RenPy Games

Complete tool for translating RenPy visual novels.

How to Translate Ren'Py Games

VNTranslator lets you translate Ren'Py visual novels in real time - no manual editing, no waiting for an official language patch. This guide covers all 3 translation methods, when to use each one, and how to fix the most common problems. Some methods may not work in every game.

Translation Methods Overview

VNTranslator provides three methods for translating Ren'Py games:

Method	Description	Requirements
AutoTrans	Applies translation directly inside the game in real time	VNTranslator Pro
RenPy Clipboard Plugin	Translates text copied from the game's clipboard output, using an installed plugin file	One-time .rpy file copy
RenPy Clipboard Voicing	Translates text copied from the game's clipboard output, using the game's built-in Clipboard Voicing feature	None - enabled from within the game

Each method is described in detail in its own section below, including setup steps and requirements.

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Method 1: AutoTrans (Real-time In-game Translation)

AutoTrans is an exclusive feature of the Pro Version.

AutoTrans translates Ren'Py dialogue directly inside the game window while you play, with no text floating outside the game and nothing to copy into the game folder.

Step 1: In the VNTranslator Launcher

• Select AutoTrans from the module list

• Click Browse and select the game

• Click the Start button

The game launches with live translation applied automatically.

Because AutoTrans translates text in real time, some games may show brief lag or lower frame rates while waiting for a translation response. AutoTrans also doesn't create a permanent translation patch - you'll need to run the game through AutoTrans each time you want the translation active.

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Method 2: RenPy Clipboard Plugin

The RenPy Clipboard Plugin reads game text as it's copied to your clipboard and translates it in real time.

Step 1: Download and copy VNT-RenPy-Clipboard.rpy

• Download the VNT-RenPy-Clipboard.rpy file

• Copy the file into the game directory: GAME_DIR\game\[here]

• Start a new game or continue your save (make sure in-game Clipboard Voicing is not enabled)

Download the latest version of VNT-RenPy-Clipboard from https://fazx.itch.io/vntranslator-plugins

Step 2: In the VNTranslator Launcher

• Select Clipboard from the module list

• Click the Start button

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Method 3: RenPy Clipboard Voicing

Clipboard Voicing is a native feature of the Ren'Py engine itself. In some games, however, the developer may have this feature disabled. When available, it can be paired directly with VNTranslator's Clipboard option, without installing the plugin file used in Method 2.

Step 1: Enable Clipboard Voicing in the game

• In the game, press Shift + C to enable clipboard voicing

Step 2: In the VNTranslator Launcher

• Select Clipboard from the module list

• Click the Start button

Troubleshooting Tip:

Because Clipboard Voicing is part of the Ren'Py engine itself, it can capture more than just dialogue - including menu screens, time-related functions, and item menus - which may appear as junk text in the clipboard output. If this happens, use RegExp Replacement in Pre-translation to clean it up before it reaches the translator.

For example, raw clipboard output might look like this:

Hello World.: +10!: -0!: -0!: --date-1: --date-2: bla.. bla.. bla..

RegExp Replacement lets you strip the +10!, -0!, and --date fragments so only "Hello World." gets sent for translation.

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FAQ: Translating Ren'Py Games with VNTranslator

What methods does VNTranslator offer for translating a Ren'Py game?

VNTranslator provides three methods: AutoTrans, which applies translation directly inside the game in real time; the RenPy Clipboard Plugin, which translates text copied from the game's clipboard output using an installed plugin file; and RenPy Clipboard Voicing, which uses the game's built-in Clipboard Voicing feature instead of the plugin. Each method has its own setup steps, described earlier in this guide.

Can I translate a Ren'Py game without editing its script or files?

Yes. AutoTrans, the RenPy Clipboard Plugin, and Clipboard Voicing all translate text without modifying the game's original .rpy scripts. AutoTrans needs no files added to the game at all; the RenPy Clipboard Plugin only requires copying one small .rpy file into the game folder; Clipboard Voicing needs no files at all, since it's already built into the game.

Why does my Ren'Py translation show junk or garbled text?

This usually happens with the Clipboard Voicing method, since it's part of the Ren'Py engine itself and can capture more than just dialogue - including menu screens, time-related functions, and item menus. Use RegExp Replacement in Pre-translation to filter that junk text out before translation.

Does AutoTrans work with every Ren'Py game?

AutoTrans supports Ren'Py 8.x, 7.x, and 6.99.x. As with any real-time translation method, results can vary depending on how a specific game renders its text.

How does VNTranslator apply translations to a Ren'Py game?

VNTranslator translates Ren'Py dialogue in real time as you play. Depending on the method used, text is read either directly from the game (AutoTrans) or from the game's clipboard output (RenPy Clipboard Plugin and Clipboard Voicing), then translated and applied without permanently modifying the game's original script files.

Do I need to know Python or coding to translate a Ren'Py game?

No. All three VNTranslator methods are designed for non-technical users - you select an option in the Launcher and press Start. Coding knowledge is only useful if you want to go further with tools like RegExp Replacement.

Is it legal to translate someone else's Ren'Py game?

Playing a game with real-time translation for personal use is different from distributing a translated copy of someone else's game. If you plan to share your translation with others, it's best practice to ask the original developer for permission first, since the game's script and assets remain their intellectual property.

Can I make a permanent translation patch instead of real-time translation?

Yes. While AutoTrans, RenPy Clipboard Plugin, and Clipboard Voicing all translate live each time you play, you can still create a permanent patch. Start with Ren'Py's built-in translation-file feature (Generate Translations in the Ren'Py Launcher, or via RENPY_LANGUAGE and RENPY_UPDATE_STRINGS), which creates a game/tl/<language> folder with empty translation slots for every line in the game.

Normally, filling in that folder means translating each line by hand. To skip that step, VNTranslator also stores every translation you've made in a Translation Memory (.db) file. RenPy TM Replacer is a Python script that reads this file and automatically fills in the matching lines inside your game/tl/<language> folder, so your translation memory becomes a permanent patch instead of a real-time translation.

Why is my game lagging after I enable AutoTrans?

Real-time translation needs a moment to send text, get a translation response, and display it - so brief lag or a lower frame rate is expected on some games, especially the first time a line of dialogue appears. Repeated lines are cached and won't cause lag on future playthroughs.