YouTube automatic captions are a useful starting point, but they can mishear names and numbers, remove punctuation, or replace technical words with unrelated phrases. Translating those mistakes repeats them in every language.
The ReTranslate subtitle translator lets you import existing YouTube subtitles, correct the source subtitle text, translate multiple languages together, and upload the translated subtitles to YouTube.
1. Select the source subtitles
Sign in with the Google account that manages the channel and choose an existing video. In Select Source Subtitle, choose one of the subtitle languages already available on YouTube.
YouTube labels its automatically generated text as Automatic captions. ReTranslate can use that text as the translation source. Changes made in ReTranslate improve the new translations but do not overwrite YouTube's automatic captions.
Confirm Subtitle Details
Review the subtitle details before continuing.
Channel
Coastal Science Bureau
Subtitle content
How Coastal Wetlands Protect Our Cities
English · Published · 86 subtitle entries
00:00:18,240 → 00:00:22,880
Coastal wetlands slow incoming water before it reaches homes and roads.
2. Correct the source subtitle text
In Confirm Subtitle Details, check the subtitle language and source content. Fix transcription errors that would change the meaning of every translated version.
- Names of people, organizations, products, and places
- Numbers, dates, measurements, and abbreviations
- Missing punctuation that changes sentence meaning
- Technical words that YouTube interpreted as similar sounds
3. Add context when a term needs guidance
The subtitle editor includes an optional Context field. Use it for information that helps the model interpret short or specialized lines, such as the video topic, an official product name, an abbreviation, or terminology that must stay unchanged.
Keep the instruction concrete. For example: “Public education video about coastal wetlands. Keep Coastal Science Bureau unchanged.”
4. Select the target subtitle languages
Choose every language you want to translate and upload. All selected languages use the same corrected source subtitle, so you do not need to repeat the video import or source corrections for each language.
Select Subtitle Languages
Select languages for your translated captions.
5. Translate with your chosen AI models
ReTranslate offers multiple AI models, including OpenAI's GPT-5.6 Luna. Choose a model for each language, translate all selected languages, and generate an alternative result when a line needs a different interpretation.
The English source remains visible beside each translated subtitle. You can edit an individual translated line without rebuilding the rest of the language batch, then copy or download the subtitles when needed.
Coastal wetlands slow incoming water before it reaches homes and roads.
Their roots hold sediment in place during storms.
A healthy marsh can reduce wave energy across the shoreline.
Los humedales costeros frenan el agua antes de que llegue a viviendas y carreteras.
Sus raíces mantienen los sedimentos en su lugar durante las tormentas.
Una marisma sana puede reducir la energía de las olas en toda la costa.
6. Upload the translated subtitles
When the selected languages are ready, use Upload to YouTube to send them together. ReTranslate keeps upload separate from translation, so generating a result does not publish it automatically.
After the upload succeeds, open the video in YouTube and confirm that the new subtitle languages are available.
Subtitle translation checklist
- The correct video and source subtitle language were selected.
- Known automatic-caption errors were corrected in the source text.
- Names, numbers, and important terminology are accurate.
- Context instructions explain any unusual or protected terms.
- The required target languages and AI models are selected.
- Only the translated subtitle languages you want are uploaded.
ReTranslate keeps source correction, multilingual translation, model selection, editing, and YouTube upload in one subtitle workflow.
