This guide adapts rules and examples from Microsoft’s Macedonian Localization Style Guide (originally written for software/UI localization). The underlying linguistic rules apply universally — to legal contracts, medical documents, marketing copy, and any Macedonian translation work. Restructured and reformatted as a general Macedonian translator reference by ChatsControl.

Macedonian Translation Style Guide — Voice, Word Choice & Common Pitfalls (Legal, Medical, Marketing, IT)¶

TL;DR¶

• Macedonian uses postpositional definite article suffixes (-от/-та/-то/-те) — prefer definite article over possessive pronouns.
• Latin-script acronyms are transliterated into Cyrillic (RAM→РАМ) EXCEPT those containing W, Q, X, Y (stay as XML, WPA).
• Capitalization is SPARING — even ‘web’ and ‘internet’ are lowercase.
• Avoid вие/ваш/вашиот pronouns; use neutral structures, passive, or definite article.
• Comma is decimal separator (5,25 см); curly quotation marks „xxx”.

Register and tone for Macedonian translation¶

Macedonian translation should sound natural — like a product originally written in Macedonian, not translated word-for-word from English. Three voice principles:

• Warm and relaxed — natural, conversational.
• Crisp and clear — write for scanning.
• Ready to lend a hand — anticipate needs.

Why this matters: Bureaucratic register damages outcomes across spheres. In marketing it kills conversion. In medical patient materials it reduces comprehension. In software UI it creates friction. In consumer-facing legal documents plain language is increasingly mandated.

Word choice¶

Short word forms and everyday words¶

Words and phrases to avoid¶

Sample voice scenarios¶

Addressing the user to take action¶

Promoting a feature¶

How-to guidelines¶

Explanatory text¶

Grammar, syntax, and orthographic conventions¶

Abbreviations¶

Abbreviation methods: 1. First letter 2. First syllable 3. First vowel/consonant

Don’t abbreviate внес. Don’t abbreviate anything users might not immediately recognize.

Acronyms¶

Localized acronyms (transliterated to Cyrillic)¶

Latin acronyms are transliterated into Cyrillic, except those containing W, Q, X, Y. Some acronyms already integrated as nouns follow Macedonian noun rules (модем, кодек, ласер).

Unlocalized acronyms (contain W, Q, X, Y)¶

Adjectives¶

Adjective agrees in gender and number with the noun: - serious error → сериозна грешка - serious errors → сериозни грешки

All plural adjectives in Macedonian end in -и. Adjectives can be used with definite article: сериозните.

Possessive adjectives¶

Macedonian also uses possessives, but in localization, OMIT possessive adjectives where possible and use the definite article instead.

Articles¶

Articles in Macedonian are postpositional suffixes attached to nouns (-от/-та/-то/-те).

Unlocalized feature names¶

Microsoft product names used WITHOUT articles:

Localized feature names¶

Treated as regular words with article suffixes:

English borrowed terms¶

Borrowed words follow Macedonian noun-class rules and take article suffixes:

Capitalization¶

Use VERY SPARINGLY. Only capitalize when you have to.

Capitalize: - First word of UI titles, commands, menus, dialog box titles, program names (only first word: Кадар на екранот) - Nouns/noun-equivalents denoting person, institution, city, state, newspaper

Do NOT capitalize: - Weekdays, months, languages, nationalities (четврток, март, македонски јазик) - “web” (веб-страница) - “Internet” (интернет-протокол) - In multi-word names, second-and-later words (Вкрстена референца)

Source-term capitalization does NOT imply Macedonian capitalization.

Compounds¶

Compounds should be understandable. Avoid long/complex compounds.

Compounding strategy: each morpheme of compound can be written separately, jointly, or with hyphens.

Conjunctions¶

Use conjunctions for conversational tone. If possible, start the sentence with a conjunction.

Gender¶

Avoid masculine or feminine when referring to user (use neutral construction). Avoid combining both genders.

Localizing colloquialism, idioms, metaphors¶

Three options: 1. Replace with Macedonian colloquialism only if perfect/natural fit 2. Translate intended meaning (not literal) 3. Drop if can be omitted

Nouns¶

Translate nouns as nouns. Use Macedonian words instead of loanwords where possible. Long-integrated loanwords follow Macedonian noun rules.

