30 Times People Wanted To Say Something Else But Failed Due To Language Barrier
Language is a powerful tool, but it can also be a tricky one, especially when it comes to translation. The nuances and idiosyncrasies of different languages often lead to unintentional humor when translating from one tongue to another.
In the realm of English translations, there have been countless instances of hilarious fails and typos that not only leave native speakers scratching their heads but also provide a good laugh for everyone involved. The Facebook page “Translation Gone Wrong” shares hilarious examples of English translation mishaps that showcase the beauty of language gone awry. Check out some of their funniest posts in the gallery below.
More info: Translation Gone Wrong | Dot Roberts | LinkedIn | Meet The Translator Podcast | Instagram
#1 Bathroom Feminism
Cloblobster : “He-man’s female counterpart”
TotallyNOTAFox : “I wonder how Tony Stark got his own bathroom there”
#2 Here You Can Even Steal For Free
Ravioli : “I think in Denmark you can claim someone’s lost child after 2 hours soooo..”
Mr. Nurse Man : “I need new luggage anyway, so don’t mind if I do!”
#3 Fortune Cookies: “You Will Gain Admiration From Your Pears.”
Kevin the Manager : “They pear into my soul.”
MikeInSociety (they/them) : “Ah my good old friends, the pears”
#4
pineapple87 : “Today is always under construction, never finished. When today finishes, it becomes yesterday.”
LauraDragonWench : “Whew! That explains a lot, thanks!”
#5 Isn’t This Your Definition Of Great Customer Service?
Multa Nocte : “They would have to pay me a LOT to work there . . . . .”
#6 Cash, Please. I Left My Octopus At Home
EDWIN FAWCETT : “Octopus Card used in Hong Kong. Use on MTR Buses and at 7-11 etc”
Jack Smith : “damn. can i pay with squid instead? I’m all out of octopi.”
#7 A Revolutionary New Marketing Strategy
LauraDragonWench : “Taste test before I buy? Okay! 👍”
MikeInSociety (they/them) : “And that kids…..is how covid started again”
#8 Literally Lost In Translation
Tucker Cahooter : “Probably if they had they would have got “Translate server error””
#9Watch Out!
pineapple87 : “Not untrue. A false sense of safety can be dangerous. Vigilance is key.”
#10 -What’s Up? -Sunshine!
Space Bunny<3 : “This is wholesome”
LokisLilButterknife : “The katakana does indeed transliterate into “sunshine” , so the translation really isn’t that far off (I sadly can’t read the kanji anymore as it’s been quite some time since I studied Japanese). I think they are reffering to “Sunshine City” which is a building complex in part of Tokyo.”
#11 Sunday Mood
pineapple87 : “I wouldn’t dare! Let the tiny grass dream.”
Multa Nocte : “Why is this so sweet?”
#12 Rebellious Freezer!
TotallyNOTAFox : “Rage against the machine and the machine rages back!”
#13 How Not To Encourage Your Children To Clean Up After Themselves
pineapple87 : “Is there a smart child version so you can tell your kids which one is your favourite?”
#14 Don’t You Agree?
Francois : “So true, without them in public I definitely I would feel not happy”
#15 Get In Line, Guys!
Nacho Man Sandy Ravage : “Johnny Cash wouldn’t be happy”
Passerby : “This is not a mistranslation. It is just an unfortunate transliteration. It is the name of a subway station in Bangkok.”
#16 Sunday Morning Coffee Anyone?
Space Bunny<3 : “I had trouble understanding this”
Multa Nocte : “Whoa! I feel kinda sexy now after this – count me in!”
#17 Not Feel Well – Get Drunk
Jack Smith : “are they TELLING me to get drunk if i ALREADY dont feel well? because i dont think that’ll fly well. im underage.”
David : “No pooping on the invisible toilets. They are for display only. /S”
#18 Hygiene Tip Of The Day
Space Bunny<3 : “Sadly last time it happened my teacher told I was not the best.”
#19 Do Not Diet, It’s Friday!
Multa Nocte : “I’m so curious about this one. Can someone here translate it for us?”
#20 Brilliant
ynyrhydref56 : “This is my favourite”
- Being_Cori * * * : “that’s cos someone cut the wires.”
#21 !! Warning !!
Ravioli : “I had a stroke trying to read this”
pineapple87 : “The only thing that makes sense is the do not vomit on the floor, which sounds like a reasonable request.”
#22 Or Else..!
pineapple87 : “You can’t tell me what to do!”
David : “The sad part is that they need that sign in any language. It appears to be a flush button for a toilet. If you don’t know to flush the public toilet when you are dong going – the sign probably won’t help a lot.”
#23 Behave Yourself!
Ravioli : “behave yourself Jesus”
zgillet : “This one made me actually laugh.”
#24 A Quick Visit!
LauraDragonWench : “They stole the sign hanging on my front door.”
pineapple87 : “This seems like a border control sign.”
#25
pineapple87 : “I guess you could call this assisted suicide.”
Bouche and Audi and Shyla, Oh My! : “How high does the cliff jump? Does it jump at scheduled times?”
#1 Candevil Fan : “my parents: “if your friends jumped off a cliff, would you do it too?” Me: YEET”
#26 Carefully Slip And Fall Into The Weekend
Bouche and Audi and Shyla, Oh My! : “Care is always helpful when falling.”
#27 Ouch!
TotallyNOTAFox : “And I bet he has no ragrets”
#28 Whatever Blows Your Bubble
pineapple87 : “That sounds more like an invitation than a warning”
#29 What About A Carrot Phone?
Multa Nocte : “This anti-vegan crowd is getting out of control.”
#30 Or Not!
pineapple87 : “Challenge accepted!”
Travelling Stranger : “i had fun once, it was terrible”
Saumya Ratan
Saumya is an explorer of all things beautiful, quirky, and heartwarming. With her knack for art, design, photography, fun trivia, and internet humor, she takes you on a journey through the lighter side of pop culture.
