Text Expansion文本膨胀
Text expansion is the measurable increase in character or word count that occurs when translated content becomes longer than its source text, often expressed as a percentage or ratio per language pair. In localization and UI documentation, it is treated as a design and layout risk because expansion varies by language, register, and content type, affecting buttons, menus, dialogs, labels, and other fixed-size interface elements or printed layouts where space is constrained.
Angel Translation editorial reference · Confirm the rendering against your source and approved project terminology.
Check source meaning → confirm the preferred term → record approved variants and references.
Where this term appears
Localization engineers, UI designers, and translators encounter text expansion when adapting software strings, mobile app interfaces, subtitles, and printed templates. Language-service providers may list expected expansion rates in style guides or localization kits so developers allow enough space, avoid fixed widths, design flexible containers, and test with pseudo-localization before translation begins.
Translation checks
A common mistake is to translate a UI string without checking its length or to force a literal expansion into a fixed-size container, producing truncated text. Truncation can hide critical actions or safety information, and later redesign of buttons or dialogs is far more expensive than allowing flexible layout or character limits from the start.
Keep the term aligned across your files
Creative and consumer content needs accurate meaning as well as tone and context. Subtitles, interfaces and voice scripts also require checks for timing, character limits and pronunciation.
Provide approved terms and previous translations with the source files. Agree how variants, ambiguous wording and revisions will be reviewed. Terminology maintenance and any termbase handback are confirmed in the project scope. See the 8-step AI + expert workflow.
Related document experience
Kraft Foods
Transcription + dubbingEmployee-training video transcription and dubbing.
Read the published project →
Alexander Wang (Shanghai)
English ⇄ ChineseBrand documentation.
Read the published project →Published scope shows related industry experience; it does not confirm that this specific term was used or reviewed in the project.
Working on content globalization documentation?
Include the source and target languages, file types, intended use, deadline and any approved termbase. Agree handling before sending sensitive files. Acknowledged in 4 hours, quoted in 24.
Prepare an inquiry email →Content Globalization solutions →File handling →A glossary entry is not an official standard or evidence of regulatory acceptance. Confirm current requirements for your project separately.