If you’re running a business in a tourist-heavy country, having signage in English is a smart move. However, your smarts go out the window if the English translations you display turn into the wrong kind of funny jokes. We understand that not everyone knows the language well enough not to get lost in translation, but please—don't trust Google Translate to give you anything but a literal conversion of whatever you type in, turning your sign into a hilariously bad translation.
Machine Translation Fails
Each language is an intricate system. Knowing the literal meaning of each word will only get you so far and is definitely not enough to make a good translation. Unfortunately, this is exactly where machine translators fail spectacularly and produce awfully bad translated signs. They are still learning how to deal with a language as a living organism, not just a bunch of nouns and verbs.
Well, to be fair on translation tools, it’s possible that some of these errors were just honest typos. Either way, scroll down to see the funniest bad translations people have come across during their travels and vote for the most epic fails. Also, is anyone up for a nice ‘decomposed Moscow mule’ later?
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Eating Carpet?
Oh no! Just as I was looking forward to a nice big meal of carpet!! ☹️
Hilarious Translation Fail Turns \"Ice Cream\" Into \"Ice Cream In The Ass\"
Now that I think of it, this may be a great way to shrink swollen hemorrhoids. 😜
The translator just failed to realize that "acc." is an abbreviation of something.
Load More Replies...Translation Fail Turns \"Clean Beach\" Into Hilarious Public Warning Gone Wrong
That's so "straight in the face " bored human. My respects...
Load More Replies...Is this an error or did somebody mess with the sign? "itch" is a different font than the rest.
Looks like a really bad photoshop.. font size is wrong, obvious discoloration.
I'm brazilian... And I'm almost certain that this joke was 100% intentional.
It actually means: Clean beach Don't leave trash in the sand Everyone
At least use the same size letters if you're going to shop something. Not exactly difficult.
Epic Translation Fail Makes Elevator Sound Like a Sci-Fi Disaster Beyond Control
What would be the literal translation of the text in Finnish?
Load More Replies...Paul Is Dead Or Just Meatballs?
Maybe it's not a mistranslation, Maybe Paul was the only spare member of staff when they ran out of meat...!!
What is the Greatest Problem of Translation?
While many things go into making a good translation, some things are often the main culprits of funny translation fails. One of them is words that sound similar in two languages but mean different things. They are called the translator’s false friends.
Another thing responsible for many hilariously bad translated signs is taking things too literally instead of translating the meaning. And the shorter the text, the more difficult it is to translate it because you don’t have enough context to help you.
High Maintenance Chick Salon Fails That Will Make You Laugh Out Loud
Hair bottox?? What, it makes your hair so stiff it won't move for months!
Hilarious Translation Fail Leaves Drivers Confused About Dead Slow Kids Playing
At least, you don't have to worry about being caught by dead slow zombies. Just walk away.
Load More Replies...Yeah, this one's actually correct. It's a traffic sign Jordan et al. inherited from Great Britain. And it's not a translation; I'm pretty sure the Arabic reads "slow down."
Load More Replies...How can someone translate "Reduce Speed" into "Dead slow"?! Beyond my understanding!!
"Dead slow" is a valid expression: only enough speed as required to keep the car moving forward and letting you steer. Really, all the sign NEEDS is punctuation, though rewording might be advisable.
Load More Replies...Toilet or Temple? Hilarious Translation Fail Calls Bathroom a Place of Prayer
When you had spicy food the last night, toilet does become the place of prayer
This is not a fail; the sign says that in there there's a toilet and a place for prayer (two separate places) but translated in English it makes it sound like they are both the same place ((I'm an Arabic speaker))
Frankly I would not associate the two in the same sign.
Load More Replies...It definitely is after a night of too much drinking when you pray to the Toilet Gods.
You Won’t Believe This Chicken Shop’s Brutal Translation Fail That’ll Crack You Up
Or vegetarian translators. (With all respect to vegetarians and vegans)
Load More Replies...This Cheese Will Leave You Literally Paralysed Try It at Your Own Risk
l work in a spanish neighborhood and when l pretend to take a photograph at the front of the class. l ask them to write down what l just did,,,,,those that think in english will say you TOOK a picture and those that think in spanish writes you THREW a picture....gets lost in tranlation but now l know who l need to work with more to help them think in english!!!!!
I taught ESL at the border of Mexico, and "borrow to me the scissors/paper/some money " was a common mistake.
Load More Replies...So, is there any way for us to find out Exactly type of cheese this IS!?
What does the original text mean literally? How can a word that (presumably) describes a kind of cheese be translated as 'paralysis'?
Funny Translation Fails by Humans
Often, bad translation is entirely on the person who made it because they either didn’t have enough knowledge or didn’t bother to double-check if the result actually made sense.
However, beyond dealing with false friends and ambiguous words, translating also involves understanding cultural nuances, references, and context. What makes sense in one culture might not in another, making accurate translation complex. Hence, linguistic challenges are just the tip of the iceberg.
Either way, ridiculously bad translated signs are funny to read, so keep scrolling for more translation fails in advertising. Vote for the ones that make you laugh the most, and share them with your friends!
When Translation Goes Too Far Dental Lab Gets a Seriously Awkward Name
Perhaps we can expect to see Dustin Hoffman, and Laurence Olivier, working there?
Uh... *turns and quickly walks away* ... I think I'll stick with the toothache, thanks...
This Perfume Shop\'s Name Is Hilariously Lost in Translation and You Won\'t Believe It
When Translation Goes Wild The Clothes Store You Didn’t Expect to See
Well, if they consider THAT to be porn fashion, then....
