subtitle
/ˈsʌbtaɪtl/ (bre, ipa) · [sˈʌbtˌaɪtəl] /ˈsʌbtaɪtl/ (ame, ipa) · [sˈʌbtˌaɪtəl] /ˈsəb-ˌtī-tᵊl How to pronounce subtitle (audio)/ (ame, mw) · /ˈsʌbˌtaɪ.təl/ (bre, ipa) · [sˈʌbtˌaɪtəl] /ˈsʌbˌtaɪ.t̬əl/ (ame, ipa)
subtitle — noun
- subtitlesingular
- subtitlesplural
1. the on-screen written version of a programme's spoken words, placed across the l
the on-screen written version of a programme's spoken words, placed across the lower display area so the audience can read the original speech or a foreign-language translation.
Mayumi watched the Korean drama with English subtitles to help her learn the language.
watch with [language] subtitles
The cinema offers screenings with subtitles for people who are deaf or hard of hearing.
subtitles for hearing-impaired viewers
Ilan prefers foreign films with subtitles because he enjoys hearing the original actors' voices.
Felix paused the show and re-read the subtitles to catch a line he had missed.
Some streaming services let users change the font size and colour of the subtitles.
- caption
a broader term that can also describe text under a photo or sound descriptions for the deaf
- closed caption
specifically the text track that viewers can turn on or off, which also includes non-speech sounds
- dub
the practice of replacing the original speech with a new voice recording rather than adding written text
- audio description
a spoken commentary describing visual elements, the opposite of written text on screen
文法句型
subtitles + in [language]
with + subtitles
subtitles + for [programme/film]
用法筆記
Almost always used in the plural form 'subtitles' even when referring to the feature in general. Distinguish from 'closed captions' (CC), which also describe non-dialogue sounds such as '[door creaks]' or '[phone rings]'.
常見錯誤
2. an extra piece of text placed directly below a book's main title that tells the
an extra piece of text placed directly below a book's main title that tells the reader more about its subject or purpose.
The book was called 'The Silk Road' with the subtitle 'A Journey Through Central Asia.'
subtitle after main title, separated by comma
Ayana chose the subtitle 'Stories from the Amazon' for her new collection of travel essays.
Ravindra read the subtitle carefully before deciding whether to buy the textbook.
The publisher asked each author to add a subtitle saying who the book was for.
- subheading
often used for a section within a chapter rather than the book's full secondary title
- secondary title
more formal, less common than 'subtitle'
- main title
the primary name of the book that appears above the subtitle
文法句型
subtitle + of/below + [main title]
用法筆記
Common in publishing and academia. The subtitle usually appears in smaller or lighter type below the main title on the cover and title page.
常見錯誤
subtitle — verb
- subtitlepresent simple I / you / we / they
- subtitles3rd person singular
- subtitling-ing form
- subtitledpast simple
1. to place written words onto a movie or TV programme so that any spoken dialogue
to place written words onto a movie or TV programme so that any spoken dialogue is displayed for viewers who need a translation or cannot hear the soundtrack.
The production company hired a translator to subtitle the documentary in four languages.
subtitle [film] in [language]
Zola spent the summer subtitling short films for an online festival.
The director decided to subtitle the movie rather than dub it into other languages.
All videos on the training platform are subtitled so that non-native speakers can follow them.
Justin learned how to subtitle short clips using free editing software on his laptop.
- caption
more general; can include text for photographs or sound-description for the deaf
- dub
to replace the original dialogue with a new voice recording instead of adding text
文法句型
subtitle + [film/programme]
be subtitled + in [language]
用法筆記
Frequently used in the passive voice ('the film was subtitled') when describing the finished work rather than the act of creating subtitles.
常見錯誤
2. to give a book an additional title that appears below the main title and explain
to give a book an additional title that appears below the main title and explains the book's topic or approach more precisely.
The author subtitled her cookbook 'Simple Recipes for Busy Families' to attract tired parents.
subtitle + [book] + [title phrase]
Henrik's history book is subtitled 'The Untold Story of the Baltic Region.'
passive: be subtitled [title]
The editor suggested subtitling the novel so readers would know it belongs to a trilogy.
Joaquín subtitled his photography collection 'Images of Patagonia' to show the geographic focus.
文法句型
subtitle + [book] + [phrase]
be subtitled + [secondary title]
用法筆記
Less common than the noun form. Usually appears in publishing contexts; the direct object is the book or work, and the subtitle itself is quoted.