Video content is one of the most engaging ways to communicate information, but translating videos into different languages has traditionally been a time-consuming and expensive process. Thankfully, with OpenAI’s ChatGPT, you can now streamline this workflow, translating videos faster and more efficiently than ever. Whether you’re a content creator, marketer, educator, or business owner, ChatGPT can help you break language barriers with minimal effort.
In this post, I’ll walk you through how to use ChatGPT to translate videos step by step, maximising your efficiency while maintaining quality.
Why Use ChatGPT for Video Translation?
Traditional video translation involves multiple steps: transcription, translation, and voice-over or subtitle creation. Each of these steps requires different tools and expertise, often leading to delays and high costs.
With ChatGPT, you can:
Save time by automating transcription and translation
Reduce costs by eliminating the need for expensive translation services
Increase accessibility by quickly making content available in multiple languages
Enhance global reach by catering to international audiences
Now, let’s break down the process step by step.
Step 1: Transcribe the Video
Before translating, you need a transcript of the video’s audio. You can use AI-powered transcription tools like:
- Whisper by OpenAI (free and accurate)
- Otter.ai
- Descript
- Sonix.ai
If you use Whisper, you can run the transcription on your computer with:
whisper yourvideo.mp4 –model large –language auto
This will generate a transcript of your video in its original language.
Alternatively, if the video is hosted on YouTube, you can download the auto-generated captions by clicking the three dots below the video, selecting Show Transcript, and copying the text.
Step 2: Translate the Transcript with ChatGPT
Once you have the transcript, you can use ChatGPT to translate it. Open ChatGPT and paste the text with a prompt like:
“Translate this transcript from [Original Language] to [Target Language] while keeping the meaning natural and conversational.”
If the content includes industry-specific terms, you can refine the prompt:
“Translate this transcript from English to Spanish while maintaining professional tone and accuracy for a medical audience.”
ChatGPT will instantly generate a translated version, which you can review and refine as needed.
Step 3: Generate Subtitles
Now that you have the translated text, the next step is formatting it as subtitles. You can use ChatGPT to convert the text into SRT format (SubRip Subtitle) by pasting:
“Convert this translated text into an SRT subtitle file with proper timestamps. Assume the original speech timing is preserved.”
Alternatively, tools like Aegisub or Kapwing allow you to easily sync the subtitles with your video.
For automatic syncing, Descript and VEED.io let you upload both the transcript and the video to generate subtitles automatically.
Step 4: Add Voice-Over (Optional)
If you prefer a dubbed version rather than subtitles, you can use AI voice-over tools like:
ElevenLabs – High-quality AI voice generation
Amazon Polly – Text-to-speech with multiple languages
Play.ht – Realistic AI voices
Simply paste the translated script into one of these tools, generate the audio file, and sync it with your video using a video editor like Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro, or DaVinci Resolve.
The Result: A Fully Translated Video in Minutes
By leveraging AI, you can translate videos 10x faster than manual methods while maintaining quality. Whether you’re localising content for international audiences, expanding your business globally, or making educational materials more accessible, ChatGPT simplifies the process.
Alright, I said minutes, but let’s be honest—nothing ever works that magically on the first go. It all comes down to how well you handle the tools, and like anything else, that takes practice. You’ve probably seen those online services boasting “Build your website in minutes!”—yeah, don’t fall for that. Unless those minutes include existential crises, endless tweaking, and a mild urge to throw your laptop out the window.
That said, these AI-powered methods do slash the time and effort it takes to translate videos. You won’t need a linguistics degree or a Hollywood-sized budget, and most importantly, you’ll avoid the migraine-inducing tedium of manual translation. So, while instant might be a stretch, you’ll still get your video translated way faster and with far less hassle—and that’s a win in my book.
Bonus Tips to Save Even More Time
Use batch processing with Whisper to transcribe multiple videos at once.
Train ChatGPT with examples of your industry-specific vocabulary for more accurate translations.
Use AI-powered subtitle generators to skip the manual syncing process.
Ready to Scale Your Video Translations?
If you’re looking for a fast, cost-effective way to translate videos, integrating ChatGPT into your workflow is a game-changer. Try it today and start reaching a global audience effortlessly!
Would you like help setting up an automated workflow for your business? Let’s chat!
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