How-to
How to translate ASS / SSA subtitles
Last updated: 2026-06-11
To translate an .ass or .ssa subtitle file without losing styling: upload it, pick the target language, and download. Only the Text of each Dialogue event is translated — override tags such as {\an8} and {\i1}, the [V4+ Styles] section, fonts, positioning, and the H:MM:SS.cc timecodes are all preserved. The result opens cleanly in Aegisub, mpv, or VLC, in sync with the video.
ASS is the format anime fansubs and immersion-learning files use, and most online translators either reject it or flatten it to plain text. SubLingo keeps the structure intact and can optionally produce a bilingual file with the original and translation stacked together.
Drop your subtitle file here, or click to browse
Supports .srt, .vtt, and .ass / .ssa
The four steps
- 01
Upload the .ass or .ssa file
Drop in your Advanced SubStation Alpha file — for example a Japanese track from Kitsunekko. SubLingo reads only the Dialogue events; the [Script Info], [V4+ Styles], fonts, and positioning are left untouched.
- 02
Pick the target language
Choose the language to translate into. Override tags like {\an8}, {\i1}, and color codes inside each line are masked before translation and restored after, so styling is never sent to the model or broken.
- 03
Optional: turn on Bilingual
Enable Bilingual to keep the original line and the translation stacked in the same event — useful for immersion learning. The \N line break and timing stay correct.
- 04
Translate and download the .ass
Run it and download. Every Dialogue keeps its layer, style name, margins, effect, and exact H:MM:SS.cc timecode — only the spoken text is translated, so it drops straight back into Aegisub or any player.
What is kept and what changes
A correct ASS translation touches one thing per event: the dialogue text. Everything that controls how the line looks and when it appears is preserved.
| Part of the file | During translation |
|---|---|
| [Script Info] / [V4+ Styles] | Unchanged |
| Event timecodes (H:MM:SS.cc) | Unchanged |
| Layer, Style, Name, Margins, Effect | Unchanged |
| Override tags {\...} and \\N breaks | Masked, then restored |
| Dialogue text | Translated |
For anime and immersion learners
If you study a language with native content, you can download a target-language .ass and add your own language as a second line, then watch in mpv or Plex. Pair this with bilingual output for a dual-language track, or read the ASS / SSA format guide to understand the structure. Common pick: Japanese to English.
Key facts
- Only the Dialogue Text is translated; styles and timing stay intact.
- Override tags like {\an8} are masked before translation and restored after.
- H:MM:SS.cc timecodes are preserved exactly.
- Reads both .ass and .ssa; downloads a valid .ass.
- Optional bilingual output stacks original + translation in one event.
- Free, no signup, 100+ target languages.
Definitions
- ASS (Advanced SubStation Alpha)
- A subtitle format with rich styling, positioning, and karaoke support — standard for anime fansubs.
- Dialogue event
- A line in the
[Events]section holding the timing, style reference, and the spoken Text. - Override tag
- An inline code in braces like
{\an8}or{\i1}that styles or positions part of a line. - [V4+ Styles]
- The section defining named styles (font, size, color); preserved untouched during translation.
- \N
- A forced line break inside an event; kept so multi-line and bilingual layouts render correctly.
- Centisecond timecode
- ASS times use
H:MM:SS.cc(hundredths of a second); preserved exactly.
Related guides
FAQ
Can I translate an ASS subtitle file without losing the styling?+
Yes. SubLingo translates only the Text field of each Dialogue event. Override tags such as {\an8}, {\i1}, {\b1}, and color/position codes are masked before the text is translated and put back afterward, and the [V4+ Styles] section is never touched. Layers, style names, margins, effects, and timecodes all stay exactly as they were.
Does it keep the H:MM:SS.cc timecodes?+
Yes. The Start and End of every event are preserved byte-for-byte, so the translated .ass stays perfectly in sync. Only the dialogue text changes.
Where do I get .ass subtitle files to translate?+
Anime and immersion-learning communities share .ass tracks on sites like Kitsunekko and SubDL. If you have a target-language .ass but no translation, this is exactly the case SubLingo handles — upload it and add a second language.
Can I make a bilingual ASS file for language learning?+
Yes. Turn on the Bilingual option and SubLingo stacks the original line and the translation in the same event using an \N break, so both show under one timecode. It plays in mpv, VLC, and other desktop players that immersion learners use.
What is the difference between ASS and SSA?+
SSA (SubStation Alpha) is the older format; ASS (Advanced SubStation Alpha, the v4.00+ revision) adds more styling and positioning controls. SubLingo reads both — upload a .ssa or .ass and it parses the Dialogue events the same way.
Should I convert ASS to SRT before translating?+
Only if you do not need the styling. Converting to SRT drops the typesetting, fonts, and positioning that anime files rely on. If you want to keep them, translate the .ass directly and download a .ass. If you only need plain text, you can translate and export simpler formats instead.
Is it free and private?+
Yes — free with no signup. The file is parsed in your browser and only the cue text is sent for translation, never your styles or file structure.