Plural¶

Masculine and feminine nouns add -и. Neuter nouns usually add -а, occasionally -и.

Numbers¶

Numbers 1-10 are written as words. Above 10 may be either words or numerals.

Numbers 1 and 2 are gender-dependent: - one: masc еден/едни, fem една/едни, neut едно/едни - two: masc два, fem две, neut две

Other numbers same form across genders.

Ordinals¶

Add -ти (m), -та (f), -то (n) to base numeral. Exceptions: first/second/third (први, втори, трети).

If base ends in т, double t (петти, деветти). Reduced forms for seventh/eighth (седми, осми).

Ordinal in numeral form is followed by a period: 3. Македонска бригада, 5. роденден.

Collective numbers (for groups of people)¶

• 2, 3, 4: suffix -(и)ца (двајца, тројца, четворица)
• 5+: suffix -(м)ина (петина, шесмина, седуммина, осуммина, деветмина…)
• With definite article: двајцата, тројцата, петтемина…
• Approximation: два-три, пет-шест, седум-осум
• Round numbers: -ина (десетина, педесетина, стотина)
• Multiplicative: двојно, тројно; -кратно for 5+ (петкратно, шесткратно)

Prepositions¶

Macedonian is analytic and uses prepositions extensively. Where possible to save space, avoid excessive use — but not at all cost.

Pronouns¶

Pronouns вие, вам, ваш, вашиот are NOT capitalized in software, documentation, materials addressed to general users. They are capitalized in private/business letters to specific people.

In English “you/your” is used more often than in Macedonian. AVOID вие/вам/ваш/вашиот where possible. Use neutral structures, passive voice, or definite article.

Punctuation¶

Comma¶

Separates parts of compound sentences, items in enumeration, consecutive actions.

Comma is the DECIMAL separator (5,25 см).

Don’t capitalize word after comma.

Colon¶

After enumeration. In lists. Don’t capitalize following word, except in letter salutations or list items that are full sentences.

Hyphen / en dash / em dash¶

• Hyphen — syllables, compound parts, inverted/imperative verbs. Also in ordinals.
• En dash — usually with spaces; separates parts of sentence; for ranges.
• Em dash — NOT USED in Macedonian.

Ellipsis¶

Remove all spaces before ellipsis. Never use three dots — use ellipsis character.

Period¶

End of declarative sentence. Following word capitalized unless period in abbreviation.

Use period after some abbreviations. NO period after measurement abbreviations and acronyms.

If sentence ends with abbreviation (with its own period), no extra period.

Quotation marks¶

Curly: opening at bottom „, closing at top “. Punctuation following quoted word goes OUTSIDE.

Parentheses¶

No space between parens and inner text. Period placement: outside closing bracket if parens enclose part of sentence; inside if they enclose full sentence.

Sentence fragments¶

Use fragments to convey conversational tone. Replace вие/ваш/this/that with definite article.

Split infinitive¶

English split infinitive translates to “да-конструкција” following the adverb.

Symbols and non-breaking spaces¶

Use non-breaking space (Ctrl+Shift+Spacebar) in abbreviations. If non-breaking spaces can’t be used (Help files), write without space:

Verbs¶

Use simple present tense. Passive voice may be used for shortness.

Error messages¶

Use consistent terminology. Decide case-by-case whether exclamation mark is appropriate.

Standard phrases¶

Error messages with placeholders¶

Letters in placeholders: %d/%ld/%u/%lu = number; %c = letter; %s = string.

Consider singular/plural agreement of word following placeholder for gender/number agreement.

Keys¶

Keyboard shortcut special options¶

Standard shortcut keys¶

Applications, products, features¶

Trademarked. Rarely translated. Verify before translating.

Well-localizable product names usually localized. Check Microsoft Language Portal.

Preposition “for” is translated in product names: Word for Windows → Word за Windows (unless whole name including “for” is trademarked).

Version numbers¶

Always contain period (Version 4.2): Верзија x.x.

Trademarks¶

Trademarked names and “Microsoft Corporation” not localized unless local laws require translation with approved form.