Load More Replies...hahaa! I think it's because many Middle Eastern Arabs confuse the P and the B letters. There is no P in Arabic.
Nazi and A**s are, I suppose, the shopkeepers' names. But Porn can't possibly be an Arabic word. I suspect they really meant to say 'sexy".
Turn on the Vacuum Cleaner While Showering? Translation Fail You Have to See to Believe
Yes, we require you to vacuum the water. Be sure to have it plugged in.
Load More Replies...I think we need this sign everywhere... Help control the population. Get your humans spade and neutered.
My apologies but we don’t have shower drains so we require you to vacuum up the water
Evil Saloon for Men or Just a Hair-Raising Translation Fail You Can’t Miss
If you zoom in and hit CSI "enhance" you can read the number of the building: 666 number-of-...fb1535.jpg
Than \"Q\" For Not Smoking Confuses Everyone With Hilarious Translation Blunder
This awfully reminds me when I was in China. Most people like to use (and misuse) English words in text and to say "thank you" they use 10Q. This is horrible, please just don't.
This Cream Milk Contains Coconut Humans and Other Hilarious Translation Fails You Have to See
Coconut Humans? What should be the word after coconut? Can't figure it out.
I had to create an account just to answer this question: coconut peels. Both words are written similarly.
Load More Replies...The first time I saw this, I thought it was just a translation fail. Then I tried them. D:
Homococonutus Sapiens, a phenomenon that science and/or scientists still cannot explain!
I'm actually allergic to coconut..........I don't think I'd be able to have the humans too!
Lost in Translation: When Fish Dishes Take a Wildly Wrong Turn
An unfortunately named fish. It's either Rape, or Monkfish. Neither sounds particular appealing.
Menu Mishaps: When Dog Turds and Sheep Turds Sound Like Tasty Tidbits
"Hey, son, I know you're mad at me for grounding you and all, but you're learning English in school, right? Would you translate this menu for my restaurant before it's printed? You will? Thanks, mate, I appreciate it."
I do occasional Spanish to English menus for restaurants in Spain. Minimum 50 euros. I know some restaurant where a bottle of wine costs that and they won't pay me 50 euros to borrow my years experience for a couple of hours. In and Up market restaurant it look terrible to have mistakes like this, when a risotto costs 30euros.
Load More Replies...I haven't laughed so hard I cry for a LONNNNNNNNNNGGGGGG time........ wrong not once but twice!!!!! LOL
This is sooooo wrong!!! Pirarucu and Piracuí are made of fish... How did they translated this way? OMG!!!
Do Not Use The Problem? Hilarious Translation Fails That Make No Sense
Damn. This one is my language. It actually says: "there is a problem, do not use it" lol
Wholesale Fabric Shop or Winged Donkeys? Translation Fail That Will Crack You Up
Actually, in this case it means something along the lines of "Blessed Than"
Load More Replies...Ok, I'm Thai and I can read Lao. The sign is trying to say " Sell wholesale and retailer. Our price. Made to order" These words must have been translated by Google. :)
When Following Pool Rules Gets You Kicked Out – Translation Fail of the Century
Do not keep the shower running unattended. Do not stand in ankle-deep water waiting for something to happen. Do not shoot children with your laser vision. Sounds all good to me
The first one is a UFO trying to suck the swimmers inside ... Beware !
Load More Replies...No board shorts allowed in french swimming pools, I still remember having to use the loaner Speedos when I was a kid!! Traumatic!
"Dogs and cats living together, mass hysteria!"
Load More Replies...1. Leave shower running. 2. Stand in Shallow puddle. 3. Oogle children.
And then the French are complaining about the behaviour of British tourists... THEY ARE LITERALLY ASKING FOR IT !
Okay so we must go scuba diving, bring our radios, run not walk, play soccer, bring our dogs, smoke, swim in prom dress and heels, wear more shoes 👠, swim on wet tiles, and bring everyone a goodie basket. Got it!!
When You Want Meat but End Up Buying a Lamp Instead – Translation Gone Wild
I almost spit my tea out laughing when I read this 😂
Load More Replies...Now their killing lamps!!!! First Paul, then the chickens, now lamps! Where does this end!!???!!!??
It doesn't...Google Translate is a very good assassin
Load More Replies...Don’t Feed the Flamingos? Hilarious Translation Mix-Up Confuses Llamas With Birds
Seems that they are magic meatballs that levitate
Load More Replies...When Special Women and Men Collide: The Funniest Translation Fail You’ll See Today
Special just for women, men are not ever allowed to enter. (all jumbled up)
I was scrolling down the comments to see if someone else found that
Load More Replies..."Special — women only — men are NEVER (w/double negative) allowed to enter" .... maybe?
I would expect a translation like that from somone who is responisble for this
Commas, COMMAS, people...! "Just Special Women are allowed to enter; Men, never" ...maybe?...
Pringles Ass Flvr? Hilarious Translation Fails You Won\'t Believe Are Real
Yep, about hot/spicy foods, they say you get to enjoy it twice. Once going in, and once coming out. That post above about "Ice Cream In The A*s" makes perfect sense now. :D
Yup, first hot and spicey a*s flavour, then ice cream up the a*s. All utterly logical.
Load More Replies...Oooohhhh! Do you think they (and the ice cream a*s one) are just using "a*s" as a shortened version of "assorted"? As in "People disagreeing with me (a*s)"
Toilet Sign Translation Gone Hilariously Wrong You Won’t Believe What It Says
plus, we all know a butt dropped in the toilet will block it.
