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This guide shows you the easiest way to translate any WordPress plugin to your language using Loco Translate - a free, lightweight plugin that lets you translate directly in your browser.

Why Loco Translate?

• ✅ Free and lightweight - No performance impact
• ✅ Works in browser - No software to download
• ✅ Simple interface - Anyone can use it
• ✅ Instant results - Changes appear immediately
• ✅ No technical knowledge needed - No FTP, no file editing

Applies to: Any WordPress plugin (BEAR, WOOCS, WOOF, WooCommerce, etc.)

Method 1: Using Loco Translate (Recommended)

This is the easiest and most modern way to translate plugins. No file downloads, no FTP, no technical knowledge required.

Step 1: Install Loco Translate

1. Go to Plugins → Add New
2. Search for "Loco Translate"
3. Click Install Now
4. Click Activate

Plugin page: https://wordpress.org/plugins/loco-translate/

Step 2: Navigate to Loco Translate

1. Go to Loco Translate → Plugins
2. Find your plugin in the list (e.g., "BEAR" or "woo-bulk-editor")
3. Click on the plugin name

Step 3: Create or Edit Translation

If translation already exists for your language:

1. Click on your language (e.g., "Spanish", "Français", "Deutsch")
2. Click Edit
3. Skip to Step 4

If translation doesn't exist:

1. Click + New language
2. Select your language from dropdown
3. Choose location: System (recommended) - stores in /wp-content/languages/plugins/
4. Click Start translating

Step 4: Translate Strings

You'll see a list of all text strings from the plugin:

1. Click on a string in the list (left side)
2. Type translation in the box at the bottom
3. Click Save or press Enter
4. Repeat for other strings

Tips:

• Strings with ❌ icon are untranslated
• Strings with ✅ icon are translated
• Filter by "Untranslated" to see what needs work
• Use search box to find specific strings

Step 5: Sync and Save

1. After translating, click Save button (top right)
2. Loco automatically creates .mo file
3. Refresh your site to see changes

That's it! Your plugin is now translated.

Method 2: Manual Installation (Alternative)

Use this method only if:

• You can't install Loco Translate
• You downloaded translation files from plugin website
• Loco Translate doesn't work for some reason

Step 1: Download Translation Files

Visit plugin's website (example for BEAR):

• https://bulk-editor.com/translations

Download both files:

• .po file (source)
• .mo file (compiled)

Step 2: Upload to WordPress

Via FTP:

1. Connect to your site via FTP
2. Navigate to /wp-content/languages/plugins/
3. Upload both .po and .mo files

Via Hosting File Manager:

1. Log into hosting control panel
2. Open File Manager
3. Go to /public_html/wp-content/languages/plugins/
4. Upload both files

Important: Files must be named correctly:

Examples:

• Spanish: woo-bulk-editor-es_ES.mo
• French: woocommerce-currency-switcher-fr_FR.mo
• German: woocommerce-products-filter-de_DE.mo

Step 3: Set WordPress Language

1. Go to Settings → General
2. Select "Site Language"
3. Choose your language
4. Click Save Changes

Step 4: Clear Cache

Clear all caches:

• WordPress cache (if using cache plugin)
• Browser cache (Ctrl+Shift+Delete)
• Server cache (check hosting panel)

Troubleshooting

Translation Not Showing

Check these in order:

1. WordPress language set correctly?
   • Go to Settings → General
   • Verify "Site Language" matches your translation
2. Cache cleared?
   • Clear WordPress cache (WP Super Cache, WP Rocket, etc.)
   • Clear browser cache (Ctrl+Shift+Delete)
   • Try incognito mode
3. Plugin reloaded?
   • Go to Plugins
   • Deactivate and reactivate the plugin
4. Files in correct location? (Manual method only)
   • Check files are in /wp-content/languages/plugins/
   • Verify file names match format exactly

Partial Translation

Problem: Some text translated, some still in English

Causes:

• Translation incomplete (not all strings translated)
• Plugin updated with new strings
• Developer hard-coded some text

Solution:

1. Open translation in Loco Translate
2. Filter by "Untranslated"
3. Translate missing strings
4. Save

Loco Translate Shows Empty List

Problem: No strings appear when editing translation

Solution:

1. Click Sync button (top toolbar)
2. This scans plugin for new strings
3. Strings should appear

Changes Don't Appear

Problem: Translated in Loco but site still shows English

Solution:

1. Make sure you clicked Save in Loco
2. Clear all caches
3. Hard refresh browser (Ctrl+F5)
4. Check WordPress language is set correctly

Best Practices

1. Use Loco Translate - Simplest, fastest, most reliable
2. Save frequently - Click Save button often while translating
3. Test after translating - Check frontend to see results
4. Translate important strings first - Focus on visible text users see
5. Keep backups - Export translation from Loco if making many changes

Common Language Codes

Need to know your language code? Here are the most common:

• Spanish (Spain): es_ES
• Spanish (Mexico): es_MX
• French (France): fr_FR
• German: de_DE
• Italian: it_IT
• Portuguese (Brazil): pt_BR
• Portuguese (Portugal): pt_PT
• Polish: pl_PL
• Dutch: nl_NL
• Russian: ru_RU
• Chinese (Simplified): zh_CN
• Japanese: ja

Summary

Easiest method (Recommended):

1. Install Loco Translate plugin
2. Go to Loco Translate → Plugins
3. Select your plugin
4. Create or edit translation
5. Translate strings in browser
6. Click Save - Done!

Manual method (If needed):

1. Download .po and .mo files
2. Upload to /wp-content/languages/plugins/
3. Set WordPress language
4. Clear caches

If translation doesn't work:

1. Check WordPress language setting
2. Clear all caches
3. Reload plugin (deactivate/activate)
4. Verify file names (manual method)

Remember: Loco Translate works with any plugin - you don't need pre-made translation files!