ADVERTISEMENT

Like Ariana Grande has shown, nobody is safe when it comes to inking yourself with foreign languages. Not even high-profile celebrities. Using Japanese Kanji symbols, the performer intended for the design to read "7 Rings" but it ended up saying "small charcoal grill" or "BBQ".

Turns out, these mistakes are relatively common. Whether it's because the client can't be bothered with actual research or a slip of the tattoo artist's hand, there are pictures of people "wearing" designs in honor of toilet demons and sexual fantasies. And Bored Panda has collected the funniest ones. So scroll down, enjoy the images, and upvote your faves.

#1

Well That’s Just Unfortunate…

Well That’s Just Unfortunate…

hanzismatte Report

Tattoo artist Lauren Harper said although she can't speak for everyone in the industry, judging from what she sees online, these designs seem pretty popular.

"I would have to say that, unfortunately, the client is probably responsible if these tattoos go wrong," Harper told Bored Panda. "They sign a waiver agreeing to the spelling of the tattoo and if the artist doesn't speak the language they're requesting, it's definitely on them to make sure it's correct."

#2

Why Human Translation Is Valuable

Why Human Translation Is Valuable

This one has been making the rounds. Apparently, this young lady wanted to surprise her boyfriend with a tattoo that reads “I love you”. Instead, it reads “Babylon is one of the world’s leading dictionary and translation programs”

Report

As with any tattoo, Harper suggests people do their research before sitting down to get a foreign language one. "Hopefully, they might know someone who speaks or writes the language they'd like tattooed so they can confirm, if not, there's always the Internet to turn to! Forums, Google translate. Although these avenues definitely come with their own set of risks that clients are hopefully aware of," she said, smiling.

ADVERTISEMENT

Kevin Blankinship, a professor of Arabic at Brigham Young University, regularly gets requests to verify tattoos or to admire the ones people already have. He doesn't think proper grammar is the most important thing when it comes to inking yourself. "Laughing at tattoo 'fails' has become a favorite pastime of academic linguists and internet trolls," Blankinship said after recalling one mishap. "For them, blunders of spelling and meaning betray a vapid, commodified globalism that forever marks the victims. But for thousands of people—including my yoga teacher—getting a foreign script etched onto the skin is part of a universal search for significance and sentimental attachment. People risk embarrassment because foreign-language tattoos give them a permanent invitation to contemplate cultures and ideas beyond their own."

According to the professor, that effort can still succeed even if the tattoos have errors.

#3

I Meeeeeean…

I Meeeeeean…

hanzismatte Report

#4

Funny-Language-Tattoo-Fail

Funny-Language-Tattoo-Fail

hanzismatte Report

ADVERTISEMENT
#5

Much Appreciated

Much Appreciated

This is a particularly cruel prank. What this actually says is “ana mu’affan”, “I am rotten”.

Report

#6

They Certainly Were “Taken Advantage Of”

They Certainly Were “Taken Advantage Of”

hanzismatte Report

#7

Funny-Language-Tattoo-Fail

Funny-Language-Tattoo-Fail

hanzismatte Report

#8

Her Tattoo Says "Fresh Spring Rolls" In Thai

Her Tattoo Says "Fresh Spring Rolls" In Thai

bolthead88 Report

ADVERTISEMENT
#9

“A Queef Perhaps”, Indeed

“A Queef Perhaps”, Indeed

hanzismatte Report

#10

Never Use A Hungry Tattoo Artist…

Never Use A Hungry Tattoo Artist…

altonwang Report

#11

Chinese Tattoos Gone Wrong

Chinese Tattoos Gone Wrong

reddit.com Report

#12

Shout Out To This Mexican Tattoo Artist

Shout Out To This Mexican Tattoo Artist

hanzismatte Report

ADVERTISEMENT
#13

Funny-Language-Tattoo-Fail

Funny-Language-Tattoo-Fail

hanzismatte Report

#14

Funny-Language-Tattoo-Fail

Funny-Language-Tattoo-Fail

Ryan__Hyman Report

Add photo comments
POST
Eagle Girl
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'd add wings, using the characters as the body, transform it into a butterfly

Daria B
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So.... basically.... rotten butter? (When it's so bad it attracts flies)

Krásnoočko Zelené
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

also, why is it rotated 90 degrees? this way it reads from bottom to top?!

