> For clean Markdown of any page, append `.md` to the page URL.
> For a complete documentation index, see https://docs.sarvam.ai/llms.txt.
> For full documentation content in one file, see https://docs.sarvam.ai/llms-full.txt.
> For AI client integration (Claude Code, Cursor, etc.), connect to the MCP server at https://docs.sarvam.ai/_mcp/server.

# Text Translation API

> Complete overview of Sarvam AI Text Translation API supporting English to Indian languages and vice versa with multiple translation modes and high accuracy.

> **Note**
>
> Translating a file (PDF, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, or HTML) with layout preserved? Use the [Document Translation API](/api/api-guides-tutorials/doc-translation/overview) instead of sending file text through this endpoint.

#### [Document Translation](/api/api-guides-tutorials/doc-translation/overview)

Upload once, translate into up to 12 languages per job, and export in the same format as the
source (PDF→PDF, DOCX→DOCX).

#### [Translate a PDF](/api/api-guides-tutorials/doc-translation/guides/translate-a-pdf)

End-to-end walkthrough: create a job, upload your file, poll progress, and download the
translated document.

## Translation Types

#### English to Indic

Translate from English to various Indian languages with support for
different translation modes.

#### Indic to English

Convert Indian languages to English with high accuracy and natural output.

#### Indic to Indic

Translate between different Indian languages while preserving context and
meaning.

## Translation Modes

#### Formal

Highly professional, uses pure language forms. Ideal for official documents
and legal papers.

#### Classic-Colloquial

Balanced mix of languages, slightly informal. Perfect for business emails and
general communication.

#### Modern-Colloquial

Casual and direct style with mixed language. Best for chatbots and social
media content.

#### Code-Mixed

Mixes English and the target language within the same sentence, mirroring how people actually speak. Available with `mayura:v1` via `mode="code-mixed"`.

## Code Examples

#### Basic Translation

#### Python

```python
from sarvamai import SarvamAI

client = SarvamAI(
    api_subscription_key="YOUR_SARVAM_API_KEY"
)

response = client.text.translate(
    input="Hello, how are you?",
    source_language_code="en-IN",
    target_language_code="hi-IN",
    speaker_gender="Male"
)

print(response)
```

#### JavaScript

```javascript
import { SarvamAIClient } from "sarvamai";

const client = new SarvamAIClient({
    apiSubscriptionKey: "YOUR_SARVAM_API_KEY"
});

const response = await client.text.translate({
    input: "Hello, how are you?",
    source_language_code: "en-IN",
    target_language_code: "hi-IN",
    speaker_gender: "Male"
});

console.log(response);
```

#### cURL

```bash
curl -X POST https://api.sarvam.ai/translate \
  -H "api-subscription-key: <YOUR_SARVAM_API_KEY>" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "input": "Hello, how are you?",
    "source_language_code": "en-IN",
    "target_language_code": "hi-IN",
    "speaker_gender": "Male"
  }'
```

#### Advanced Options

### Advanced Translation Features

Explore different parameters to customize your translation output:

#### Speaker Gender

Choose between Male and Female voice characteristics for gender-specific translations.

#### Python

```python
response = client.text.translate(
    input="Welcome to our service!",
    source_language_code="en-IN",
    target_language_code="hi-IN",
    model="mayura:v1",
    speaker_gender="Female"
)
```

#### JavaScript

```javascript
const response = await client.text.translate({
    input: "Welcome to our service!",
    source_language_code: "en-IN",
    target_language_code: "hi-IN",
    model: "mayura:v1",
    speaker_gender: "Female"
});
```

#### cURL

```bash
curl -X POST https://api.sarvam.ai/translate \
  -H "api-subscription-key: <YOUR_SARVAM_API_KEY>" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "input": "Hello, how are you?",
    "source_language_code": "en-IN",
    "target_language_code": "hi-IN",
    "speaker_gender": "Female"
  }'
```

#### Translation Mode

Select the tone and style of translation - formal, modern-colloquial, classic-colloquial, or code-mixed for different use cases (`mayura:v1` only; `sarvam-translate:v1` supports formal mode only).

