• Captionz Reintroduced: Dual Subtitles on YouTube (Now with Auto‑Translate)

    Hello folks. I hope you are gonna have a fantastic weekend ahead, as I am bringing you a big update for Captionz! I’m launching Captionz‑ext, an ultra-lightweight browser extension that finally makes dual subtitles on YouTube practical. Thanks to auto‑translate, you can pair almost any language, do quick A‑B repeats, and add community notes, all while you watch.

    As you know, dual subtitles have always been my goal. Finally they’re realistic for most videos, which means our second subtitle can finally show up 🙂
    And the best part: Captionz is completely free. I first thought I’d need AI to translate captions (which would cost money), but YouTube already provides auto‑translate. I just enhance the experience and bring both subtitles together.

    Promo Banner

    Why This Is a Milestone

    My goal is to help you learn from real videos, like movies, interviews, lectures, and news etc. without losing your flow. I built Captionz‑ext to make dual subtitles practical on most YouTube videos by adding auto‑translate when only one track exists. It also syncs with the Captionz web app for tools like A‑B repeat, notes, and search. Simple setup, more learning.

    Free — No Fees

    Early on, I planned to use AI to translate captions, which would have meant a paid “pro” plan. Thankfully, YouTube already has auto‑translate. Captionz‑ext simply connects the dots so you can see two subtitles at once. Enjoy Captionz completely free.

    What’s New Auto‑translate: Turn it on to cover almost any language. If a video has only one caption track, auto‑translate adds the second. Dual subtitles: My core goal, now practical on most videos. See two languages at once. One‑click access: I added a “Watch on Captionz” button on YouTube video pages. Context menu: I added a right‑click menu to open any YouTube link in Captionz. Sync with Captionz: Captions flow into Captionz, so A‑B repeat, notes, and Dictionariez work right away.

    Screenshot 2026-01-16 205251.png

    How It Works

    I built Captionz‑ext to read the captions (and auto‑translated ones) on YouTube, then sync them with the Captionz web app. Many videos only include one auto‑generated track, auto‑translate provides the second. Pick your two languages and watch them side by side. No complicated setup, no secret switches.

    A Brief History

    Five years ago, I launched the first version of Captionz. My debut post on Reddit was a hit: “I made a site that helps you watch YouTube with dual subtitles”.

    Back then, I didn’t need an extension. YouTube captions were public; you could request and download tracks, and Captionz could combine languages freely.

    Later, YouTube restricted external caption requests. To keep things working, I added a handy button in Dictionariez so users could still open videos on Captionz with dual subtitles — at least for videos that had multiple tracks by default.

    A few months ago, YouTube encrypted caption requests, which made access harder. I switched to a simple, privacy‑friendly approach with a lightweight extension and separated Captionz from Dictionariez. That keeps Dictionariez focused and gives Captionz users a stronger, dedicated tool.

    And yes: I made Captionz‑ext free and open‑source. High‑fives all around.

    Who It’s For Learners: Compare native + target language subtitles in real time to build comprehension and confidence. Teachers & Tutors: Use any YouTube video for bilingual instruction with A‑B looping and notes. Polyglots: Switch language pairs and auto‑translate to explore content across the world. Casual Viewers: Understand more, faster—without pausing to look things up. Quick Start Chrome: Install from the Chrome Web Store. Edge: Install from Microsoft Edge Add‑ons. Firefox: Firefox Add‑ons.

    Open any YouTube video and click “Watch on Captionz.” Or right‑click a video link and choose “Open in Captionz.” Pick your two languages, turn on auto‑translate if needed, and you’re set. Your coffee can stay hot; setup is quick.

    Manual Installation (Alternative) Download the source code from GitHub. Go to chrome://extensions/ in your browser. Enable Developer mode (top right). Click Load unpacked and select the extension folder. Privacy

    I aim for minimal, respectful integration. Captionz‑ext only accesses captions needed to enable features and does not collect personal browsing history. Read the privacy policy for details and updates.

    FAQs Do dual subtitles work on all videos? It depends on captions. Many videos have only one auto‑generated track; turn on auto‑translate to add the second language. Which languages are supported? Auto‑translate covers most languages YouTube supports. Dual subtitles work when two tracks exist or one is auto‑translated. Do I need the Captionz web app? The extension helps on YouTube and pairs with Captionz for A‑B repeat, notes, and more. Together is best. Does this work on Shorts? Not at the moment. Do you really want it to work on Shorts? Comment below to let me know. Is it free? Yes — and there are no AI translation fees. Auto‑translate is provided by YouTube; Captionz just enhances the experience. Call to Action

    Install Captionz‑ext (it’s free) and try dual subtitles on your next video:

    Chrome: Captionz – YouTube Dual Subtitles Edge: Captionz – YouTube Dual Subtitles Firefox: Captionz – YouTube Dual Subtitles.

