--- title: "Translate ViewHelper " manual: "Fluid ViewHelper Reference" version: "13.4" permalink: "https://docs.typo3.org/permalink/t3viewhelper:typo3-fluid-translate@13.4" source: "Global/Translate.rst" modified: "2026-09-17T09:07:45+00:00" --- # Translate ViewHelper `` ViewHelper to provide a translation for language keys ("locallang"/"LLL"). By default, the files are loaded from the folder `Resources/Private/Language/`. Placeholder substitution (like PHP's `sprintf()`) can be evaluated when provided as `arguments` attribute. Go to the source code of this ViewHelper: [TranslateViewHelper.php (GitHub)](https://github.com/TYPO3/typo3/blob/main/typo3/sysext/fluid/Classes/ViewHelpers/TranslateViewHelper.php). > [!NOTE] > **See also** > > - [Working with XLIFF files](https://docs.typo3.org/m/typo3/reference-coreapi/13.4/en-us/ApiOverview/Localization/XliffApi.html#xliff-api) > - [Multi-language Fluid templates](https://docs.typo3.org/m/typo3/reference-coreapi/13.4/en-us/ExtensionArchitecture/HowTo/Localization/Fluid.html#extension-localization-fluid) **Table of contents** - [Examples](https://docs.typo3.org/permalink/t3viewhelper:examples@13.4) - [Arguments of the f:translate ViewHelper](https://docs.typo3.org/permalink/t3viewhelper:arguments-of-the-f-translate-viewhelper@13.4) ## Examples ### Short key - Usage in Extbase The [key](https://docs.typo3.org/permalink/t3viewhelper:viewhelper-argument-typo3-cms-fluid-viewhelpers-translateviewhelper-key@13.4) argument alone works only within the Extbase context. **Fluid** ```html ``` **Language file example** **packages/my_extension/Resources/Private/Language/locallang.xlf** ```xml

My Model ``` Alternatively, you can use `id` instead of `key`, producing the same output. If both `id` and `key` are set, `id` takes precedence. If the translate ViewHelper is used with only the language key, the template **must** be rendered within an Extbase request, usually from an Extbase controller action. The default language file must be located in the same extension as the Extbase controller and must be saved in the file `Resources/Private/Language/locallang.xlf`. ### Short key and extension name When the ViewHelper is called from outside Extbase, it is mandatory to either pass the extension name or use the full `LLL:` reference for the key. ```html ``` The default language file must be saved in the extension specified in the argument, in the file `Resources/Private/Language/locallang.xlf`. ### Full `LLL:` reference key Using the `LLL:` language reference syntax, a language key from any `.xlf` file can be used. ```html ``` ### Keeping HTML tags within translations HTML in language labels can be used when you surround the translate ViewHelper with a ViewHelper that allows HTML output, such as the [Sanitize.html ViewHelper \](https://docs.typo3.org/permalink/t3viewhelper:typo3-fluid-sanitize-html@13.4) in the backend or the [Format.html ViewHelper \](https://docs.typo3.org/permalink/t3viewhelper:typo3-fluid-format-html@13.4) in the frontend. **Fluid** **packages/my_extension/Resources/Private/Templates/Message/Show.fluid.html** ```html ``` **Language file example** **packages/my_extension/Resources/Private/Language/locallang.xlf** ```xml

By adding class="list-unstyled" to the ol or ul tag, it is possible to structure content in list form without the typical list styling.]]> ``` The entry in the `.xlf` language file must be surrounded by ``. > [!WARNING] > When allowing HTML tags in translations, ensure all translators are > educated about [Cross-site scripting (XSS)](https://docs.typo3.org/m/typo3/reference-coreapi/13.4/en-us/Security/TypesOfThreats/Index.html#security-xss). ### Displaying translated labels with placeholders **Fluid** **packages/my_extension/Resources/Private/Templates/Message/Show.fluid.html** ```html Or with several numbered placeholders: ``` **Language file example** **packages/my_extension/Resources/Private/Language/locallang.xlf** ```xml

Title of: %s Some text about a %1$s and a %2$s. ``` The placeholder `%s` is used to insert dynamic values, passed as the parameter [arguments](https://docs.typo3.org/permalink/t3viewhelper:viewhelper-argument-typo3-cms-fluid-viewhelpers-translateviewhelper-arguments@13.4) to the translate ViewHelper. If `%s` appears multiple times, it references subsequent array entries in order. To avoid dependency on order, use indexed placeholders like `%1$s`. This explicitly refers to the first value and ensures that it is treated as a string (`$s`). This method is based on PHP’s `vsprintf function `, which allows for more flexible and readable formatting. ### Inline notation with arguments and default value Like all other ViewHelpers, the translate ViewHelper can be used with the [Inline syntax](https://docs.typo3.org/other/typo3fluid/fluid/main/en-us/Syntax/ViewHelpers.html#viewhelper-inline-notation). ```html {f:translate(key: 'someKey', arguments: {0: 'dog', 1: 'fox'}, default: 'default value')} ``` This is especially useful if you want to pass the translated label to another ViewHelper, for example, as the `alt` parameter of an image: ```html ``` ### The translation ViewHelper in console/CLI context The translation ViewHelper determines the target language based on the current frontend or backend request. If you are rendering your template from a console/CLI context, for example, when you [Send emails with FluidEmail](https://docs.typo3.org/m/typo3/reference-coreapi/13.4/en-us/ApiOverview/Mail/Index.html#mail-fluid-email), use the argument [languageKey](https://docs.typo3.org/permalink/t3viewhelper:viewhelper-argument-typo3-cms-fluid-viewhelpers-translateviewhelper-languagekey@13.4) to specify the desired language for the ViewHelper: **packages/my_extension/Resources/Private/Templates/Email/Salutation.fluid.html** ```html Salutation in Danish: Salutation in English: ``` ## Arguments of the f:translate ViewHelper - **arguments** - *Type:* array Arguments to be replaced in the resulting string - **default** - *Type:* string If the given locallang key could not be found, this value is used. If this argument is not set, child nodes will be used to render the default - **extensionName** - *Type:* string UpperCamelCased extension key (for example BlogExample) - **id** - *Type:* string Translation ID. Same as key. - **key** - *Type:* string Translation Key - **languageKey** - *Type:* string Language key ("da" for example) or "default" to use. Also a Locale object is possible. If empty, use current locale from the request.