text.
How is the confidentiality of my documents guaranteed?
We sign non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) with clients. All our employees and freelance translators also sign confidentiality commitments. Documents are stored on secure servers.
Can I get a discount for large volumes or as a regular client?
Yes, we have a flexible discount system for large projects and our loyal clients. Using Translation Memory systems also helps save money, especially with texts containing repetitions.
What if I need to make changes to the translated document after delivery?
We aim to get it perfect the first time. However, if you have any feedback or need minor changes related to your company’s glossary or specifics, we’ll promptly review and make the adjustments.
Need a High-Quality Translation from Chinese to English?
Don’t risk your business success or the importance of your personal documents. Trust your translation to the pros at iTrex Language Services. We’ll provide the accuracy, speed, and confidentiality you need for successful engagement with China.