H Edwards
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's why you don't do literal translations, always consult a native speaker or ten

Potato the potato
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Just found out that "butterfly" in Hebrew can also be translated as "ladies man", "bow tie" or "Don Juan", among other things. :/

Peter Kovak
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If you change the order of the words, that is "חמאה זבוב", you'll have "butter" + "fly" = butterfly, just a word game that works in English, but has no meaning in Hebrew.

Blue
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yep, people are Morons who gets tattoos in a different language.What the F are you trying to prove. You look like idiots

Loki’s Lil Butter Knife
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

She got a literal translation (word from word translation not taking context into account) of the term butterfly. Her tattoo is horribly incorrect as that is consists of the term for butter in Hebrew and the separate term for fly in Hebrew. To a native speaker of Hebrew, her tattoo would not read butterfly, but rather "butter" (the delicious stuff you spread on toast) + "fly" (the disgusting little insect that emits a high-pitched buzz).

Load More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#15

Today I Learned That My Friends Chinese Tattoo Literally Means "Turkey Sandwich"

Today I Learned That My Friends Chinese Tattoo Literally Means "Turkey Sandwich"

4 years ago Report

#16

Maybe She’s Into Grilling…

Maybe She’s Into Grilling…

hanzismatte Report

#17

Funny-Language-Tattoo-Fail

Funny-Language-Tattoo-Fail

hanzismatte Report

#18

Heavily Smitten, I Guess?

Heavily Smitten, I Guess?

hanzismatte Report

#19

Supportive Spouse

Supportive Spouse

This one reads “husband head empty”.

Report

#20

This Person Will Never Need To Struggle Ordering In A Chinese Restaurant Again

This Person Will Never Need To Struggle Ordering In A Chinese Restaurant Again

Report

ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#21

Funny-Language-Tattoo-Fail

Funny-Language-Tattoo-Fail

hanzismatte Report

#22

It Like Literally Says This Is Tattoo Hahaha

It Like Literally Says This Is Tattoo Hahaha

fail_tattoos_kek Report

#23

Funny-Language-Tattoo-Fail

Funny-Language-Tattoo-Fail

hanzismatte Report

#24

Boastful Rice Village (He Thought It Was His Daughter's Name)

Boastful Rice Village (He Thought It Was His Daughter's Name)

fail_tattoos_kek Report

#25

Funny-Language-Tattoo-Fail

Funny-Language-Tattoo-Fail

hanzismatte Report

#26

Funny-Language-Tattoo-Fail

Funny-Language-Tattoo-Fail

hanzismatte Report

#27

Funny-Language-Tattoo-Fail

Funny-Language-Tattoo-Fail

hanzismatte Report

#28

Carbs Are Important

Carbs Are Important

So, supposedly this was supposed to be Qi, a primal force of life in eastern philosophy. What it says is “rice”. How did that happen? If we were to guess, it’s because in traditional Chinese, the lower component of the Qi character 氣 is similar (but not identical) to rice 米

Report

ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#29

Funny-Language-Tattoo-Fail

Funny-Language-Tattoo-Fail

hanzismatte Report

#30

Ooh, Yolanda Sounds Like A Freak

Ooh, Yolanda Sounds Like A Freak

hanzismatte Report

#31

Funny-Language-Tattoo-Fail

Funny-Language-Tattoo-Fail

hanzismatte Report

#32

Funny-Language-Tattoo-Fail

Funny-Language-Tattoo-Fail

imgur.com Report

#33

Funny-Language-Tattoo-Fail

Funny-Language-Tattoo-Fail

hanzismatte Report

#34

Protip: When Getting A Tattoo In Another Language, Make Sure It's Not Upside Down.

Protip: When Getting A Tattoo In Another Language, Make Sure It's Not Upside Down.

fail_tattoos_kek Report