How to Read Non-Latin Scripts on Signs and Menus

The World's Major Script Families

Traveling where the alphabet is unfamiliar — Japan, China, Korea, Greece, Russia, the Middle East, Thailand, India — can feel overwhelming. You cannot even sound out words, let alone understand them. But there are practical strategies that work.

Strategies for Non-Latin Script Countries

• Learn numbers first. Numbers are often in familiar Arabic numerals even in non-Latin countries. If you can read prices, you can navigate markets and transport.

• Learn the word for your destination. Save the name of your hotel, cruise terminal, and key destinations in the local script on your phone. Show it to taxi drivers and transit staff.

• Use photo translation. Lucy reads every major script in the world — Japanese, Chinese, Korean, Thai, Arabic, Greek, Cyrillic, Hindi, and more. Photograph any sign or menu and get an instant translation.

• Use color and shape cues. Metro systems use color-coded lines and numbered stations. Follow the colors even if you cannot read the station names.

• Download offline maps. Google Maps shows transliterated names alongside local script, helping you match what you see to where you want to go.

Lucy Is Built for This

Lucy was designed specifically for the moment when you cannot read a word. She reads every major writing system, translates instantly, and adds context so you understand not just the words but the meaning. Non-Latin scripts become fully accessible with a single photograph.