How to Translate Captions into Another Language in Submagic

Generate translated, timed captions in Submagic to reach viewers in other languages.

7 minIntermediate

Visit Submagic

Translating your captions multiplies your reach without re-recording. Submagic can transcribe in the spoken language and then translate the timed captions into a target language. This guide covers the full flow and the quality checks that matter.

A Submagic project with captions already generated
Knowledge of the source spoken language
A target language you (or a reviewer) can sanity check

Step 1: Generate the base captions first

Translation works from your existing transcript, so accuracy compounds. Clean up the original captions before translating, otherwise mistakes get carried into the new language.

Step 2: Open the translate option

In the editor look for the Translate or Languages control near the subtitle settings. Click it to open the list of target languages Submagic supports.

Submagic - Translate

Translate captions

Source: English (detected)

Target: [ Spanish v ] French German Portuguese

[ Translate ] keep original timing (x)

Choosing a target language for the existing timed captions.

Step 3: Translate and review

Pick the target language and click Translate. Submagic keeps the original timing and swaps the text. Read through the result, because machine translation can stumble on idioms, slang, and brand names.

Review before publishing

Never publish a translation you cannot read. A single mistranslated word in marketing copy can change the meaning entirely. Have a native speaker skim it when stakes are high.

Step 4: Fix timing for longer text

Some languages run longer than English. If a translated line overruns its slot, split it across two cues or shorten the phrasing so viewers can still keep up.

Submagic - Translated Editor

[ Preview ] asi se hace este truco

EN: this is how you do this trick

ES: asi se hace este truco (fits 2.1s)

A Spanish line edited to fit the original cue length.

Step 5: Export each language separately

Export one MP4 per language so each version has only its own captions burned in. Name the files clearly, for example clip-es.mp4 and clip-fr.mp4, so you do not mix them up when posting.

Example: a 30 second tip clip became three localized versions for English, Spanish, and Portuguese audiences in under ten minutes total.