    Open a video you love, turn on auto‑translate to widen language coverage, and use A‑B repeat to nail tricky lines. Add a note or two to help the next learner (or future you).

    TL;DR

    Captionz + Captionz‑ext = dual subtitles on YouTube—made practical by auto‑translate—plus A‑B repeat and notes, across almost all languages. It’s completely free. Click “Watch on Captionz” and start learning faster. Smiles optional, progress guaranteed.

  • Dutch, Greek, Hindi, Persian and much more, Dictionariez V7.1.0

    Hello everyone,

    Just a few days after the major release of v7.0, I am back with another update! Dictionariez v7.1.0 is now available, and it is all about breaking language barriers.

    🌍 4 New Languages Supported

    I heard your feedback loud and clear. You wanted more languages, and I am delivering. This version adds native support for 4 new languages:

    🇳🇱 Dutch 🇬🇷 Greek 🇮🇳 Hindi 🇮🇷 Persian (Farsi)

    This means you can now double-click words in these languages to get instant definitions, pronunciations, and translations. For Persian, I have ensured full Right-to-Left (RTL) support for a seamless reading experience.

    🎯 Smarter English Lookup

    English is a language that loves to borrow words. Words like café, détente, naïve, or jalapeño are common in English texts but often tripped up the dictionary because of their accents.

    In v7.1, I have improved the detection engine. Dictionariez now smartly recognizes these accented words as English when you are reading in an English context, ensuring you get the correct definition without switching languages manually.

    📚 Better Definitions for Polyglots

    For learners of German, Spanish, Italian, Japanese, and French, I have tweaked the engine to prioritize Wiktionary results. Previously, Google Dictionary provided definitions in the target language (e.g., German definitions for German words), which could be challenging for beginners. Wiktionary results often include definitions in English, making it much easier to understand the meaning while you are still mastering the language. Don't worry though, if Wiktionary comes up empty, it seamlessly falls back to Google Dictionary to ensure you always get a result.

    🛠️ Robust & Reliable

    I have also added a suite of new automated tests to ensure these new features work perfectly and don't break existing ones. This makes Dictionariez more stable and reliable than ever.

    It's now already available on Firefox, and needs a few more days for review on Chrome webstore and Edge addons. Stay tuned!
    Update to v7.1.0 asap and keep exploring the world of languages!

    Happy Learning,
    River

  • You Asked, I Listened: PDF Support is Finally Here in Dictionariez!

    Hi everyone! If you’ve been using Dictionariez, you probably know that I’ve been working on this project as a solo developer for quite some time now. Over the years, one of the most requested features has been PDF support. Many of you have reached out, asking for a way to use Dictionariez with PDFs—whether for reading eBooks, studying papers, or reviewing work documents.

    I’m excited to share that the wait is finally over! I’ve built a PDF Reader Web Application that works seamlessly with Dictionariez. It’s lightweight, secure, and designed to make your reading experience as smooth as possible. And for language learners, this is a productive tool—especially if you’re studying books, academic papers, or other materials in PDF format.

    What’s New?

    Here’s what the new PDF Reader Web Application brings to the table:

    Dictionariez Integration
    Highlight words or phrases in your PDF and instantly look them up or translate them using Dictionariez. It works just like it does on web pages.

    Drag-and-Drop Simplicity
    You can drag and drop your PDF files into the app, and they’ll load instantly. No extra steps, no hassle.

    Privacy First
    Your files never leave your browser. Everything is processed locally, so you don’t have to worry about your data being uploaded to a server.

    Integration with PNL Reader
    If you’re already using PNL Reader, my browser extension that enhances the reading experience on any webpage, you’ll love this integration. When you open a PDF directly in your browser, you can click on the PNL Reader extension, and it will automatically redirect the PDF to the PDF Reader Web Application. This makes opening PDFs locally a more seamless experience.

    Responsive Design
    Whether you’re on a desktop, tablet, or phone, the app adapts to give you the best experience.