#### Python

```python
response = client.text.translate(
    input="Welcome to our service!",
    source_language_code="en-IN",
    target_language_code="hi-IN",
    model="mayura:v1",
    mode="modern-colloquial"
)
```

#### JavaScript

```javascript
const response = await client.text.translate({
    input: "Welcome to our service!",
    source_language_code: "en-IN",
    target_language_code: "hi-IN",
    model: "mayura:v1",
    mode: "modern-colloquial"
});
```

#### cURL

```bash
curl -X POST https://api.sarvam.ai/translate \
  -H "api-subscription-key: <YOUR_SARVAM_API_KEY>" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "input": "Welcome to our service!",
    "source_language_code": "en-IN",
    "target_language_code": "hi-IN",
    "model": "mayura:v1",
    "mode": "modern-colloquial"
  }'
```

#### Output Script

Choose between different script options (roman/fully-native/spoken-form-in-native) for the translated text output.

#### Python

```python
response = client.text.translate(
    input="Welcome to our service!",
    source_language_code="en-IN",
    target_language_code="hi-IN",
    model="mayura:v1",
    output_script="fully-native"
)
```

#### JavaScript

```javascript
const response = await client.text.translate({
    input: "Welcome to our service!",
    source_language_code: "en-IN",
    target_language_code: "hi-IN",
    model: "mayura:v1",
    output_script: "fully-native"
});
```

#### cURL

```bash
curl -X POST https://api.sarvam.ai/translate \
  -H "api-subscription-key: <YOUR_SARVAM_API_KEY>" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "input": "Welcome to our service!",
    "source_language_code": "en-IN",
    "target_language_code": "hi-IN",
    "model": "mayura:v1",
    "output_script": "fully-native"
  }'
```

#### Numerals Format

Specify the format for numbers in the output - choose between international (1,2,3) or native numerals (१,२,३).

#### Python

```python
response = client.text.translate(
    input="Welcome to our service!",
    source_language_code="en-IN",
    target_language_code="hi-IN",
    model="mayura:v1",
    numerals_format="native"
)
```

#### JavaScript

```javascript
const response = await client.text.translate({
    input: "Welcome to our service!",
    source_language_code: "en-IN",
    target_language_code: "hi-IN",
    model: "mayura:v1",
    numerals_format: "native"
});
```

#### cURL

```bash
curl -X POST https://api.sarvam.ai/translate \
  -H "api-subscription-key: <YOUR_SARVAM_API_KEY>" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "input": "Welcome to our service!",
    "source_language_code": "en-IN",
    "target_language_code": "hi-IN",
    "model": "mayura:v1",
    "numerals_format": "native"
  }'
```

#### All Parameters

Example using all available parameters together for maximum customization.

#### Python

```python
response = client.text.translate(
    input="Welcome to our service!",
    source_language_code="en-IN",
    target_language_code="hi-IN",
    model="mayura:v1",
    speaker_gender="Female",
    mode="modern-colloquial",
    output_script="fully-native",
    numerals_format="native"
)
```

#### JavaScript

```javascript
const response = await client.text.translate({
    input: "Welcome to our service!",
    source_language_code: "en-IN",
    target_language_code: "hi-IN",
    model: "mayura:v1",
    speaker_gender: "Female",
    mode: "modern-colloquial",
    output_script: "fully-native",
    numerals_format: "native"
});
```

#### cURL

```bash
curl -X POST https://api.sarvam.ai/translate \
  -H "api-subscription-key: <YOUR_SARVAM_API_KEY>" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "input": "Welcome to Sarvam AI!",
    "source_language_code": "en-IN",
    "target_language_code": "hi-IN",
    "model": "mayura:v1",
    "speaker_gender": "Female",
    "mode": "modern-colloquial",
    "output_script": "fully-native",
    "numerals_format": "native"
  }'
```

