The most economical token-saving translation prompt, suitable for building translation platforms using ChatGPT API. Contributed by @Qizhen-Yang.
Prompt Content
zh-en translation of "text to translate"
FAQ
How is this different from ID 180 Chinese-English translation?
ID 180 has detailed structure suited to careful one-off translation. ID 181 has nearly zero prompt overhead and fits API batch or plugin scenarios, saving over 70 percent in token cost. Pick 181 for API calls, 180 for web chat.
Why is the minimalist version's quality still acceptable?
Mainstream large models (like ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, DeepSeek) have strong translation understanding without needing many instructions. But for specialized terminology or a specific style, minimalist prompts aren't enough. Return to 180 with style instructions in that case.
How do I use this prompt?
Copy the prompt, replace the [placeholder] in square brackets with your own input, then paste it into ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, DeepSeek, Qwen, or any conversational AI interface that supports natural language and send it.