Load More Replies...Ok, I'm Thai again :) It says "Do not litter the cigarette in to the toilet"
This Translation Fail Is So Bad It’s Clucking Hilarious and Hard to Forget
Translation is correct. I guess they meant their chicken recipes are the same as your Mom's. It's like "Lutong Bahay" in Tagalog.
For clarification, it's meant to be a pun on "putang ina mo" meaning "your mother is a wh***"
Somewhere an Asian is laughing at a picture of some red necks 'chinese' tattoo that says he thinks says 'dragon' but actually 'c**k sucker'
Hilarious Translation Fails on Menus That Accidentally Serve Up Drama
they are in the variety of dishes category- variety is the spice of life...
لزانية = lasagna but in the very literal traduction it becomes adulteress
At least once they stone them to death, they use the meat. Waste not, want not.
When Your Dessert Turns Into a Crime Scene: The Decomposed Moscow Mule Menu Fail
As much as I like desserts, don't think I'd be tempted to try that one...
This Salad Translation Fail Says Pee Shoots Instead of Pea Shoots and It’s Hilarious
Automatic Doors Warning Fails That Say Don’t Open Them Manuel Way
Sign Says \"Stuff Only\" Instead of Staff in Hilarious Translation Fail You Can’t Miss
According to previous entry it's ice cream in the a*s 💁
Load More Replies...Just give me a second......Hey, where'd ya put the stuff? I can't find it.
stuff, oh, i finally understand, some stuff will go inside, nothing but dead stuff can enter
You Won\'t Believe These Hilarious Food Translation Fails Featuring Frogs and Eels
Shame they don't have Fried Pigs Technology: Cyporks.
Load More Replies...Yummm , technology for lunch today ... Not just any technology , but lemongrass frog tech , the most exotic one !
In Vietnamese turmeric is "nghệ" but if use google translate is mean technology
When Fish Start Making Wild Predictions The Funniest Translation Fails on Menus
Hi, I'm Thai again. 1.Fried fish in hot and spicy soup. 2.Grill fish with salt. 3.Fish fried with fish sauce. 4.Fish fried with sweet and sour sauce. 5.Prawn and glass noodle fried with Chinese sauce.
Sea thicket: don't make me angry, you wouldn't like me when I'm angry.
is this the order of lectures at the pondering fish congress or something?
I hope the fish that do the estimates are properly licensed... just sayin'
The shrimp bakes a soufflé for you to reward you for that comment.
Load More Replies...What is a Common Translation Mistake?
Apart from taking things too literally during translation, another common mistake is using the very first option the dictionary offers you for the word you’re looking for. Sometimes, it may really be the meaning you need, but there’s a good chance that the one that actually suits your context is a little down the entry. Keep that in mind when translating to avoid more translation fails and improve accuracy.
Hilarious Translation Fail Turns Safety Rules Into “Debt Bather” Chaos
1. Obey the instructions of pool officials and the signs. 2. Beware of slipping in the pools and near them - no running and pushing. 3. Parents and care-takers - you must oversee bathing of children under 6 years of age in the toddlers pool (no lifeguard there). Please note - overseeing means continuous eye contact or physical proximity with the bather which allows immediate assistance. (I'm a native Hebrew speaker)
Load More Replies...Seems perfectly clear to me... each individual word, anyway. Strung together in that order, well... happy drowning?
Wow, this is great, there is so much to unpack here. Many of the problems here arise from the words in the sign which are homonyms in Hebrew. Btw, great [correct] translation, Lilo.
Epic Translation Fail: When Bags Get Pregnant and Language Gets Weird
More than 50% of pregnant women experience morning sickness and vomiting; maybe that's why. Like the bags in the planes...
No wonder my kitchen closet get full of plastic bags every so often.
Buy two get one free!!! (iIth the added help of a trained bag specialist, of course)
Butt Sweets Shop Translation Fail Will Make You Do a Double Take
Welp. Now we know where to find more ice cream in the a*s if they run out ;)
:[ im sad, my parents have been feeding me sweets from this shop foreveer, (vomits) i think im fine now
yummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
Lost in Translation: When \"Throw Nothing\" Sounds Like a Toilet Riddle
Come on. Empty your pockets. You must have something to trow.
Tbh, the Spanish is correct, but next time, get someone who speaks Spanish to translate, Spanish uses Nada for anything
well, it means Anything in this case, but normally means Nothing
Load More Replies...SO MANY bathroom signs are ridiculously badly translated! haaaaahahahaha!
The text in Spanish is badly formulated; says that is it prohibited to throw NOTHING ...
Load More Replies...This Hilarious Translation Fail Turns \"No Shouting\" Into \"Do Not Cry\"
I'm half Mexican so the sign actually reads "Do not yell". *I think*.
*child cries* Police: You are under arrest for crying. Later Judge: Detention. FOREVER
Lost in Translation? Hilarious Signs Pointing to the Arrival Hole You Can’t Miss
to the death hole ---------------------> no no, i dont want to go there NOOOOONOONNONNOONONOONO
No Place to Park or Park No Place? Translation Fails That Defy Logic
And just what is the meaning of this? Is this all there is? It's all so confusing...
What was the intention? That IS an accurate translation, isn't it? Maybe the sign maker doesn't speak Spanish OR English??
Maybe is a parking. Maybe this parking is full. But... in Spain to say that the correct word if "lleno" or "está lleno" so... it could be somewhere in Latin America.
Load More Replies...Oh, good, I was just going to drive in that exact direction. Thanks, I don't really want to step into the infinite void right now.
