Pig Latin Translator (English to Pig Latin word game)

Understanding the Pig Latin translator — concept and principle

This translator turns English text into Pig Latin, the playground word game in which the start of each word moves to the end with "ay" added. It is used for fun, secret messages among children and simple language-play lessons.

Move the first sounds to the end: with the default inputs the result is Ellohay orldway… (7 words translated).

How it is calculated

A word starting with a consonant: move every consonant before the first vowel to the end and add "ay" (hello → ellohay, string → ingstray).
"qu" moves as one unit (quiet → ietquay).
"y" counts as a vowel unless it is the first letter (rhythm → ythmrhay, yellow → ellowyay).
A word starting with a vowel keeps its letters and gets an ending: "way", "yay" or "ay", depending on the variant chosen.
Capitals and punctuation stay in place; numbers and non-English letters are left as typed.

The principle

Pig Latin works on the sound at the start of a word: the opening consonant cluster is cut off and moved to the end, which disguises the word while keeping it easy to decode for anyone who knows the rule. Because spoken Pig Latin is based on sounds, the written rules are only an approximation; "qu" and "y" need special handling so that the result can still be pronounced. There is no official standard, which is why different groups use different endings for vowel-initial words.

Worked example

Default inputs: "Hello world, this is a secret message", ending "-way".

Hello → ello + h + ay = Ellohay (capital kept on the first letter).
world → orld + w + ay = orldway; the comma stays in place.
this → is + th + ay = isthay; is → isway; a → away.
secret → ecretsay; message → essagemay.
Result: Ellohay orldway, isthay isway away ecretsay essagemay; 7 words translated.

How to read the result

Read the translated words aloud to hear the effect; to decode, move the letters before "ay" back to the front. Different endings for vowel words (way, yay or ay) are all common, so agree on one with your friends.

Common mistakes

Moving only the first consonant when there is a cluster (string → tringsay instead of ingstray).
Treating "y" as a consonant in the middle of words.
Splitting "qu".
Expecting the rules to work for words borrowed from other languages.

Keep in mind: Pig Latin is a game, not a code. Anyone who knows the rules can read it, so do not use it to hide private information.

Frequently asked questions

How do you say hello in Pig Latin?

Ellohay.

What happens to words that start with a vowel?

They keep their letters and add an ending such as "way", "yay" or "ay".

Is there an official Pig Latin?

No. The rules vary slightly between groups.

Sources: Encyclopaedia Britannica, "Pig Latin" (language game)

Checked 9 Nov 2026. Rules of the traditional English word game as commonly described (consonant cluster moved to the end + “ay”; vowel-initial words take “way”, “yay” or “ay” depending on the variant); no official standard exists.

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