How to set up consistent translations?

Summary

This article explains how Translations Replacements and the Translation Glossary work together in Clonable to control translations with precision. You will learn when to use each feature, how they differ, and how combining them helps you keep brand names consistent while still fixing or replacing content where needed.

FAQ

What is the difference between a stranslation replacement and a glossary entry?

Glossary entries influence how text is translated, while translation replacements replace text after translation.

Can I use both at the same time?

Yes. They are designed to complement each other and often work best together.

Will these changes affect my original website?

No. All changes apply only to your clone.

⏱️ Reading time: 6–8 minutes

How translations work in Clonable

When Clonable translates your website, it follows a clear order:

Content is detected and translated.
The Translation Glossary is applied to guide word choices.
Translation replacements are applied to replace text.

Understanding this order helps you decide which tool to use and why.

Translation Glossary

The Translation Glossary lets you control how specific words or phrases are translated across your entire clone.

What the glossary is best for

Use the glossary when you want:

Consistent translations for brand names
Fixed translations for product names
Preferred terminology across all pages

Tip: Glossary entries are ideal for words that should always translate the same way.

How glossary entries work

Each glossary entry consists of:

A source term
A preferred translation

Whenever Clonable encounters that term, it will use your chosen translation instead of the default machine translation.

Limitations of the glossary

The glossary:

Does not replace text
Does not remove content
Is not suited for full sentences

Translations Replacements

Translation replacements allow you to replace or remove content after translation.

What translations replacements are best for

Use translations replacements when you need to:

Fix incorrect translations
Replace full sentences

Translations replacements work by matching existing content and replacing it with something else.

When to use glossary vs translation replacements

Choosing the right tool saves time and prevents frustration.

Use the Translation Glossary if:

The word appears in many places
You want consistent translations of specific words or phrases

Use Translation replacements if:

to replace an already translated word or phrase

Rule of thumb: Glossary for meaning, translation replacements for control.

If you need to change structure or remove content, you will need substitution rules instead.

Using both together

The real power comes from combining both features.

Example workflow:

Add product names to the glossary to ensure consistent translations.
Use translations replacements to adjust specific phrases where needed.

This approach keeps translations clean while giving you full control over the final result.

Common mistakes to avoid

These issues come up often:

Using translation replacements for terminology changes
Expecting glossary entries to remove content
Creating overly specific translation replacements that never match