5 DeepL Tips Every Translator Should Know

How to Get More Accurate Translations with DeepL

Accurate translations are a mix of clear source text, smart use of tool features, and mindful post-editing. Here’s a concise, step-by-step guide to getting better results from DeepL.

1. Start with clear, simple source text

• Short sentences: Break long, complex sentences into shorter ones.
• Plain language: Avoid idioms, slang, and culturally specific references when possible.
• Consistent terminology: Use the same term consistently for key concepts.

2. Use formal vs. informal settings correctly

• Set the tone: Choose the appropriate formality (you/tu/vous) in DeepL when available to match your target audience.

3. Select the correct language and locale

• Exact target language: Pick the precise language variant (e.g., Spanish — Spain vs. Latin America; Portuguese — Portugal vs. Brazil) to match regional norms and vocabulary.

4. Add context when needed

• Provide short notes: For ambiguous words or acronyms, add brief clarifications in parentheses in the source text (e.g., “PSA (public service announcement)”).
• Use full sentences: Fragments can cause wrong parts of speech to be chosen.

5. Leverage DeepL Pro features (if available)

• Glossaries: Create a glossary for brand names, terminology, or preferred translations to enforce consistency.
• Document translation: Upload full documents to preserve formatting and context instead of copying fragments.
• Customization: Use available customization options to bias translations toward your style or vocabulary.

6. Post-edit strategically

• Check terminology: Verify that key terms match your industry standards or internal style guide.
• Adjust tone and register: Make small edits to adapt voice (formal, friendly, technical).
• Proofread for fluency: Read translated text aloud to catch unnatural phrasing.

7. Use iterative refinement

• Translate, edit, retranslate: If a sentence still reads poorly, rephrase the source and translate again.
• A/B test variations: Try alternate source phrasings to see which yields the best target sentence.

8. Combine machine translation with human review

• Human-in-the-loop: For high-stakes or public content, have a native speaker copyedit final output.
• Crowdsource feedback: Use team reviewers in target locales to catch cultural or semantic issues.

9. Beware of proper nouns and numbers

• Mark names and numbers clearly: Wrap unusual names, product codes, or numeric formats in brackets or provide notes so they aren’t mistranslated.
• Date/time formats: Convert formats to local conventions after translation if needed.

10. Continuous improvement

• Track recurring errors: Maintain a list of common mistranslations and add them to your glossary.
• Update glossaries and preferences: Revise as your product terminology or tone evolves.

Follow these steps to get cleaner, more accurate DeepL translations with less post-editing.