## API Features

#### Translation Options

* Multiple Indian languages support
* Four translation modes
* Gender-specific translations
* Code-mixed text support

#### Output Formats

* Multiple script options
* Native/International numerals
* Customizable formatting
* Transliteration support

#### Advanced Features

* Automatic language detection
* Context preservation
* Entity handling

## API Response Format

| Field                  | Type   | Description                                          |
| ---------------------- | ------ | ---------------------------------------------------- |
| `request_id`           | string | Unique identifier for the request                    |
| `translated_text`      | string | Translated text in the target language               |
| `source_language_code` | string | Detected or provided source language (BCP-47 format) |

**Supported languages:**

* **mayura:v1:** `bn-IN`, `en-IN`, `gu-IN`, `hi-IN`, `kn-IN`, `ml-IN`, `mr-IN`, `od-IN`, `pa-IN`, `ta-IN`, `te-IN`
* **sarvam-translate:v1:** All mayura languages + `as-IN`, `brx-IN`, `doi-IN`, `kok-IN`, `ks-IN`, `mai-IN`, `mni-IN`, `ne-IN`, `sa-IN`, `sat-IN`, `sd-IN`, `ur-IN`

```json
{
  "request_id": "20241115_12345678-1234-5678-1234-567812345678",
  "translated_text": "नमस्ते, आप कैसे हैं?",
  "source_language_code": "en-IN"
}
```

#### More Response Examples

**With Roman Script Output:**

```json
{
  "request_id": "20241115_12345678-1234-5678-1234-567812345678",
  "translated_text": "namaste, aap kaise hain?",
  "source_language_code": "en-IN"
}
```

**With Native Numerals:**

```json
{
  "request_id": "20241115_12345678-1234-5678-1234-567812345678",
  "translated_text": "मेरा फोन नंबर है ९८४०९५०९५०",
  "source_language_code": "en-IN"
}
```

**Auto-Detected Source Language:**

```json
{
  "request_id": "20241115_12345678-1234-5678-1234-567812345678",
  "translated_text": "Hello, how are you?",
  "source_language_code": "hi-IN"
}
```

## Error Responses

All errors return a JSON object with an `error` field (`message`, `code`, `request_id`). The full error-code table, retry guidance, and SDK exception reference live on the central [Errors & Troubleshooting](/api/getting-started/errors-troubleshooting) page.

Errors specific to this endpoint:

| HTTP Status | Error Code                   | When This Happens                                | What To Do                                                                 |
| ----------- | ---------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------ | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| `400`       | `invalid_request_error`      | Missing required parameters or malformed request | Check `input`, `source_language_code`, `target_language_code`              |
| `422`       | `unprocessable_entity_error` | Text too long or unsupported language pair       | Keep text under 1000 chars (mayura:v1) or 2000 chars (sarvam-translate:v1) |

#### Error Handling Code Example

```python
from sarvamai import SarvamAI
from sarvamai.core.api_error import ApiError

client = SarvamAI(api_subscription_key="YOUR_SARVAM_API_KEY")

try:
    response = client.text.translate(
        input="Hello, how are you?",
        source_language_code="en-IN",
        target_language_code="hi-IN"
    )
    print(response.translated_text)
except ApiError as e:
    if e.status_code == 400:
        print(f"Bad request: {e.body}")
    elif e.status_code == 403:
        print("Invalid API key. Check your credentials.")
    elif e.status_code == 422:
        print(f"Invalid parameters: {e.body}")
    elif e.status_code == 429:
        print("Rate limit exceeded. Wait and retry.")
    else:
        print(f"Error {e.status_code}: {e.body}")
```

> **Note**
>
> Check out our detailed [API Reference](/api-reference/text/translate-text)
> to explore Translation and all available options.

> **Note**
>
> Need help with translation? Contact us on
> [discord](https://discord.com/invite/5rAsykttcs) for guidance.

> Complete overview of Sarvam AI Text Translation API supporting English to Indian languages and vice versa with multiple translation modes and high accuracy.