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

title: tx
description: Translate a string on demand at runtime with General Translation. API reference for tx.

---

Translates strings at runtime. Unlike [`getGT`](/docs/node/reference/functions/get-gt), which resolves build-time translations, `tx` sends content for on-demand translation — so it can translate strings that are only known at runtime.

## Overview [#overview]

Await `tx` inside a [`withGT`](/docs/node/reference/functions/with-gt) scope with the string to translate. It resolves to the translated string.

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

const translated = await tx('Hello, world!');
```

Signature:

```ts
tx(content: string, options?: RuntimeTranslationOptions): Promise<string>
```

*Note: `tx` performs translation on demand, which means a network request and a delay compared to build-time translation. Use [`getGT`](/docs/node/reference/functions/get-gt) for strings known at build time, and `tx` only when the content is dynamic or not known ahead of time.*

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

- **Runtime translation.** Translations happen at runtime via a network request on a cache miss, so there is a delay compared to build-time translation. Reserve `tx` for dynamic content.
- **No ICU interpolation.** Unlike [`getGT`](/docs/node/reference/functions/get-gt), `tx` does not interpolate `{variable}` placeholders — it treats the string as plain text. Embed variables with JavaScript template literals so their values are included in the content sent for translation.
- **Fallback.** Returns the original string if no translation is needed.

## Parameters [#parameters]

| Parameter | Description | Type | Optional | Default |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [`content`](#content) | The string to translate. | `string` | No | — |
| [`options`](#options) | Options to customize translation behavior. | `RuntimeTranslationOptions` | Yes | — |

### `content` [#content]

**Type** `string` · **Required**

The string to translate. Embed dynamic values with template literals rather than `{variable}` placeholders.

### `options` [#options]

**Type** `RuntimeTranslationOptions` · **Optional**

Options to customize runtime translation:

- `$context?: string` — additional context to help disambiguate translations.
- `$locale?: string` — override the locale set by [`withGT`](/docs/node/reference/functions/with-gt).
- `$maxChars?: number` — maximum character count for the translation.
- `$requiresReview?: boolean` — whether the translation requires approval before use.

*Note: `RuntimeTranslationOptions` is like the inline options for [`getGT`](/docs/node/reference/functions/get-gt) but without `$id`, and its `$format` defaults to plain-string (non-ICU) rather than ICU.*

## Returns [#returns]

**Type** `Promise<string>`

Resolves to the translated string, or the original string if no translation is needed.

## Examples [#examples]

```ts title="handler.js"
// Basic usage
import { withGT, tx } from 'gt-node';

function handleRequest(locale) {
  return withGT(locale, async () => {
    return await tx('Processing complete');
  });
}
```

```ts title="handler.js"
// With variables — embed values with template literals, not {placeholders}
import { withGT, tx } from 'gt-node';

function handleStatus(locale, status) {
  return withGT(locale, async () => {
    return await tx(`Current status: ${status}`);
  });
}
```

```ts title="handler.js"
// With context to disambiguate translations
const translated = await tx('Spring', {
  $context: 'the season, not a coil',
});
```

```ts title="handler.js"
// Specifying a locale — override the withGT locale
const translated = await tx('Hello, world!', { $locale: 'fr' });
```

## Notes [#notes]

- `tx` is async and returns a promise. Always `await` the result.
- Translations happen at runtime via network request, so there is a delay compared to build-time translations.
- `tx` does not support ICU `{variable}` interpolation. Use template literals to embed variables.
- For static strings with ICU variable interpolation, use [`getGT`](/docs/node/reference/functions/get-gt) or [`msg`](/docs/node/reference/functions/msg) with [`getMessages`](/docs/node/reference/functions/get-messages).