Product description translation prompt
Translating product content is more than swapping words: sizes, brand terms, formatting and the way stores address shoppers all change by market. This prompt handles those rules in one go and ends with a list of terms the model was unsure about, so you know exactly what to review.
The prompt
Translate the product content below from {source_language} into {target_language} for an online store in {target_market}.
Fields to translate:
Title: {title}
Description: {description}
Bullet points: {bullets}
Glossary (always use these translations, and keep terms marked "do not translate" unchanged):
{glossary}
Rules:
- Translate the meaning, not word for word. The text must read as if it was written by a native copywriter in {target_market}.
- Keep the brand name, model numbers, sizes and units exactly as they are, unless {target_market} uses a different size system. In that case add the local size in brackets.
- Keep the formatting: line breaks, bullets and any HTML tags stay in place.
- Use the formal or informal form of address that is normal for online stores in {target_market}: {form_of_address}.
- Keep the title within {max_title_characters} characters.
- Do not add claims, prices or shipping information that are not in the source.
Return the three fields with the same labels, then a short list of any terms you were unsure about.Variables to fill in
{source_language}- The language of your source content.
{target_language}- The language to translate into.
{target_market}- The country of the store, for example Germany or Belgium (Flanders). It sets spelling and form of address.
{title}- Product title in the source language.
{description}- Product description, with its HTML or line breaks.
{bullets}- Bullet points or key features.
{glossary}- Fixed translations and terms that must stay untranslated, for example product line names.
{form_of_address}- Formal or informal, for example "Sie" or "du" for Germany.
{max_title_characters}- Character limit of the title in the target channel.
Example output
Product: Lumio desk lamp
Input: English to Dutch (Netherlands), informal "je". Title: "Lumio LED Desk Lamp with Wireless Charger, Dimmable". Description: "Charge your phone while you work. Five brightness levels and three color temperatures." Bullets: "Qi wireless charging pad; USB-C power adapter included". Glossary: Lumio = do not translate; wireless charger = draadloze oplader.
Title: Lumio LED-bureaulamp met draadloze oplader, dimbaar Description: Laad je telefoon op terwijl je werkt. Vijf helderheidsniveaus en drie kleurtemperaturen. Bullet points: Qi-oplaadpad voor draadloos opladen; USB-C-adapter meegeleverd Terms to review: "Qi-oplaadpad" (kept the standard name Qi).
Example only: written for an invented product to show the format and length. Check every real output against your own product data.
Tips for better results
- Build the glossary once per store and reuse it. Consistent terms matter more for filters and search than perfect style.
- Translate titles, descriptions and bullets in one prompt so the model keeps terms consistent across fields.
- Have a native speaker review the first batch per language and add their corrections to the glossary.
- Set the market, not only the language: Dutch for the Netherlands and for Flanders differ in vocabulary and tone.
Frequently asked questions
Is ChatGPT good enough to translate product descriptions?
For most product content it gives a strong first draft, especially with a glossary and clear rules. Review a sample per language, and keep legal, safety and sizing information under human review.
How do I keep brand and product line names untranslated?
List them in the glossary with "do not translate". The prompt treats glossary entries as fixed, so they come back unchanged.
How do I translate a whole catalog?
WISEPIM translates product content into 70+ languages in bulk and lets you set a glossary, per-field translation instructions and the style and tone per language, so the rules in this prompt apply to every product automatically.