Hilarious Translation Fail Turns Simple Seafood Dish Into Salomon’s Squid Duet from Norway
If it was, we would undoubtedly have gotten more points than we usually do >.>
Load More Replies...Salomon and Squidward concert: 100/10 would watch 10x again
GUYS I GOT TICKETS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Now I just need to move to Norway
Translation Fail or Creepy Cuisine? When Menus Go Hilariously Wrong
I think that was the original title for Brokeback Mountain
Load More Replies...Mountains of rape with a side of porky and some typical cheese to go please.
This appears to not be the restaurat's fault. I can see a slight highlighting in the English translation, which suggests it could be a Google camera translate rror.
This Translation Fail Has a Serious Nuts Problem You Won\'t Believe
Emergency Cock? Translation Fails That Prove Auto-Translate Needs a Manual Fix
Well the german word for it is c**k (hahn) , but not the c**k you dirty souls mean :P Hahn is also the german word for rooster which is also c**k in english. Not sure why i try to explain it all and ruin the fun :D
But why would anyone need an emergency rooster???
Load More Replies...Well thank god someone thought of this! Flashlight, oxygen, flotation device, EMERGENCY C**K !
This Translation Fail Does Not Rest—And Neither Will You After Reading It
Menu Mistakes: When Fried Crab Turns Into Fried Crap in Hilarious Translation Fails
c0me 0n its fired c**p, 0ne in a milli0n chance y0u will eat that
Load More Replies...pringles ass flavour, ice cream in the ass and FIRED crap with curry sauce. they're all together. but why was the crap fired?
Epic Translation Fail Turns \"Parking\" Into \"Par King\" in Hilarious Sign Mix-Up
English 102 Crash Course: Mastering Grammar and Riding at the Same Time
Just spell it right and you’re there. Seriously, how can this be a book on english if they can’t even spell the cover right?
Well then again this could have been made before spelling was invented
Load More Replies...Gramer.....Definitely some kind of gamer breed....I wonder what the other part is?
\"Lost in Translation Fail: Why Saying Please Don’t No Smoke Will Crack You Up\"
If you added grammar it makes some sense: 'Please don't... no smoke!' But I don't see any situations that this phrase would be used in...
Lost in Translation: Swim Between Two Red Yellow Flags or Risk It!
In Australia, red and yellow flags are used by surf/beach life guards to indicate the area that is free of rips or dangerous currents. Beach-goers are advised to swim in that area for their own safety. I assume the practice is adopted in other countries
This is a correct translation, the upper half of the flag is red and the bottom half of the flag is yellow.
Wet Probability Warning Sign Fails That’ll Make You Question Science
This English Teacher’s Translation Fail Will Make You Cringe and Laugh Out Loud
So translated it says Egyptian English teacher, 14 years of experience, your children's success guaranteed
Press the Flush Twice to Save Water? Translation Fail That Will Confuse You
Actually it is translated quite well. I think they mean "Press the flush button again to stop water"
Sounds like you are saving a lot more water than one flush mate. Why don't we just flush 10 times. That way, you will most likely save tons of water.
I really think they are the reason for shortage of water in undeveloped countries.
This Street Can\'t Walk While Eating So Please Eat Here or Else!
In Korea & Japan it's frowned upon to eat while walking in public.
Really? They sell so much street food and food on sticks from stalls which people eat on the go. I think it is more Japanese consideration going above board and not wanting slow eaters holding up pedestrian traffic.
Load More Replies...This is actually not much of a mistranslation. In many southeast Asian countries it is considered disrespectful to walk while eating.
But... This street was made for walking and that's just what it'll do...
Menu translation fail turns seafood into \"the cruelty mixed fishing\" disaster
Should be a piece of cake if you're a real meat-eater :)
Load More Replies...I'm concerned that they had to put "Raw". Isn't ham already raw?
Load More Replies...Pizza menu goes viral with a bizarre “smallpox” topping translation fail
yeah, but you cannot know how would your vaccine react with that special ingredient: chesse. What ever that might be. If the languages were supposed to be EN, DE, IT and FR, it sure does not mean "cheese" in any of them :)
Load More Replies...Barbarians. Everyone knows you use cowpox when cooking cheese dishes.
Please Don’t Throw The Toilet In The WC – Translation Fail That’s Just Too Real
Arab Shat Fresh Fish Sign Proves Translation Fails Are Hilarious and Unforgettable
They could've changed the word order. "Fresh fish from Shat River". Slightly better.
Load More Replies...There is a river in Basrah called the Shat Al Arab, this may be a Iraqi fishmonger
The chinese shat chickens! Now if only the Indian shat curry, lunch would be ready!
This Hilarious Translation Fail Warns You Not To Lean Again—But When Did You Lean The First Time?
Lean once, shame on you. Lean again, shame on me.
Load More Replies...don't do it again johhny, if you fall into the water with piranhas again we wont save you
This Bread Comes With Cold? Translation Fails That Make No Sense But Are Hilarious
I think I will have the one that does not have a cold...ugghhh, hate a snotty bread.
Expensively Customer Alert The Most Hilarious Taxi Translation Fail You’ll See Today
Hilarious Translation Fail Tells You To Just Bring Your Hands – What?!
Well, the little graphic of disembodied hands made that pretty clear.
Thank you for telling me that, noble sign! I was planning to leave my hands at home, how foolish
Cheap a*s companies. What's next, we need to bring our own food to restaurants?!
Bring planes to airports? Books to bookstores? WASHING MACHINES AND DRYERS TO LAUNDROMATS?????
