_n() │ WP 2.8.0

Translates and retrieves the singular or plural form based on the supplied number (1 comment, 2 comments).

Used when you want to use the appropriate form of a string based on whether a number is singular or plural.

We need to pass translation strings and number to the function, then:

  • If a single number (1) is passed, the function returns the translated value of the first parameter: $single.

  • If a plural is passed (2 3 4), the function returns the translated value of the second parameter: $plural.

  • If it is not possible to get the translation of the desired line from the translation file, the function will return the original value of the line.

If the transfer ID ($domain) is specified. The function will pass the $single, $plural, and $number parameters to the Translations::translate_plural() method. Then the result and all parameters will be passed to the ngettext filter.

To translate a string to singular or plural form based on the supplied number with context, use the similar function _nx().

Uses: Translations::translate_plural()
Hooks from the function

Return

String. The translated or original string specified in the $single or $plural parameter, depending on the passed $number parameter.

Usage

_n( $single, $plural, $number, $domain );
$single(string) (required)
The text to be used if the number is singular.
$plural(string) (required)
The text to be used if the number is plural.
$number(int) (required)
The number to compare against to use either the singular or plural form.
$domain(string)
Text domain. Unique identifier for retrieving translated strings.
Default: 'default'

Examples

1

#1 Easy to use, for clarity [auto-translate] 

echo _n( '%s star', '%s stars', 1 );
// print: %s star

echo _n( '%s star', '%s stars', 3 );
// outputs: %s stars
0

#2 Replace %s with the desired (int). [auto-translate]

To do this, use the PHP function sprintf(). This is done in all themes:

$rating = 1;
echo sprintf( _n( '%s star', '%s stars', $rating, 'your_textdomain' ), $rating );
// Returns: 1 star

$rating = 4;
echo sprintf( _n( '%s star', '%s stars', $rating, 'your_textdomain' ), $rating );
// Returns: 4 stars

$rating = 6;
echo sprintf( _n( '%s star', '%s stars', $rating, 'your_textdomain' ), $rating );
// Returns: 6 stars
0

#3 Example from /wp-admin/edit-comments.php [auto-translate] 

if ( $approved > 0 )
	$messages[] = sprintf( _n( '%s comment approved', '%s comments approved', $approved ), $approved );
0

#4 Never perform calculations inside the sprintf() function! [auto-translate]

The following will not work:

$text = sprintf( 
	_n( '%s star', '%s stars', $rating, 'your-text-domain' ), 
	2 <= $rating ? $rating -1 : $rating
);

Right:

$rating = 2 <= $rating ? $rating - 1 : $rating;
$text = sprintf( 
	_n( '%s star', '%s stars', $rating, 'your-text-domain' ),
	$rating
);
-1

#5 With a translation file [auto-translate]

Next, it is assumed that there is a translation file, it is registered with
load_plugin_textdomain() and its identifier 'my_textdomain'.

Also in this translation file are translations for plural numbers, then:

echo _n( '%s star', '%s stars', 1, 'textdomain' );
// Returns: %s star

echo _n( '%s star', '%s stars', 4, 'textdomain' );
// Returns: %s stars

echo _n( '%s star', '%s stars', 6, 'textdomain' );
// Returns: %s stars
-1

#6 Translating the phrase about the number of items in WooCommerce [auto-translate] 

// Get the number of items in the cart, let it be 5
$count = WC()->cart->get_cart_contents_count();

//Translate to get "%s, %d goods"
$translation = _n( '%s, has %d product', '%s, has %d products', $count, 'woocommerce' );

// cut out the comma, if it is not needed, we get "%s %d goods"
$translation = str_replace( ',', '', $translation );

// Substitute data instead of placeholders to get "Only 5 products".
$translation = sprintf( $translation, 'Total', $count )

// Clean up and display
echo wp_kses_data( $translation );

Changelog

Since 2.8.0 Introduced.
Since 5.5.0 Introduced ngettext-{$domain} filter.

_n() code WP 6.6.2

wp-includes/l10n.php 
function _n( $single, $plural, $number, $domain = 'default' ) {
	$translations = get_translations_for_domain( $domain );
	$translation  = $translations->translate_plural( $single, $plural, $number );

	/**
	 * Filters the singular or plural form of a string.
	 *
	 * @since 2.2.0
	 *
	 * @param string $translation Translated text.
	 * @param string $single      The text to be used if the number is singular.
	 * @param string $plural      The text to be used if the number is plural.
	 * @param int    $number      The number to compare against to use either the singular or plural form.
	 * @param string $domain      Text domain. Unique identifier for retrieving translated strings.
	 */
	$translation = apply_filters( 'ngettext', $translation, $single, $plural, $number, $domain );

	/**
	 * Filters the singular or plural form of a string for a domain.
	 *
	 * The dynamic portion of the hook name, `$domain`, refers to the text domain.
	 *
	 * @since 5.5.0
	 *
	 * @param string $translation Translated text.
	 * @param string $single      The text to be used if the number is singular.
	 * @param string $plural      The text to be used if the number is plural.
	 * @param int    $number      The number to compare against to use either the singular or plural form.
	 * @param string $domain      Text domain. Unique identifier for retrieving translated strings.
	 */
	$translation = apply_filters( "ngettext_{$domain}", $translation, $single, $plural, $number, $domain );

	return $translation;
}

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