How to implement internationalization (i18n) in Vue.js

Internationalization (i18n) in Vue.js involves setting up your application to support multiple languages and providing translations for various content. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to implement internationalization in Vue.js:

1. Install the Vue I18n Package: Start by installing the Vue I18n package. Open your terminal and run:

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   npm install vue-i18n
   

2. Setup Vue I18n in Your Project: In your main Vue instance (usually main.js), set up Vue I18n:

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   // main.js
   import Vue from 'vue';
   import VueI18n from 'vue-i18n';
   
   Vue.use(VueI18n);
   
   const i18n = new VueI18n({
     locale: 'en', // default locale
     messages: {
       en: require('./locales/en.json'), // import English translations
       // Add other languages as needed
     },
   });
   
   new Vue({
     i18n,
     // ...other configurations
   }).$mount('#app');
   

3. Create Language Files: Create language files for each supported language in the locales folder. For example, create en.json for English:

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   // en.json
   {
     "hello": "Hello",
     "greeting": "Welcome to our app"
     // ...other translations
   }
   

   Repeat this step for other languages, changing the file name accordingly.

4. Usage in Components: Use the $t method or the {{ $t('key') }} syntax in your components to display translated content:

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   <!-- Example.vue -->
   <template>
     <div>
       <p>{{ $t('hello') }}</p>
       <p>{{ $t('greeting') }}</p>
     </div>
   </template>
   
   <script>
   export default {
     // ...component options
   }
   </script>
   

5. Switching Languages: You can add a language switcher to allow users to change the language. Update the locale in your Vue instance to trigger a re-render with the new language.

6. Pluralization and Variables: Vue I18n supports pluralization and variable substitution. Refer to the documentation for details on how to handle these cases.