Load More Replies...Lost in Translation Sign Fails That Turn Simple Warnings Into Comedy Gold
there's a whole world of meaning between "penetrate the zone" and "penetrate in the zone". Yes, the word penetrate has its connotations, but the sign does not tell anyone to stay out of the zone, it tells them not to penetrate once inside the zone. Therefore - hilarity.
Load More Replies...This Shop for Kissing Translation Fail Will Leave You Cracking Up Instantly
Beware Broken Grass Sign Proves Translation Fails Are Hilariously Real
When Menus Attack: Hilarious Translation Fails You Have to See to Believe
Both German and English translations are so hilarious that I had to go and actually google this one, to see what it was supposed to say :) It sure takes the art of miss-translation to the next level - Crema de verdura would be vegetable soup - any native Spanish speaker here is welcome to correct :)
It looks like they translated from Spanish to English, then used the English translation to then translate into German and French! That's how the "cremates" appears in all versions.
Load More Replies...The French translation states: 'He incinerates of green color'. Not sure I wanna eat that in any language. :P
The Spanish word for soup is "sopa". I think crema is basically cream soup, so "cream of vegetable soup" is likely the proper translation.
Haha, the German versions says: it incinerates(cremates) of immaturity. 😂😂😂😂
Hilarious Translation Fail Asks You to Download Hangers Literally or Else!
Watch your language, my guy. There might be some kids looking at this comment.
Load More Replies...Epic Translation Fail Warns You About a Dangerously Confusing Roof Path
Even though I should walk in the valley of the shadow of death, on the path under the roof of dangerous, I will fear no evil, all though I might cringe a little.... Psalm 23:4, King George III edition
No Smocking Allowed How Translation Fails Turn Signs Into Comedy Gold
You Won\'t Believe What This Menu Accidentally Says About Forest Stew
kurki=chanterelles, really tasty, but I don't think I will eat them any time soon after reading this...
It should be hens, not c***s, to be accurate ;)
Load More Replies...Just make your own at home! Wait a sec...... i think it meant c***s in terms of chicken... right?
Don't think American slang and the trouble with this one goes away. "C**k" is properly defined as the short form of "cockerel," which means a male bird, especially a chicken. You've heard of coq au vin? This is basically coq au creme. The word in French and English has a common root.
Yo I'm polish and it was supposed to be a dish were you have herring in circle type things in oil then with onions or other things you could put in a salad.
Lost in Translation: When \"Do Not Get Groped\" Gets Way Too Literal
Rule one: do not get groped. It's every man/woman/cat for him/herself.
*cries in non-binary* guess I'm not safe then lol
Load More Replies...What about the new one? It should say “do not get sniffed” now
Load More Replies...Don't get Groped; Take Care of your belongings; We are with you..... Anyone else find this creepy??
Hi! I´m a native spanish speaker. In spanish "meter mano" is a slang term that has two meanings: 1-to touch other in a flirty way (put your hands under the clothes of other) 2-put your hand inside something to steal.
Actually this one is correct, it’s just a play of words. “Meter mano” in Spanish is “to grope”, but it could literally mean “to put in hand”. In this case, they’re referring to the fact that if someone steals something from you, their putting their hand in your bag, they’re “metiendo mano”. Of course, this doesn’t work in English lol Source: Spaniard
Lol my friend who's fluent in French and lived in France is right next to me.
When on Boat Please Wearing Airbags Is the Safety Advice You Didn’t Know You Needed
What would be worse, falling off a boat less than a mile from shore, or wear an airbag?
there is no literal translation of lifejacket in khmer but airbags will do
You Won’t Believe What This “Skin Milk” Really Means in English Translation Fails
Milk for your skin, right? Like a milk bath. This could actually work.
Pharmacy Situation: Translation Fail That Will Make You Do a Double Take
Translation Fail Alert Entrance Only with Herr Hitler Not What You Expected
Sorry for being a killjoy - but this must be a fake. No way this would survive an hour in Germany, let along long enough to get rusty.
Not only would this not survive an hour, but no German would translate the word for "leader" as "Herr Hitler." They know the difference between a German surname and an occupation. The sign is saying you should enter only with an official guide.
This sign says in german, 'Castle tours only with guide' The word Fuehrer means leader or guide, but is known by most other countries in the world to mean Hitler. This sign is likely also from one of the thousands of castles in Germany, some of which are rarely visited and poorly maintained. That or this was a sign made by someone else who was not well versed in german, and wanted to make a joke about a sign they may have seen while travelling in the country.
It's supposed to be "Castle can be visited only with a guide" (according to Google Translate)
When Your Snack’s Named Puppy but Tastes Like Confusion – Translation Fail!
I would only be guessing if I say "poppy seeds" -which I can see on these pastries or whatever they are...
Load More Replies...poppy. which is a crime in and of itself... poppy seeds have no business being a filling for cookies!
Don\'t Throw \"Lilter\" or We\'ll Call the Police – Translation Gone Wrong
Hello police? I've got some lilter I need to get rid of - can you help me out with that?
"911, what's your emergency?" "Yeah, this is ... trashcan's full again, do you mind swinging by?"
Don't throw lilter (hitler) on the floor. Call the police. They'll help you keep your trash away from trash robbers.
Please Don’t Upload The Presbyteries—Hilarious Translation Fail From A Church Sign
When Menus Get Too Literal Spicy Brave Potatoes and Other Translation Fails
Only Dratshang Can Pee Here Says the Most Exclusive Toilet Sign Ever
This is your final warning, for the love of God DON’T use Dratshang’s toilet!
Translation Fail Alert Fries Girl? These Hilarious Menu Blunders Will Make You Laugh
In some Spanish variants "chica" and "chico" mean "small", but they can also mean "girl" and "boy", respectively. Hence the confusion.