Geopolitical concerns¶

Sensitive content in maps/flags/country names/cultural references requires market-specific review.

Accessibility¶

Accessibility options for cognitive, hearing, physical, visual disabilities. Flexible UI, alternative I/O, screen-element exposure.

English pronunciation (voice / video)¶

Acronyms (as words)¶

Letter by letter¶

URLs¶

Omit http://. “www” → “дупло ве дупло ве дупло ве”. “dot” → “точка”.

http://www.microsoft.com → дупло ве дупло ве дупло ве точка мајкрософт точка ком

Punctuation in speech¶

? ! : ; , implied by voice. En dash (–) for emphasis = comma pause.

Reference materials¶

Normative references:

1. Поимник на македонски зборови од областа на информатичката технологија, Министерство за информатичко општество, 2009. Glossary of Macedonian IT Terms — the authoritative IT vocabulary.
2. Толковен речник на македонскиот јазик, Институт за македонски јазик „Крсте Мисирков” (4 vols., 2003-2008).
3. Правопис на македонскиот литературен јазик (1998 / 1999). Orthographic standard.
4. Мургоски, З. Речник на македонскиот јазик (2006).
5. Конески, Б. Граматика на македонскиот литературен јазик (Скопје: Култура, 1982). Standard grammar.
6. Конески, К. Правописен речник на македонскиот литературен јазик (1999).
7. Мургоски, З. Голем англиско-македонски речник (2004). English-Macedonian dictionary.
8. Мургоски, З. Голем македонско-англиски речник (2006).
9. Конески, К. Зборообразувањето во современиот македонски јазик (2003).
10. Минова-Ѓуркова, Л. Стилистика на современиот македонски јазик (2003).
11. Минова-Ѓуркова, Л. Синтакса на македонскиот стандарден јазик (2003).

FAQ¶

What’s the modern register for Macedonian translation across professional contexts?¶

Clear, friendly, concise. Use everyday Macedonian rather than overly formal vocabulary. Replace Потребно е with Треба, Лоцира with Наоѓа, Во согласност со with Согласно. Use conjunctions to start sentences when conveying conversational tone (Со преименување на датотеката instead of Кога ќе ја преименувате датотеката).

How does Macedonian’s postpositional definite article affect translation?¶

Macedonian definite articles are SUFFIXES attached to the end of nouns: -от (masc), -та (fem), -то (neut), -те (plural). This means English ‘your file’ typically becomes датотеката (the file) rather than вашата датотека (your file with separate possessive pronoun). The definite article alone carries enough specificity for the user to identify what’s being referred to.

Which English acronyms are transliterated into Cyrillic and which stay in Latin?¶

The Macedonian Glossary of Information Technology Terms transliterates Latin acronyms into Cyrillic — RAM→РАМ, ROM→РОМ, OS→ОС, DPI→ДПИ, IP→ИП. EXCEPTION: acronyms containing the letters W, Q, X, Y are NOT transliterated and stay in Latin script — WPA, QC, XML. This is because the letters W, Q, X, Y don’t exist in the Macedonian Cyrillic alphabet.

How is Macedonian capitalization different from English?¶

Macedonian capitalizes sparingly. Names of weekdays, months, languages, nationalities are NOT capitalized (четврток, март, македонски јазик). The word веб and интернет are NOT capitalized (веб-страница, интернет-протокол). In UI element names consisting of multiple words, only the first word is capitalized (Кадар на екранот). Don’t mimic English capitalization patterns.

What authoritative Macedonian language references should I use?¶

Поимник на македонски зборови од областа на информатичката технологија (Glossary of Macedonian IT Terms, Ministry of Information Society 2009) for IT terminology. Толковен речник на македонскиот јазик (Institute for Macedonian Language Krste Misirkov, 2003-2008, 4 vols.) for general vocabulary. Правопис на македонскиот литературен јазик (1999) for orthography. Конески — Граматика на македонскиот литературен јазик (1982) for grammar.

Sources¶

• Microsoft Localization Style Guide for Macedonian (PDF)
• Institute for Macedonian Language Krste Misirkov
• Ministry of Information Society and Administration