# python: t_fallback
URL: https://generaltranslation.com/en-US/docs/python/api/t-fallback.mdx
---
title: t_fallback
description: API reference for the t_fallback interpolation function
---

## Overview

`t_fallback` interpolates variables into a message string **without** performing a translation lookup.
Useful for strings that should be interpolated but not translated (e.g., user-facing defaults).

```python
from gt_i18n import t_fallback

message = t_fallback("Hello, {name}!", name="World")
```

## Reference

### Parameters

<TypeTable
  type={{
    "message": {
      type: 'str',
      description: 'The ICU MessageFormat string to interpolate.',
    },
    "**kwargs": {
      type: 'object',
      description: 'Variables to interpolate into the message.',
    },
  }}
/>

### Returns

`str` — the interpolated string.

---

## Examples

```python
from gt_i18n import t_fallback

# Simple interpolation
t_fallback("Welcome, {name}!", name="Alice")
# → "Welcome, Alice!"
```

---

## Notes

- Unlike [`t`](/docs/python/api/t), `t_fallback` never looks up translations — it only interpolates.
- Useful for fallback messages or strings in the default locale that don't need translation.