Captured at (local ISO): 2026-05-18 05:17:42

Introduction

When reading English papers, technical docs, or foreign-language materials, constantly switching translation apps, copy-pasting to look up words, and forgetting vocabulary you just saved are common pain points in study and work. SnapTranslate 3.0, built with Python, is more than a global selection translation tool—it is a complete local English learning toolkit. From one-click translation, vocabulary capture, dual-end review, to AI example generation, the full loop runs locally with no ads and no platform lock-in, fully adapted to Windows across scenarios.

Open source: https://github.com/ChenAI-TGF/SnapTranslate

I. Overview: Four Core Features of SnapTranslate 3.0

SnapTranslate 3.0 is built around English learning scenarios, with four core modules covering translation, accumulation, review, and management end to end:

1. Global selection translation + screenshot OCR translation: Works across all desktop software; shortcuts deliver results in seconds
2. Local vocabulary notebook auto-capture: One-click save, structured storage, automatic backup
3. Desktop + Web vocabulary review: Card-style memory, proficiency scoring, multiple sort modes
4. AI batch example generation + vocabulary admin: Fill in context; manage your word bank efficiently

II. Global Translation: Seamless Look-Up Everywhere

1. Global hotkey selection translation

• Works in all Windows desktop apps: browsers, PDF, Word, code editors, etc.
• Default shortcut: Ctrl+L—select text to translate without switching windows
• Translation backends: Google / MyMemory switchable for more stability on weak networks
• Built-in cache, retry, and timeout for faster responses

2. Screenshot OCR translation

• Shortcut: Tab+Q—screenshot, OCR, and translate in one step
• Ideal for non-copyable text: images, UI, scanned documents

3. Floating window + main UI

• Mouse-hover popup: Always on top, semi-transparent, source + translation side by side without blocking reading
• Main UI translation log: History with timestamps; one-click clear
• Custom shortcuts and TTS volume; settings persist locally

4. One-click add to vocabulary

• Shortcut: Tab+E—quickly save the latest translation
• Or click save in the floating window; deduplication; writes to local vocab.json
• Full fields: word, meaning, example, proficiency, review count

III. Local Vocabulary Notebook: Your Personal Word Bank, Safe and Persistent

All words are stored in local vocab.json—you stay in control:

• Structured fields: word/meaning/example/example_zh/score/reviews
• Auto backup on startup to backups/ with timestamp and entry count
• Backup, sync, and extend as you like—no cloud dependency, no privacy risk

IV. Dual-End Review: Desktop + Web

1. Desktop review (vocab_review.py)

• Card-style review; meaning and examples hidden by default for active recall
• Three orders: random / low score first / high score first
• Three self-ratings: know / fuzzy / don’t know—updates 0–100 proficiency automatically
• System TTS: word/example with independent volume
• Clear history, manual re-read—smoother review flow

2. Web review (vocab_review_web.py)

• Start: streamlit run vocab_review_web.py
• Same word bank and scoring as desktop
• Review in the browser; phone/tablet friendly
• Browser TTS; manual read word/example
• Switch word list path; live refresh

V. AI Examples + Admin: Words You Can Actually Use

1. DeepSeek AI batch example fill

• One-click English example + Chinese translation for entries missing examples
• API key via local api_key.txt or UI input; auto-saved
• Stops with a clear message on quota limits; examples saved permanently

2. Vocabulary admin (set.py)

• Live stats: total entries, complete examples, pending fill, backup info
• Reset all scores: every word back to 50, 0 reviews
• Backup cleanup: keep only the latest backup to free space
• Confirm dialogs on destructive actions

VI. Quick Start: 3 Steps to All Features

1. Install dependencies

cd path\to\SnapTranslate
pip install -r requirements.txt

2. Launch core programs

• Selection translation: python main.py
• Desktop review: python vocab_review.py
• Web review: streamlit run vocab_review_web.py
• Admin: python set.py

3. Basic workflow

• Select text → Ctrl+L translate → Tab+E save to vocabulary
• Rate yourself in review; one-click AI examples
• Back up your word bank regularly

VII. Use Cases

• Students: CET-4/6, postgraduate exams, IELTS/TOEFL vocabulary
• Professionals: English docs, overseas software, business materials
• Researchers: foreign papers; one-click vocabulary with context
• Developers: technical docs and code comments in English

VIII. Highlights

1. Global translation everywhere: selection + screenshot OCR for all desktop scenarios
2. Local vocabulary loop: capture → store → review → AI fill in one flow
3. Flexible dual-end review: focused desktop, anytime Web
4. You own your data: local storage + auto backup; no ads, no privacy risk
5. Lightweight open source: Python, simple setup, ongoing improvements

SnapTranslate 3.0 turns a translation tool into an English learning tool—look up without breaking flow, remember words and use them in context, and make English reading and study more efficient.