3 Smart Ways to Cut Chinese Translation Costs (Without Sacrificing Quality)

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READ MORE >>How Our Client Saved Thousands of Dollars from Chinese Mechanical Engineering Translation Work


1 For technical documents, ask for for the CAT Tool assessment

Futuristic digital illustration of a CAT tool interface, featuring glowing circuit-like elements and bilingual terminology on a high-tech screen, symbolizing efficiency in technical translation.

The Importance of Transparency in Business Relationships

Building long-term business relationships requires transparency. If you’re working with a team of Chinese translators, understanding the role of CAT (Computer-Assisted Translation) tools is essential—especially for projects with hundreds or thousands of words. These tools play a crucial role in reducing Chinese translation costs for complex projects.


How CAT Tools Help You Save

CAT tools are highly effective for technical documents. They analyze repetitive phrases, which can significantly reduce the payable word count—and therefore the overall Chinese translation costs.


Examples of Cost Savings with CAT Tools:

  • Mechanical Engineering Translation
    A client saved $1,419 USD. The original quote was $3,831 USD, but the CAT tool analysis trimmed the cost dramatically.
  • Rush Legal Translation Project
    Only 10% of the standard rate was charged for repeated segments, compared to 30–100% at many agencies.
  • Property Management Sector
    A 29-page document with 20,000 source words was reduced to 17,703—resulting in a 12% cost savings.

Why Request CAT Tool Analysis?

For large-scale jobs, asking for CAT analysis helps you:

  • Cut word count through repetition matching
  • Control Chinese translation costs effectively
  • Ensure consistency across your documents

Working with a transparent agency that offers this upfront will keep your budget in check and your project running smoothly.

2 Watch Out for Rush Fees and Hidden Charges

Now that you know the value of CAT tools, here’s another tip: be wary of rush fees and hidden charges. Some agencies won’t disclose these until midway through the project—or even after it starts.

Planning ahead is key. If possible, submit your documents in advance to avoid being penalized with high rush fees that can inflate your Chinese translation costs unexpectedly.

Of course, some situations are urgent—like legal documents, user manuals, or product launch materials. Even then, clear communication and negotiating fair terms is essential.

At AZ-Loc, for example:

  • No rush fee was charged for a real estate project
  • The documents were delivered on time
  • A 10% late penalty clause was applied—in your favor—if the team missed the deadline

That’s the kind of cost transparency you want when managing a tight translation budget.

3. Ask About Promos and Make the Most of Them

Minimalist black icon combining a percentage symbol and a price tag inside a circle, representing discounts or special offers related to Chinese translation costs.

Promotional offers aren’t just for eCommerce—they work in translation too!

First-Time Client? You Have Leverage

If you’re working with a new agency, always ask:

  • “Do you offer first-time client discounts?”
  • “Do you have long-term collaboration packages?”

At AZ-Loc, for example:

  • First-time clients enjoy 20% off
  • Ongoing clients get custom bundles based on volume and industry
  • Some seasonal offers apply to government, education, or nonprofit sectors

Bundling multiple small jobs—like product labels, help guides, or contracts—can reduce your Chinese translation costs across the board.


Cutting costs doesn’t mean cutting corners. By combining CAT tool analysis, transparent terms, and smart promo use, you can reduce Chinese translation costs without sacrificing quality or reliability.

Want to know how much you could save?
Contact AZ-Loc for a tailored quote and workflow consultation—we’ll show you real savings, not just promises!

Why Not Give Us a Try?

We save your time.

We save your money.

We make your life easier.