diff --git a/gramps/gui/editors/editplace.py b/gramps/gui/editors/editplace.py
index c4ae13193..e960d8389 100644
--- a/gramps/gui/editors/editplace.py
+++ b/gramps/gui/editors/editplace.py
@@ -196,11 +196,15 @@ class EditPlace(EditPrimary):
 
     def _validate_coordinate(self, widget, text, typedeg):
         if (typedeg == 'lat') and not conv_lat_lon(text, "0", "ISO-D"):
-            return ValidationError(_("Invalid latitude (syntax: 18\u00b09'") +
-                                   _('48.21"S, -18.2412 or -18:9:48.21)'))
+            return ValidationError(
+                # translators: translate the "S" too (and the "or" of course)
+                _('Invalid latitude\n(syntax: '
+                  '18\u00b09\'48.21"S, -18.2412 or -18:9:48.21)'))
         elif (typedeg == 'lon') and not conv_lat_lon("0", text, "ISO-D"):
-            return ValidationError(_("Invalid longitude (syntax: 18\u00b09'") +
-                                   _('48.21"E, -18.2412 or -18:9:48.21)'))
+            return ValidationError(
+                # translators: translate the "E" too (and the "or" of course)
+                _('Invalid longitude\n(syntax: '
+                  '18\u00b09\'48.21"E, -18.2412 or -18:9:48.21)'))
 
     def update_title(self):
         new_title = place_displayer.display(self.db, self.obj)
diff --git a/gramps/gui/editors/editplaceref.py b/gramps/gui/editors/editplaceref.py
index f69e85c00..165995380 100644
--- a/gramps/gui/editors/editplaceref.py
+++ b/gramps/gui/editors/editplaceref.py
@@ -189,11 +189,15 @@ class EditPlaceRef(EditReference):
 
     def _validate_coordinate(self, widget, text, typedeg):
         if (typedeg == 'lat') and not conv_lat_lon(text, "0", "ISO-D"):
-            return ValidationError(_("Invalid latitude (syntax: 18\u00b09'") +
-                                   _('48.21"S, -18.2412 or -18:9:48.21)'))
+            return ValidationError(
+                # translators: translate the "S" too (and the "or" of course)
+                _('Invalid latitude\n(syntax: '
+                  '18\u00b09\'48.21"S, -18.2412 or -18:9:48.21)'))
         elif (typedeg == 'lon') and not conv_lat_lon("0", text, "ISO-D"):
-            return ValidationError(_("Invalid longitude (syntax: 18\u00b09'") +
-                                   _('48.21"E, -18.2412 or -18:9:48.21)'))
+            return ValidationError(
+                # translators: translate the "E" too (and the "or" of course)
+                _('Invalid longitude\n(syntax: '
+                  '18\u00b09\'48.21"E, -18.2412 or -18:9:48.21)'))
 
     def update_title(self):
         new_title = place_displayer.display(self.db, self.source)