Syntax
<p>Open <span translate="no">Codectionary</span> to learn.</p>
<code translate="no">npm install</code>Examples
Controlling Translation with translate: working example
Save as an HTML file and open it in a browser. Expected result: The text displays normally, and the output reports Brand translation enabled: false. The page itself is not translated.
<!doctype html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
<meta charset="utf-8">
<meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1">
<title>HTML example</title>
</head>
<body>
<p>Read the guide on <span id="brand" translate="no">Codectionary</span>.</p>
<p>Type <code translate="no">npm install</code> in your terminal.</p>
<output id="hint"></output>
<script>
const brand = document.querySelector("#brand");
document.querySelector("#hint").textContent = `Brand translation enabled: ${brand.translate}`;
</script>
</body>
</html>- translate="no" tells a localisation process to leave Codectionary and the command unchanged. Descendants inherit the no-translate mode unless they override it.
- The brand element’s translate property reads false, confirming the declared mode in this browser. That does not prove that every translation service honours the hint.
- The document’s lang="en" declares its current language. The translate attribute has a different purpose: deciding which text should stay unchanged when localised.
Best practices
- Use translate="no" only where exact wording must remain unchanged.
- Keep lang accurate for the surrounding document and any passages in another language.
- Review translated pages; an attribute cannot guarantee third-party translation behaviour.
Browser compatibility
Support applies to the named feature, not every attribute or behaviour in this article. Versions refer to browsers, not operating systems.
translate
Desktop
- Chrome
- Supported
From 19 - Firefox
- Supported
From 111 - Safari
- Supported
From 6 - Edge
- Supported
From 79 - Opera
- Supported
From 15
Mobile
- Safari on iOS
- Supported
From 6 - Chrome for Android
- Supported
From 25 - Firefox for Android
- Supported
From 111 - Samsung Internet
- Supported
From 1.5
MDN BCD record for this feature · MDN reference
Support history and limitations
Chrome
- From 19
Firefox
- From 111
Safari
- From 6
Edge
- From 79
Opera
- From 15
Safari on iOS
- From 6
Chrome for Android
- From 25
Firefox for Android
- From 111
Samsung Internet
- From 1.5
HTMLElement.translate
Desktop
- Chrome
- Supported
From 19 - Firefox
- Supported
From 111 - Safari
- Supported
From 6 - Edge
- Supported
From 79 - Opera
- Supported
From 15
Mobile
- Safari on iOS
- Supported
From 6 - Chrome for Android
- Supported
From 25 - Firefox for Android
- Supported
From 111 - Samsung Internet
- Supported
From 1.5
MDN BCD record for this feature · MDN reference
Support history and limitations
Chrome
- From 19
Firefox
- From 111
Safari
- From 6
Edge
- From 79
Opera
- From 15
Safari on iOS
- From 6
Chrome for Android
- From 25
Firefox for Android
- From 111
Samsung Internet
- From 1.5
MDN BCD 8.1.5 · Dataset built 2026-10-08 · Mapping reviewed 2026-10-21. These dates are not individual browser-test or claim-verification dates. Unknown means the data does not establish support.