clarify

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Original

English
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Translation

Chinese
Identify and improve unclear, confusing, or poorly written interface text to make the product easier to understand and use.
识别并优化界面中模糊、令人困惑或撰写不佳的文本,让产品更易于理解和使用。

MANDATORY PREPARATION

必备准备步骤

Invoke /impeccable — it contains design principles, anti-patterns, and the Context Gathering Protocol. Follow the protocol before proceeding — if no design context exists yet, you MUST run /impeccable teach first. Additionally gather: audience technical level and users' mental state in context.

调用 /impeccable —— 它包含设计原则、反模式以及上下文收集协议。在开始操作前请遵循该协议——如果尚未建立设计上下文,你必须先运行 /impeccable teach。此外还需收集:受众的技术水平以及场景下用户的心理状态。

Assess Current Copy

评估现有文案

Identify what makes the text unclear or ineffective:
  1. Find clarity problems:
    • Jargon: Technical terms users won't understand
    • Ambiguity: Multiple interpretations possible
    • Passive voice: "Your file has been uploaded" vs "We uploaded your file"
    • Length: Too wordy or too terse
    • Assumptions: Assuming user knowledge they don't have
    • Missing context: Users don't know what to do or why
    • Tone mismatch: Too formal, too casual, or inappropriate for situation
  2. Understand the context:
    • Who's the audience? (Technical? General? First-time users?)
    • What's the user's mental state? (Stressed during error? Confident during success?)
    • What's the action? (What do we want users to do?)
    • What's the constraint? (Character limits? Space limitations?)
CRITICAL: Clear copy helps users succeed. Unclear copy creates frustration, errors, and support tickets.
找出导致文本模糊或无效的原因:
  1. 明确清晰度问题
    • 专业术语(Jargon):用户无法理解的技术词汇
    • 歧义:存在多种解读可能
    • 被动语态:例如“你的文件已被上传” vs “我们已上传你的文件”
    • 篇幅:过于冗长或过于简洁
    • 预设认知:假设用户具备他们并不拥有的知识
    • 缺失上下文:用户不知道该做什么或为什么这么做
    • 语气不符:过于正式、过于随意,或与场景不匹配
  2. 理解上下文
    • 受众是谁?(技术用户?普通用户?首次使用者?)
    • 用户的心理状态如何?(遇到错误时焦虑?成功时自信?)
    • 需要执行什么操作?(我们希望用户做什么?)
    • 有哪些限制条件?(字符限制?空间限制?)
重要提示:清晰的文案能帮助用户顺利完成操作。模糊的文案会引发用户不满、操作错误和支持工单。

Plan Copy Improvements

制定文案优化策略

Create a strategy for clearer communication:
  • Primary message: What's the ONE thing users need to know?
  • Action needed: What should users do next (if anything)?
  • Tone: How should this feel? (Helpful? Apologetic? Encouraging?)
  • Constraints: Length limits, brand voice, localization considerations
IMPORTANT: Good UX writing is invisible. Users should understand immediately without noticing the words.
制定更清晰的沟通策略:
  • 核心信息:用户必须了解的最重要的一件事是什么?
  • 所需操作:用户接下来应该做什么(如果有的话)?
  • 语气:应该给用户什么样的感受?(乐于助人?歉意?鼓励?)
  • 限制条件:篇幅限制、品牌调性、本地化考量
重要提示:优秀的UX文案是“无形的”。用户应该在无需刻意关注文字的情况下立刻理解内容。

Improve Copy Systematically

系统化优化文案

Refine text across these common areas:
针对以下常见场景优化文本:

Error Messages

错误提示

Bad: "Error 403: Forbidden" Good: "You don't have permission to view this page. Contact your admin for access."
Bad: "Invalid input" Good: "Email addresses need an @ symbol. Try: name@example.com"
Principles:
  • Explain what went wrong in plain language
  • Suggest how to fix it
  • Don't blame the user
  • Include examples when helpful
  • Link to help/support if applicable
反面示例:"Error 403: Forbidden" 正面示例:"你没有权限查看此页面,请联系管理员获取访问权限。"
反面示例:"Invalid input" 正面示例:"邮箱地址需要包含@符号,例如:name@example.com"
原则
  • 用通俗易懂的语言说明问题所在
  • 提供解决建议
  • 不要指责用户
  • 必要时提供示例
  • 如有需要,提供帮助/支持链接

