• CCA Student Sign In

Filthy Rich Writer

The #1 All-in-One Online Copywriting Program

The #1 All-in-One Online Copywriting Training Program

  • What Is Copywriting?
    • What Is Copywriting?
    • Why Copywriting is the BEST Career for Writers
  • Blog
    • Most Popular
    • Mindset & Professional Development
    • Portfolio
    • Business Development
    • Book Recommendations
    • Pitching
    • Copywriting Tips
    • Terms to Know
  • Podcast
    • Build Your Copywriting Business Podcast
    • Latest Episodes
    • Student Stories
  • Copywriting Training
    • Learn About the Comprehensive Copywriting Academy
    • CCA Next Level
  • CCA Reviews
    • CCA Reviews
    • Videos: CCA Student Stories
    • Videos: CCA Student Reviews
    • CCA Student Wins
  • About Us
    • About Us
    • About Nicki Krawczyk
    • Press
  • Copywriting Tools

How Do You Write for Translations?

By Nicki Krawczyk Leave a Comment

Set of dictionaries in different languages with headphones surrounding them sitting on a map of the world next to a notebook of words

In today’s global economy, there’s a good chance that your copy may not just remain in its language of origin. You won’t be the translator (thankfully), but you will need to write your copy so it can be translated. How?

Here’s what you should know about writing copy that will be translated.

First, one caveat: I’m talking mostly in the “translating English to another language” realm since this is what I’m most familiar with. This will matter for some points, but it won’t matter for many of them. I just want you to be aware, lest you think I’ve forgotten that other languages get translated into English, as well.

Best Practices

The first thing you need to consider is that translating English to another language adds an average of about 30% to a line of copy. That means the translation of your copy may literally not even fit in the current design!

Be Succinct

When writing for a project that you know will be translated, be as concise as possible. I know: You’re always working to be concise. But in this scenario, you have to work even harder. Make sure the piece can accommodate 30% more words after translation.

Be Aware of Colloquialisms

You also need to be aware that some words, sayings, or just general colloquialisms may not translate into other languages. For example, if you have a line that says, “And savings? Don’t worry about it! It’s in the bag!” it’s very likely that the literal translation of “it’s in the bag” won’t make sense in other languages.

Avoid Slang

As much as possible, you should try to avoid slang or terms that may not carry over into other languages. However, if your company is working with a translation company that is open to receiving additional information, you may make these work by providing context.

For example, you might make a note to the translator that says, “On the line ‘Don’t worry about it—it’s in the bag’ please do not translate ‘it’s in the bag’ literally. Instead, use a phrase that means “it’s easy,” or “it’s already taken care of,” or “it’s already as good as done.”

Now, the only problem with this is that you can’t verify that your translation company has made a good choice of wording since you won’t know what their translation means. You should really only opt to allow them to substitute copy if you have worked successfully with them before and you are very confident in their abilities. You don’t want to end up okaying translated copy that doesn’t have the right message in another language.

Provide Context

That said, though, even if you’re not asking your translation company to replace colloquial phrases with other ones, it’s still a good idea to provide context. If you have the opportunity to explain who the target audience is, what the premise of the piece is, and what you want the target audience to do, you should absolutely do so.

In many languages (including English) there is more than one word for a concept. Providing this information may help the translation company to use the most appropriate word.

Writing copy for translation can add an extra challenge to your writing. But once you’ve got the rules down, you’ll create work that people will love around the globe.

Watch More: Copywriting & Design Insights From a Global Design Leader

In this bonus episode of the Build Your Copywriting Business podcast, global design leader Ch’ien Chan gives insight into the career choices he’s made, how it’s brought him around the world, and the importance of knowing your worth. You don’t want to miss this!

Your Turn

Have you ever seen any badly translated ads? (One of my favorite subjects on Buzzfeed!) Let us know in the comments below!

Last Updated on October 30, 2024

Filed Under: Copywriting Tips Tagged With: Productivity

Interested in Copywriting? Get our Free Video Training!

Plus, get on the list for updates, freebies, and more :) 



About Nicki Krawczyk

Nicki is a copywriter, copy coach and the founder of Filthy Rich Writer. She's been writing copy for more than 20 years.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Click here to subscribe

Break Into Copywriting

Sign up to get our FREE video training, special resources, and more!



Click here to subscribe

Comprehensive Copywriting Academy

Join the copywriting training program that's helping people just like you build successful copywriting careers!

Learn more
Comprehensive Copywriting Academy from Filthy Rich Writer

Portfolio Tips

  • Nicki Krawczyk, founder of Filthy Rich Writer and the Build Your Copywriting Business podcast
    Ep. 43: 4 Biggest Copywriter Portfolio Mistakes
  • Home office with desktop computer, tablet, and a mobile
    3 Copywriter Portfolio Examples That Wow Clients
  • Nicki Krawczyk, founder of Filthy Rich Writer and the Build Your Copywriting Business podcast
    Ep. 22: Why Every Copywriter MUST Have an Online Portfolio

Top Resources

  • What is Copywriting?
  • How Much Do Copywriters Actually Make?
  • Is Copywriting Hard to Get Into?
  • Why Copywriting Certificates Are B-S
  • How Soon Can You Make Money as a Copywriter?
  • What Does a Copywriter Actually Do?
  • Copywriting vs. Copyediting: What's the Difference?
  • Avoid the Copywriting Niche Trap
  • Upwork is NOT the Path to Copywriting Success
  • Getting Started in the Comprehensive Copywriting Academy

Recent Articles

  • Nicki and Kate sit at a table with podcast recording microphones, notebooks, and Filthy Rich Writer mugs, with the words "Build Your Copywriting Business" above them.
    Episode 229: Changing a Habit? Here’s the Cycle You’re Going Through
  • Nicki and Kate sit at a table with podcast recording microphones, notebooks, and Filthy Rich Writer mugs, with the words "Build Your Copywriting Business" above them.
    Episode 227: How Do I Write an About Page? [Copywriting Tips]
  • Nicki and Kate sit at a table with podcast recording microphones, notebooks, and Filthy Rich Writer mugs, with the words "Build Your Copywriting Business" above them.
    Episode 225: What Jobs Can I Do As a Copywriter?
  • Nicki and Kate sit at a table with podcast recording microphones, notebooks, and Filthy Rich Writer mugs, with the words "Build Your Copywriting Business" above them.
    Episode 223: If Not Now, When? A Deep Dive Into Decision Making
  • Nicki and Kate sit at a table with podcast recording microphones, notebooks, and Filthy Rich Writer mugs, with the words "Build Your Copywriting Business" above them.
    Episode 221: “I Don’t Want To!” Tactics for Completing Un-Fun Tasks
  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • YouTube
  • LinkedIn

Copyright © 2025 Filthy Rich Writer | Contact Us | FAQs |About Us | Terms of Service | Privacy Policy| Business Affiliates

Manage Consent
To provide the best experiences, we use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behavior or unique IDs on this site. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions.
Functional Always active
The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network.
Preferences
The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.
Statistics
The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes. The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.
Marketing
The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes.
Manage options Manage services Manage {vendor_count} vendors Read more about these purposes
View preferences
{title} {title} {title}