# gt-node: General Translation Node.js SDK: getGT
URL: https://generaltranslation.com/en-GB/docs/node/reference/functions/get-gt.mdx
---

title: getGT
description: Get a General Translation function for the current request locale to translate inline strings. API reference for getGT.

---

An async function that returns a translation function for the current request's locale. It resolves translations registered at build time by the General Translation compiler, falling back to the source string if no translation is found.

## Overview [#overview]

Await `getGT` inside a [`withGT`](/docs/node/reference/functions/with-gt) scope to get a synchronous `gt(message, options?)` function, then translate strings with it.

```ts
import { getGT } from 'gt-node';

const gt = await getGT();
const greeting = gt('Hello, world!');
```

Signature:

```ts
getGT(): Promise<GTFunctionType>

type GTFunctionType = (message: string, options?: GTTranslationOptions) => string;
```

*Note: `getGT` must be called within a [`withGT`](/docs/node/reference/functions/with-gt) callback so it knows which locale to use. It also accepts an internal `_messages` argument used by the compiler for development hot reload; you do not pass it directly.*

## How it works [#how-it-works]

* **Build-time translations.** `getGT` returns a build-time translation function. Strings are translated during the CD process before deployment, so production requests serve cached translations without a network round trip.
* **Development.** In development, translations happen on demand and require a Dev API key.
* **Fallback.** If no translation is found, the original (interpolated) source string is returned.
* **Interpolation.** Use `{variableName}` placeholders in the string and pass values in the options object. `gt-node` supports [ICU message format](https://unicode-org.github.io/icu/userguide/format_parse/messages/) for advanced formatting.

## Parameters [#parameters]

`getGT` takes no parameters. The returned `gt` function takes:

| Parameter             | Description                                      | Type                   | Optional | Default |
| --------------------- | ------------------------------------------------ | ---------------------- | -------- | ------- |
| [`message`](#message) | The string to translate.                         | `string`               | No       | —       |
| [`options`](#options) | Interpolation variables and translation options. | `GTTranslationOptions` | Yes      | `{}`    |

### `message` [#message]

**Type** `string` · **Required**

The string to translate. It may contain `{variable}` placeholders for ICU interpolation.

### `options` [#options]

**Type** `GTTranslationOptions` · **Optional**

Translation options and interpolation variables:

* `$context?: string` — additional context to help disambiguate translations.
* `$id?: string` — a custom ID for the translation entry.
* `$locale?: string` — override the locale for this request.
* `$format?: string` — the message format. Defaults to `'ICU'`.
* `$maxChars?: number` — maximum character count for the translation.
* `$requiresReview?: boolean` — whether the translation requires approval before use.
* Any other keys are treated as values to interpolate into the string using `{key}` syntax.

## Returns [#returns]

**Type** `Promise<GTFunctionType>`

Resolves to the `gt` translation function. Calling `gt(message, options?)` returns the translated string, or the original (interpolated) string if no translation is found.

## Examples [#examples]

```ts title="handler.js"
// Simple translation
import { withGT, getGT } from 'gt-node';

function handleRequest(locale) {
  return withGT(locale, async () => {
    const gt = await getGT();
    return gt('Hello, world!');
  });
}
```

```ts title="handler.js"
// With variables — use {name} in the string and pass values in the options object
import { withGT, getGT } from 'gt-node';

function handleGreeting(locale, name) {
  return withGT(locale, async () => {
    const gt = await getGT();
    return gt('Hello, {name}!', { name });
  });
}
```

```ts title="handler.js"
// With ICU message format
const gt = await getGT();
const balance = gt(
  'Your balance: {amount, number, ::currency/USD}',
  { amount: 1234.56 }
);
```

## Notes [#notes]

* `getGT` returns a build-time translation function; strings are translated during the CD process before deployment.
* In development, translations happen on demand and require a Dev API key.
* If no translation is found, the original string is returned as a fallback.
* For strings only known at runtime, use [`tx`](/docs/node/reference/functions/tx); for strings registered at module scope, use [`msg`](/docs/node/reference/functions/msg) with [`getMessages`](/docs/node/reference/functions/get-messages).