When Your Seafood Menu Turns into a Hilarious Lost-in-Translation Adventure
When a Menu Translation Goes Hilariously Wrong: Yellowtail Jew or Just a Fish?
how do you 'look' jewish??? this always confuses me. it's like "oh but you dont look gay." oh. im sorry. lemme just... 🏳️🌈🏳️🌈🏳️🌈🏳️🌈🏳️🌈🏳️🌈🏳️🌈🏳️🌈🏳️🌈🏳️🌈🏳️🌈.
Load More Replies...Translation Fails That Prove Auto-Translate Can Be Hilariously Wrong
Give to pies the hair girl. In the house, girlfriend now you have. hpoefully.
Load More Replies...Translation Fail Alert The Clean First Mistake You Have to See to Believe
when you want to make a "that's what I said last night" joke, but know you'll be banned from panda if you do.
Sausage Cocked in Wine and Other Hilarious Translation Fails You Can’t Miss
When Translation Goes Wrong The Bells Do Not Touch Will Crack You Up
This translation switches the order because of Ukrainian grammar order. Дзвони=bells, руками= hands, не= not, чіпати= to touch. It is demanding that you never use your hands to touch the bells
Now picture Eddie Murphy saying that in his 'Buckwheat' character and it makes perfect sense.
Top 10 Hilarious Menu Translation Fails That Turn Food Into Comedy Gold
Eggs Sheep and Frying Sli Impregnating: Hilarious Translation Fails from a Global Menu
Menu Fails: When \'Itch Salad\' Sounds Way Less Appetizing Than It Should
When Chicken Tights Take Over the Dinner Menu Translation Fails You Won’t Believe
Tights looks like a replacement, I wonder what they had before that!
I guess that's why the blue and white hands are only using one finger each.
Epic Translation Fail: When Reset Button Becomes Reset Bottom and Confuses Everyone
This one makes sense... You reset the toilet for the next person whenever you flush.
Translation Fail or Fashion Hack? Why This Store’s \'Downloads\' Will Crack You Up
Scan the QR code on the clothing you choose to get a digital image of the product. To save the image, pay $100.00
Hilarious Translation Fail Proves Falling at the Seaside Is Universal and Painful
The Italian translation is obviously correct, but it's probably the only one! :-D
Descent, huh? Another case where they used the English for the subsequent languages?
Yes. And don't blame Google translate. If you enter the Italian text there, the correct translation shows in all the other languages (descent to the sea) more or less.
I am cracking up with the Spanish one: 'fall over dizzy'. "Discesa a mare" means 'Direct access to the beach' that is located down the cliff or down the entrance level, usually you have stairs going down to the beach. All of them are a mess!!!! ha ha ha! That is why Translation without the cultural context is impossible to be accurate! This short sentences need to be interpreted more than translated!
Snap the Garlic Mojo to the Orange? Hilarious Translation Fails You Need to See
Mozzarella Ass for Sale: The Most Hilarious Translation Fail You’ll See Today
Ποικιλία (ποικ.) that is a miscellaneous collection of things translated to "assortment" (a*s) lol!!!
Πάντως τα περισσότερα είναι απόδειξη ότι το επάγγελμα του μεταφραστή δεν θα χαθεί...
Load More Replies...This Translation Fail Confuses Clean and Dirty Like You’ve Never Seen Before
The Spanish says "dirty room"...this is most like a room which contains a decontamination shower.
This Trash Bin Mistake Translates to Hilariously Confused Garbage Sorting
Dang ridiculous liberal progressives and their diversification quotas!
Load More Replies...AKA 'Mixed Waste' meaning that due to the facilities available, recyclables go in there too.
Is that the intended meaning, or rather that the collection of trash is 'differentiated', i.e. selective, with glass going into one container, organic refuse into another, etc.?
Load More Replies...Hilarious Menu Translation Fails Like Grilled Chicken Breath You Have to See
they also just plain mistranslated - it's goose and citrus salad. It's chicken breast, not breath,
This Translation Fail Reads Like a Beefy Comedy Sketch You Can’t Miss
AHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH
Load More Replies...That may not be the worst. You might get salmonella fro half-roasted chicken.
50,100,200,500 Euros? Hilarious Translation Fail Will Confuse You Instantly
If you want to pay with these notes, please say so first, so there will be no problem with change.
Load More Replies...People who say 50,100,200,500 euros will not have problems with anything else. Great wisdom.
When \"No Entrance\" Gets Lost in Translation and Leaves You Confused
I think it's wrong in russian too. It says "there's no any entrance" (входа нет!). I think they wanted to say "No entrance" (Это не вход!)
Load More Replies...Work Hours Gone Wild The Ears of Morocco Take Over Evening Shifts
It means from sunset prayer (also means Morocco) and ears in the Arabic sentence just means athan ( Muslim call to prayer) so it means to the sunset prayer they are just homophones nothing else
I am not sure 100% but I think it means "from the evening prayer call (adhaan)" to 10pm
Load More Replies...Epic Translation Fail: When \"Fried Knob\" Makes the Menu Unforgettable
Hilarious Toilet Sign Translation Fail That Will Confuse Every Visitor Instantly
That looks shopped. The original writing on the top is uneven in the places where the paper is creased. The bottom one is way to straight and not blurry enough.
If someone were going to go to the trouble of photoshopping wouldn't they make it funny?
Load More Replies...I think the sign wants us to make sure the toilets are as clean as the front door is.
Just poor quality pic, doesn't look shopped...in French it says: Respectfully, please leave the toilets in the state in which you would wish to find them upon entering.