    Advanced PDF Viewer
    Powered by ngx-extended-pdf-viewer and PDF.js, the app supports zooming, text selection, and even searching within your PDFs.

    Why This is Perfect for Language Learners

    If you’re learning a new language, reading is one of the best ways to improve your vocabulary, grammar, and comprehension. But let’s face it—reading in a foreign language can be tough, especially when you’re constantly looking up words. That’s where this new feature shines.

    Here’s why the PDF Reader Web Application is especially helpful for language learners:

    Study Authentic Materials
    Many language learners rely on textbooks or graded readers, but real-world materials like novels, academic papers, or even manuals are often in PDF format. Now, you can read these materials while using Dictionariez to look up unfamiliar words instantly.

    Build Vocabulary Faster
    Highlighting and translating words directly in the PDF saves time and keeps you focused. You can even create flashcards or notes from the words you look up.

    Learn in Context
    Seeing words in their natural context (like in a book or article) helps you understand how they’re used in sentences, making it easier to remember them.

    Perfect for Students
    If you’re a student studying in a foreign language, you probably deal with a lot of PDFs—textbooks, research papers, lecture notes, and more. This tool makes it easier to navigate those materials without constantly switching between apps.

    Immersive Learning
    By reading full texts in your target language, you’re immersing yourself in the language, which is one of the most effective ways to learn.

    Language Learning Tips for Using the PDF Reader

    Here are a few tips to get the most out of the PDF Reader Web Application as a language learner:

    Start with Materials at Your Level
    Choose PDFs that are slightly above your current level. This way, you’ll encounter new words without feeling overwhelmed.

    Create a Vocabulary List
    Use Dictionariez to look up unfamiliar words and write them down in a notebook or app. Review them regularly to reinforce your learning.

    Focus on Context
    Instead of translating every word, try to understand the meaning of sentences based on context. Use Dictionariez only for words or phrases that are critical to understanding the text.

    Revisit Texts
    After reading a PDF once, come back to it later. You’ll be surprised at how much more you understand the second time around.

    Combine with Other Tools
    Use the words you’ve learned in flashcard apps like Anki to reinforce your memory.

    Set Goals
    For example, aim to read one chapter of a book or one article per week. Setting small, achievable goals will keep you motivated.

    How It Works

    Using the PDF Reader Web Application is super straightforward:

    Upload Your PDF
    Drag and drop your file into the app, or click to select it from your device.

    Start Reading
    The PDF loads instantly, and you can scroll, zoom, and search through it.

    Use Dictionariez
    Highlight any word or phrase in the PDF to look it up or translate it, just like you would on a webpage.

    Redirect PDFs with PNL Reader
    If you open a PDF directly in your browser, just click on the PNL Reader extension, and it will redirect the PDF to the PDF Reader Web Application. No need to download the file or manually open the app—it’s all handled seamlessly.

    Stay Secure
    All file processing happens locally in your browser. Your data stays with you—always.

    Why It Took Time

    As a solo developer, I’ve always tried to prioritize features that matter most to you, the users. Adding PDF support wasn’t just about displaying files—it was about making sure the experience was smooth, secure, and worked seamlessly with Dictionariez and PNL Reader.

    I wanted to get it right, and that meant taking the time to ensure:

    Privacy: No file uploads, no servers—just local processing in your browser. Performance: Fast and responsive, even with large PDF files. Integration: A seamless experience with Dictionariez and PNL Reader, so you can use the tools you love without interruption. What’s Next?

    This is just the beginning! Here are a few features I’m planning to add in the future:

    Annotations: Highlight text, add notes, and mark up your PDFs. Bookmarks: Save your place in long documents for easy navigation. Dark Mode: A more comfortable reading experience for night-time use. Try It Out

    The PDF Reader Web Application is live and ready for you to use. Click here to check it out! Whether you’re a student, a professional, or just someone who loves reading, this tool is here to make your life easier.

    Wrapping Up

    As a solo developer, every feature I build is a labor of love, and this one is no exception. I’ve poured a lot of time and effort into making PDF support a reality because I know how much it means to so many of you.

    If you’ve been waiting for this feature, give it a try and let me know what you think! Your feedback is what keeps me going, and I’d love to hear your thoughts on how I can make it even better.

    Thank you for supporting Dictionariez and for being part of this journey. I’m excited to see how you’ll use the new PDF feature!

    Spread the Word

    If you love the new PDF feature, share it with your friends and colleagues. Every bit of support helps me continue improving Dictionariez for all of you.

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