Write the facts, talk through the rest
Use messages for anything that must be exact: prices, quantities, dates, addresses, names. They stay in the chat and both sides can reread them. Use calls to explain, discuss and agree, then confirm the outcome in a message.
Write so that translation can follow
- One idea per sentence, with the subject named rather than implied.
- Numbers in digits, dates with the month written out: “3 October”, not “3/10”.
- No abbreviations or internal jargon the other side may not share.
- Confirm negatives explicitly: “we will not ship before Friday” deserves a second line.
On a call
Tell the other person you are using translation and agree to take turns. Pause after each sentence. If you are unsure you were understood, ask them to repeat the key point back to you in their own words.
Where translation is not enough
Contracts, legal terms and anything with serious consequences need a professional translator. Automatic translation helps you prepare and follow the conversation, but it should not be the only basis for a signature.
Questions
Can I search old messages for a number or date?
Yes. Search works across your messages.
Is a work chat private?
Chats are end-to-end encrypted. A message you translate is sent to a cloud translation service as text; the Security Center explains the details.