# Messages Koseven has a robust key based lookup system so you can define system messages. ## Getting a message Use the [KO7::message()](../api/KO7#message) method to get a message key: KO7::message('forms', 'foo'); This will look in the `messages/forms.php` file for the `foo` key: 'bar', ); You can also look in subfolders and sub-keys: KO7::message('forms/contact', 'foo.bar'); This will look in the `messages/forms/contact.php` for the `[foo][bar]` key: [ 'bar' => 'Hello, world!', ], ]; ## Notes * Don't use `__()` in your messages files, as these files can be cached and will not work properly. * Messages are merged by the cascading file system, not overwritten like classes and views. * You can also pass a 3rd parameter to the function which is considered as "default" value if the message does not exist