How to translate Discord messages privately and write replies

TextLantern lets you read a Discord message in your language, then prepare a reply you can review and send. Personal translation is added to your own Discord account and does not require Manage Server permission.

Sign in to TextLantern with Discord, then follow the installation steps to add it to your account. Adding the server bot does not install these personal commands. Discord’s guide to using apps explains the two installation options.

• To read a message, start below.
• To prepare your own reply, use /t.
• To translate a channel for its members, follow server setup. That setup requires Manage Server.

The personal steps below describe Discord desktop. If you are reading your server’s translations on a phone, skip to the mobile steps. The illustrations use sample messages, not recorded translations.

Read a message in your language

1. On Discord desktop, right-click the text message you want to read.
2. Open Apps and choose Translate privately from TextLantern.
3. Read the translation. To change its language, choose another in the translation controls.

M

Mina

今夜8時に集合できますか？

ReplyApps ›Translate privately

›

Private translation

Can we meet at 8 tonight?

◉ Only you can see this

Use /language if you want to change the default language for future personal translations.

Only you see the translation and its controls. The original message stays where it was, with the same visibility; TextLantern adds no shared reply to the channel.

Write a reply in another language

Once you know what the message says, write your answer in your own language:

1. Type /t in Discord and enter your reply.
2. Choose the language for your reply. Edit your original wording if needed.
3. Translate, then read the result. Pay particular attention to names, dates, and jokes.
4. Copy the translation, paste it into the conversation, and send it yourself.

TextLantern does not send the reply for you. If the wording needs work, edit your original and translate again before copying it. Once you send the text, people who can access that conversation can read it.

Read automatic Discord translations on your phone

If your server administrator has enabled automatic translation for the channel, read it in the Discord mobile app without any separate mobile setup:

1. Open the server and the channel where translation is enabled.
2. Find TextLantern’s reply to the message you want to read. If the channel uses translation threads, open the thread attached to that message.
3. If the language you want is offered as an additional language, tap its button to request a translation.

The administrator chooses the languages and reply location. A channel reply or thread is shared with people who can access it; a private translation is shown only to the reader who requests it.

What does “private” mean here?

“Private” describes who sees the translation in Discord. A third-party translation service still receives the source text and target language to translate it. TextLantern keeps no permanent message or translation archive, but retains account, settings, and usage records needed to run the service. Providers may retain records under their own policies. The Privacy Policy explains how your text is handled.

If TextLantern is missing or won’t translate

• No Translate privately action or /t: look for TextLantern in User Settings → Authorized Apps. If it is missing, complete the personal installation.
• A balance or limit message: check your remaining characters and account limits. A low balance can stop translation; personal and linked server translations share it. See how characters are counted.
• No automatic server reply: use the channel, permissions, and balance checks. Installing personal commands does not enable a server channel.