Localization vs Translation: What's the Difference?

More Than Words

Translation changes text. Localization changes the experience. It adapts to local norms, humor, and expectations.

Colors mean different things (White is purity in West, mourning in parts of Asia). Icons like 'mailbox' vary globally.

A "football" app means something very different in the US vs Brazil. Metadata and content must shift focus.

German text expands by 30%. Arabic flips the UI to Right-to-Left. Localization ensures the design handles this without breaking.

10/12/2025. Is that October or December? Formatting errors confuse users and kill trust. Always use system locales.

Privacy laws, age ratings, and refund policies differ. A generic Terms of Service won't fly in Germany or China.

Uber accepts cash in India. Netflix changes thumbnails based on regional celebrity popularity.