Toilette is the loo room, the bathroom, not toilet paper! ha ha ha
I believe I found the entrance somewhere in Wisconsin. Is there where I leave the toilets as well?
Toilet Translation Fail That Accidentally Bans Leg Standing Forever
I'm pretty sure it actually means to not stand on the toilet. We have such signs in many public restrooms in Japan too. Apparently certain nationalities climb up on western style toilets to use them like squat toilets and often break the seat in the process, or just make it filthy with their shoes.
When Google Translate Goes Too Far The Services It’s Privates Will Shock You
At first, i thought it was deposition on the clients as in deposite (poo)
Pinchos or painful spikes? Hilarious translation fails that mix food with danger
Yeah. His biggest wish is to one day be able to eat olives.
Load More Replies...Visit the Cathedral\'s Royal Tombs and Roofs? Translation Fail You Have to See!
Salad of the Day and Other Hilarious Translation Fails You Can’t Miss
Parking Closed or Surrounded Parking? Translation Fail Confuses Everyone
Someone got very seriously confused. Surrounded is "rodeado", not "cerrado" which means closed.
Translation Gone Wild: When Menus Serve You “Pandemonium Salad” and Pepper in Dairy Cream
Whenever I read the word pandemonium I imagine the Muppet Show with Kermit running around while flailing his arms and screaming.
Pandemonium salad is a genuine Serbian recipe. Kinda ignorant that you make fun of it like this tbh.
Had to google it ol Urnebes means "mess" but that sure escalated quickly
When Google Calls the Taj Mahal \"Goats Mosque\" and You Can’t Unsee It
Menu Mishap: When Burn Cream Sounds Like a French Dessert Disaster
Brulee means burn... You burn the sugar on the custard under a broiler, so?
Brulée means burned. Maybe they think the wrong grammar is funny?
Load More Replies...Maybe burn cream is something that comes in a first aid kit to apply topically to...oh I dunno....maybe a burn.
Notice the Last Step Coming Down Translation Fail That Will Make You Laugh
Ah the difference between a and à. The accent does not show in the capital letter and leave it up to google translate to f**k up the rest for you.
So a better translation would be: "Watch out for the last step on the way down"?
Load More Replies...Because "à" in french means at and "a" is a congugated form of to have..has.
Hope and Please Entrance for Cars Non Stop Before The Door Thanks Agrsat Goodfromgod Translation Fail
\"Translation Fail Turns Delicious Menu Into Hilariously Greedy Formula\"
When you read about the various small dishes and barbecue assortment then "greedy formula" actually makes perfect sense. It is kind of greedy to want so much.
Lost in Translation People Mover Sounds More Like a Dance Move Than a Ride
The translation is accurate. Just because English speakers thought "ski lift" would be more colorful does not make the translation any less correct.
It got torn down in 1995. Still exists at Disney World, though.
Load More Replies...This Crosswalk is So Humped It’s Hard to Believe It’s Real
Salon Hanna Mansour Beouty Centr: Translation Fail That Will Make You Do a Double Take
Conditioning Access to Users Responsibility Will Confuse Anyone Walking By
Menu Translation Fail Shows Greedy Caramel Macaron and More Hilarious Flavors
comment if you have a cat and what their name is my cats names are cupcake and twinkle
Green Onion Leaves or Just Onions? The Translation Fail That Baffles Shoppers
I don't see the error here... Just the person taking the picture doesn't realise the label is referring to the green onions, not the tomatoes.
When \"Free Toilets\" Sounds Like You\'re Giving Away Bathrooms – Translation Fails Exposed
Yes... in some countries there are still pay toilets. Also, you pay for the toilet PAPER. God forbid you have an "issue" that requires extra.
Oh, thank god! The toilet in my house broke, and I need a new one so bad!
Strictly Forbidden? Translation Fail Warns Mountain Bikers Like Never Before
When Your Coffee Is Free Because They Forgot the Invoice – Translation Gone Wrong
meh, it's accurate, albeit slightly awkward. factura can be invoice, bill, check (as in a restaurant)... makes sense.
Only, the "order" is free. If they don't charge, there is no purchase whatsoever. A purchase cannot be free.
Load More Replies...No, it is not translated accurately. Pedido is order. It is NOT purchase. If you get your order for free there is no purchase involved. You never bought it.
Load More Replies...The same text I saw in shops in Greece. "If we don't give you a fiscal note (bill, invoice etc.), you are not obliged to pay the purchase" (in greek of course). In Bulgaria the responsibility for this is of the client - The client is obliged to ask for a fiscal note, and there's a fine for the customer, if he haven't a fiscal note on the exit of the shop in case of a check.
Marinated Flap Meat Translation Fail That Will Make You Cringe and Laugh
Translation Fails: When Lion’s Drink and Cindrella Ruin Your Order Every Time
I'm sure there are many English-language beverages, particularly cocktails, that are much more ridiculous than these.
Warning or Rest in Peace? Hilarious Beach Sign Translation Gone Wrong
Agreed, although the term "rip tide" is more common. Granted, those who don't understand the sign now would probably still be confused.
Load More Replies...It has been 11 months since the last comment...but it really grinds my gears that nobody realised precaution was spelt wrong on this sign...that was the issue.
Actually, in Spanish, "precaucion" is correct (although it should have an accent over the "o"). Words which, in English, are spelled with a "tion" are mostly spelled "cion" in Spanish.
Load More Replies...There is nothing wrong with this one. What's funny about, "Warning - Rip Currents"?