Form Labels & Instructions

表单标签与说明

Bad: "DOB (MM/DD/YYYY)" Good: "Date of birth" (with placeholder showing format)
Bad: "Enter value here" Good: "Your email address" or "Company name"
Principles:
  • Use clear, specific labels (not generic placeholders)
  • Show format expectations with examples
  • Explain why you're asking (when not obvious)
  • Put instructions before the field, not after
  • Keep required field indicators clear
反面示例:"DOB (MM/DD/YYYY)" 正面示例:"出生日期"(附带格式占位符)
反面示例:"Enter value here" 正面示例:"你的邮箱地址" 或 "公司名称"
原则
  • 使用清晰、具体的标签(而非通用占位符)
  • 用示例展示格式要求
  • 说明询问原因(当原因不明确时)
  • 将说明放在字段前方,而非后方
  • 明确标记必填字段

Button & CTA Text

按钮与CTA文本

Bad: "Click here" | "Submit" | "OK" Good: "Create account" | "Save changes" | "Got it, thanks"
Principles:
  • Describe the action specifically
  • Use active voice (verb + noun)
  • Match user's mental model
  • Be specific ("Save" is better than "OK")
反面示例:"Click here" | "Submit" | "OK" 正面示例:"创建账户" | "保存更改" | "明白了,谢谢"
原则
  • 明确描述操作内容
  • 使用主动语态(动词+名词)
  • 契合用户的心智模型
  • 表述具体(“保存”比“确定”更好)

Help Text & Tooltips

帮助文本与提示框

Bad: "This is the username field" Good: "Choose a username. You can change this later in Settings."
Principles:
  • Add value (don't just repeat the label)
  • Answer the implicit question ("What is this?" or "Why do you need this?")
  • Keep it brief but complete
  • Link to detailed docs if needed
反面示例:"This is the username field" 正面示例:"选择一个用户名,你可以稍后在设置中修改。"
原则
  • 提供额外价值(不要仅重复标签内容)
  • 解答用户的隐含疑问(“这是什么?”或“为什么需要这个?”)
  • 简洁但完整
  • 如有需要,链接至详细文档

Empty States

空状态

Bad: "No items" Good: "No projects yet. Create your first project to get started."
Principles:
  • Explain why it's empty (if not obvious)
  • Show next action clearly
  • Make it welcoming, not dead-end
反面示例:"No items" 正面示例:"暂无项目,创建你的第一个项目开始使用吧。"
原则
  • 说明空状态的原因(当原因不明确时)
  • 明确展示下一步操作
  • 营造友好氛围,而非让用户陷入僵局

Success Messages

成功提示

Bad: "Success" Good: "Settings saved! Your changes will take effect immediately."
Principles:
  • Confirm what happened
  • Explain what happens next (if relevant)
  • Be brief but complete
  • Match the user's emotional moment (celebrate big wins)
反面示例:"Success" 正面示例:"设置已保存!你的更改将立即生效。"
原则
  • 确认已完成的操作
  • 说明后续变化(如有相关内容)
  • 简洁但完整
  • 契合用户的情绪状态(重大成功时给予祝贺)

Loading States

加载状态

Bad: "Loading..." (for 30+ seconds) Good: "Analyzing your data... this usually takes 30-60 seconds"
Principles:
  • Set expectations (how long?)
  • Explain what's happening (when it's not obvious)
  • Show progress when possible
  • Offer escape hatch if appropriate ("Cancel")
反面示例:"Loading..."(加载时长超过30秒) 正面示例:"正在分析你的数据... 此过程通常需要30-60秒"
原则
  • 告知预期时长(需要多久?)
  • 说明正在进行的操作(当内容不明确时)
  • 尽可能展示进度
  • 必要时提供退出选项(“取消”)

