Why Google Translate isn't your best friend (yet)
Relying on Google Translate as your primary tool to look up vocabulary in another language is not the best idea. This is especially true if you have just started learning a new language, as you likely haven't yet developed the skills to navigate the nuances of multiple word choices.
The main advantages of this tool are undeniably its convenience (you can access it anywhere with an internet connection) and its speed (there is no need to download a specific app). However, because it is an automated translation tool, it overlooks many critical aspects of language—most notably, context.
Let’s look at an example. If you try to translate the English word place into Italian, you will likely get the nouns posto or luogo (a location). But what if you need a verb for your sentence? In that case, the correct translation would be piazzare or mettere (to place/to put).
For beginners, this can be incredibly confusing. Not to mention how it sounds to the native speaker reading the final result: "Please, 'luogo' [location] this letter in the mailbox."
So, what are the alternatives? Fortunately, there are several.
You can opt for the "old-school" approach: a traditional paper dictionary. Alternatively, you can take a more modern route: online dictionaries. Many of the latter also offer dedicated mobile apps, so you can have an accurate reference tool readily available wherever you go.
Below, we share a list of our highly recommended dictionary websites:
https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/
https://accademiadellacrusca.it/