What's wrong with this one? Oh, let me guess, whoever posted this was slightly dyslexic and thought it's "rib"?
Kinda right. Allthough it should be "dangerous currents". A rip current is a specific kind of surface current that flows to sea, directly away from the shore. So actually the spanish translation might be incorect or incomplete.
Translation Gone Wrong Warning Bathing Without Rescue Squad Is Risky
In french it actually translate: the balneazon is not pure sure the absence of rescue service... wtf is balneazon... perhaps they ment baignade but it still make no sense at all so just don,'t do it
should have been : la baignade est dangereuse par cause d'abscence de service de sauvetage.
Load More Replies..."bathing" and "swimming" are pretty much the same thing in Spanish, so I suppose that's the translation in Italian as well...?
The English is sufficient on this one. A little stilted, but absolutely conveys what it's supposed to clearly and succinctly.
The Italian translation is "Unsafe bathing due to lack of rescue service." Pretty sure that's what they meant to say.
Looks to me like it says don't swim because there's not a proper lifeguard! Nothing really wrong with that I don't think.
Lost in Translation The Funniest Sign Fails You Must See at the Exit
All the German lacks is the exclamation point to make the sentence imperative. It's saying to locate (leave/retrieve for use) the depicted scooters at the exits. The English certainly makes no sense; it seems like someone attempted to add clarifying words to the literal translation and utterly failed. "Werden" doesn't occur in the German statement at all, so I have no idea why they used the inquisitive English "will."
This was a typo of the original statement. The German translates to 'Will you find the exit?' I'm just going to throw this up to bad grammar by the person making the sign...
Fits to the German classic from advertising; "Come in and find out" from a perfume shop.
Milk, Fish, Tree? Hilariously Wrong Translations That Make No Sense
Not a translation but a replacement. The translation wouldn´t have made any sense.
I think it might actually be a poem in two languages rather than the English replacing or translating the Spanish. Note that the first two lines and the last two lines both end with the ee/i sound.
There’s plenty of words on this sign, I just don’t know what the top ones mean.
i would like to hang this up on my wall to remind myself that I am absolute nonsense
People With Kids on Their Lap Must Test Chairlift Safety Lock or Else
Even the original Portuguese text is obnoxiously stupid and bookish. I am a native speaker, I live in Brazil, am a writer with a degree and an MBA and I have not understood what this sign means. It surely means something about people with underage children having to do some kind of test, but the wording is awkward and the punctuation breaks the sentence randomly, further obscuring the text. Whoever wrote this can't translate well its own ideas into his own native language.
Translation Fail Alert Keep Off The Law or Else You’ll Be Prosecuted
Some of these signs are just missing a single letter. I probably wouldn't notice if I made a sign in a different language.
Motor Disabilities Path or Epic Translation Fail? You Decide!
Mediation or Meditation? This Prayer Room Sign Mess-Up Is Priceless
Ermm, whats wrong with this translation? Thats Political Correctnes German style.
this isn't a funny translation it is just saying where the prayers room is
When Translation Goes Wrong Good Appetite Or Not This Is Hilarious
There is no exact translation. But most english speaking people will say "Enjoy your meal".
The only error I see here is that the German should be 'Guten Appetit'.
On a related note, isn't it kind of weird how every single language on the world has a version of that, except for english?
There's a reason for that...have you tasted English food? ;-)
Load More Replies...When creating content or signage internationally, businesses can learn from BiBi the Indonesian monkey's global appeal. Her story, showcasing the power of nonverbal communication through her diverse friendships, highlights how understanding cultural nuances can draw more positive attention globally.
For more insight, consider examining BiBi's unique way of connecting with animals, overcoming language barriers effortlessly.
These are why AI is a loooooong long way from stealing jobs from the human translators.
One day long ago my dad went to an Chinese resteraunt and asked the waitress about an item on the menu called "eggplant in yummy sauce" when asked what was in the yummy sauce she drew a blank, saying only that it was very yummy. My dad ordered it anyway and was pleased to say it lived up to his name.
When Nicole Kidman's "To Die For" premiered in my country a theater showed in its billboard "El Cuatro de la Muerte" which translated is "The Four of Death" (For-Four)
Reminds me of a banker in South Texas who decided to have both English and Spanish holiday signs. He would ask his Latino secretary for the correct words and spelling. He did fine until she was on vacation and he had to ask one of the tellers how to say " WE WILL BE CLOSED JULY FORTH TO OBSERVE INDEPENDENCE DAY." He printed the reply 'ESTAREMOS CERRADOS EL JULIO CUARTO PARA OBSERVAR EL DECIMOSEXTO DE SEPTIEMBRE."
These are why AI is a loooooong long way from stealing jobs from the human translators.
One day long ago my dad went to an Chinese resteraunt and asked the waitress about an item on the menu called "eggplant in yummy sauce" when asked what was in the yummy sauce she drew a blank, saying only that it was very yummy. My dad ordered it anyway and was pleased to say it lived up to his name.
When Nicole Kidman's "To Die For" premiered in my country a theater showed in its billboard "El Cuatro de la Muerte" which translated is "The Four of Death" (For-Four)
Reminds me of a banker in South Texas who decided to have both English and Spanish holiday signs. He would ask his Latino secretary for the correct words and spelling. He did fine until she was on vacation and he had to ask one of the tellers how to say " WE WILL BE CLOSED JULY FORTH TO OBSERVE INDEPENDENCE DAY." He printed the reply 'ESTAREMOS CERRADOS EL JULIO CUARTO PARA OBSERVAR EL DECIMOSEXTO DE SEPTIEMBRE."