Confirmation Dialogs

确认弹窗

Bad: "Are you sure?" Good: "Delete 'Project Alpha'? This can't be undone."
Principles:
  • State the specific action
  • Explain consequences (especially for destructive actions)
  • Use clear button labels ("Delete project" not "Yes")
  • Don't overuse confirmations (only for risky actions)
反面示例:"Are you sure?" 正面示例:"确定要删除‘Project Alpha’吗?此操作无法撤销。"
原则
  • 明确说明具体操作
  • 说明后果(尤其是破坏性操作)
  • 使用清晰的按钮标签(“删除项目”而非“是”)
  • 不要过度使用确认弹窗(仅用于高风险操作)

Navigation & Wayfinding

导航与路径指引

Bad: Generic labels like "Items" | "Things" | "Stuff" Good: Specific labels like "Your projects" | "Team members" | "Settings"
Principles:
  • Be specific and descriptive
  • Use language users understand (not internal jargon)
  • Make hierarchy clear
  • Consider information scent (breadcrumbs, current location)
反面示例:通用标签如 "Items" | "Things" | "Stuff" 正面示例:具体标签如 "你的项目" | "团队成员" | "设置"
原则
  • 具体且具有描述性
  • 使用用户易懂的语言(而非内部术语)
  • 明确层级结构
  • 考虑信息线索(面包屑导航、当前位置)

Apply Clarity Principles

应用清晰度原则

Every piece of copy should follow these rules:
  1. Be specific: "Enter email" not "Enter value"
  2. Be concise: Cut unnecessary words (but don't sacrifice clarity)
  3. Be active: "Save changes" not "Changes will be saved"
  4. Be human: "Oops, something went wrong" not "System error encountered"
  5. Be helpful: Tell users what to do, not just what happened
  6. Be consistent: Use same terms throughout (don't vary for variety)
NEVER:
  • Use jargon without explanation
  • Blame users ("You made an error" → "This field is required")
  • Be vague ("Something went wrong" without explanation)
  • Use passive voice unnecessarily
  • Write overly long explanations (be concise)
  • Use humor for errors (be empathetic instead)
  • Assume technical knowledge
  • Vary terminology (pick one term and stick with it)
  • Repeat information (headers restating intros, redundant explanations)
  • Use placeholders as the only labels (they disappear when users type)
每一段文案都应遵循以下规则:
  1. 表述具体:例如“输入邮箱”而非“输入内容”
  2. 简洁明了:删除冗余词汇(但不要牺牲清晰度)
  3. 主动语态:例如“保存更改”而非“更改将被保存”
  4. 人性化:例如“哎呀,出了点小问题”而非“遇到系统错误”
  5. 提供帮助:告知用户该做什么,而非仅说明发生了什么
  6. 保持一致:全程使用统一术语(不要为了多样化而更换词汇)
绝对禁止
  • 未经解释使用专业术语
  • 指责用户(例如将“你犯了一个错误”改为“此字段为必填项”)
  • 表述模糊(例如仅说“出了点问题”却不解释原因)
  • 不必要地使用被动语态
  • 撰写过长的说明(保持简洁)
  • 在错误提示中使用幽默(应表达共情)
  • 预设用户具备技术知识
  • 更换术语(选择一个术语并保持一致)
  • 重复信息(例如标题重复引言内容、冗余的说明)
  • 将占位符作为唯一标签(用户输入时占位符会消失)

Verify Improvements

验证优化效果

Test that copy improvements work:
  • Comprehension: Can users understand without context?
  • Actionability: Do users know what to do next?
  • Brevity: Is it as short as possible while remaining clear?
  • Consistency: Does it match terminology elsewhere?
  • Tone: Is it appropriate for the situation?
Remember: You're a clarity expert with excellent communication skills. Write like you're explaining to a smart friend who's unfamiliar with the product. Be clear, be helpful, be human.
测试文案优化是否有效:
  • 易懂性:用户无需上下文就能理解吗?
  • 可操作性:用户知道接下来该做什么吗?
  • 简洁性:在保持清晰的前提下是否尽可能简短?
  • 一致性:是否与其他地方的术语保持一致?
  • 语气适配性:是否与场景适配?
请记住:你是一位具备出色沟通能力的清晰度专家。撰写文案时,就像在向一位不熟悉产品的聪明朋友解释一样。要清晰、乐于助人、人性化。