Watch Mandarin Content with Live English Subtitles
You open Netflix to a Mandarin drama you've been wanting to watch, but the default English subtitles are locked to a specific file quality or missing entirely. Seagull captures the audio directly from your screen and displays live English subtitles in a floating overlay, letting you watch any Mandarin content on your own terms.
The Challenge of Streaming Mandarin Without the Right Subtitles
Many streaming platforms like Netflix, YouTube, and iQIYI offer Mandarin content, but subtitle availability varies wildly by region and show. Sometimes the only option is auto-generated captions that miss cultural context, mispronounce names, or drop entire phrases. Other times you're forced to choose between Mandarin audio with no subs or dubbed versions that strip the original performance.
Downloading third-party subtitle files introduces lag, sync drift, and the constant hassle of hunting for the right .srt match for each video. You end up pausing to read, rewinding to catch what you missed, or reluctantly switching to a dubbed version. The friction pulls you out of the story.
How Seagull Delivers Live English Subtitles to Any Window
Seagull runs on your desktop and captures system audio from any app in real-time, no plugins or browser extensions needed. Whether you're watching Mandarin YouTube videos, streaming films on Netflix, or browsing iQIYI, Seagull listens to the audio and instantly translates it into a floating subtitle overlay that stays on top of your window. The captions follow the speech with minimal latency, keeping pace with natural dialogue.
You keep the original Mandarin audio intact and add English subtitles on top, preserving the voice actors' performances and tone. The overlay is adjustable in size and position, so you control exactly where the subtitles sit on your screen. Works on Mac, Windows, and Linux, so your setup doesn't change.
Building a Mandarin Learning Habit Without Friction
Live subtitles lower the barrier to watching Mandarin content regularly. Instead of hunting for perfectly matched subtitle files or accepting low-quality auto-captions, you launch Seagull once and watch anything you want with reliable English text. This consistency makes it easier to build a routine: watch one episode during lunch, another before bed, without the setup overhead killing your momentum.
Over time, seeing Mandarin spoken and reading English translations reinforces vocabulary and listening skills in context. Mandarin dramas, comedy specials, and documentary channels on YouTube become genuinely watchable, not a frustrating exercise. You're learning by enjoying content you actually want to see, not grinding through language-learning material.
How to Get Started
Available for Mac, Windows, and Linux. The app installs in seconds and requires no configuration.
Choose the language being spoken and the language you want to see. Seagull supports 40+ languages out of the box.
Seagull will transcribe and translate audio from any app in real time. Captions appear in a small overlay on your screen.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Seagull work with all streaming platforms that have Mandarin content?
Yes. Seagull captures system audio directly from your desktop, so it works with Netflix, YouTube, iQIYI, Disney Plus, and any other app or website you can watch on your computer. No plugins or app-specific setup required.
Can I adjust the subtitle timing or size?
The floating overlay is fully adjustable in size and position. You can move it anywhere on screen and resize it to fit your preference. Seagull translates and displays in real-time with low latency, so timing stays synchronized with the audio.
What if the platform already has built-in English subtitles that I want to use instead?
You can choose either option. Use Seagull if platform subtitles are missing, inaccurate, or locked to a certain quality. If the built-in option is good enough, you don't need Seagull running. The choice is yours depending on the content and platform.
Available for Mac, Windows, and Linux. 1 hour free trial included.