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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?
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
Eating Carpet?
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#2
Hilarious Translation Fail Turns \"Ice Cream\" Into \"Ice Cream In The Ass\"
#3
Translation Fail Turns \"Clean Beach\" Into Hilarious Public Warning Gone Wrong
![Translation Fail Turns \"Clean Beach\" Into Hilarious Public Warning Gone Wrong](https://www.boredpanda.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/funny-translation-fail-93-59b0f564f0b72__605.jpg?utm_campaign=rebelboost_true "Translation Fail Turns \\"Clean Beach\\" Into Hilarious Public Warning Gone Wrong")
#4
Epic Translation Fail Makes Elevator Sound Like a Sci-Fi Disaster Beyond Control
#5
Paul Is Dead Or Just Meatballs?
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.
#6
High Maintenance Chick Salon Fails That Will Make You Laugh Out Loud
#7
Hilarious Translation Fail Leaves Drivers Confused About Dead Slow Kids Playing
#8
Toilet or Temple? Hilarious Translation Fail Calls Bathroom a Place of Prayer
#9
You Won’t Believe This Chicken Shop’s Brutal Translation Fail That’ll Crack You Up
#10
This Cheese Will Leave You Literally Paralysed Try It at Your Own Risk
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!
#11
When Translation Goes Too Far Dental Lab Gets a Seriously Awkward Name
#12
This Perfume Shop\'s Name Is Hilariously Lost in Translation and You Won\'t Believe It
#13
When Translation Goes Wild The Clothes Store You Didn’t Expect to See
#14
Turn on the Vacuum Cleaner While Showering? Translation Fail You Have to See to Believe
#15
Evil Saloon for Men or Just a Hair-Raising Translation Fail You Can’t Miss
#16
Than \"Q\" For Not Smoking Confuses Everyone With Hilarious Translation Blunder
#17
This Cream Milk Contains Coconut Humans and Other Hilarious Translation Fails You Have to See
Isabel Tamayo 8 years ago
Coconut Humans? What should be the word after coconut? Can't figure it out.
#18
Lost in Translation: When Fish Dishes Take a Wildly Wrong Turn
#19
Menu Mishaps: When Dog Turds and Sheep Turds Sound Like Tasty Tidbits
Scott Johnson 8 years ago
"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."
#20
Do Not Use The Problem? Hilarious Translation Fails That Make No Sense
#21
Wholesale Fabric Shop or Winged Donkeys? Translation Fail That Will Crack You Up
#22
When Following Pool Rules Gets You Kicked Out – Translation Fail of the Century
#23
When You Want Meat but End Up Buying a Lamp Instead – Translation Gone Wild
#24
Don’t Feed the Flamingos? Hilarious Translation Mix-Up Confuses Llamas With Birds
#25
When Special Women and Men Collide: The Funniest Translation Fail You’ll See Today
#26
Pringles Ass Flvr? Hilarious Translation Fails You Won\'t Believe Are Real
#27
Toilet Sign Translation Gone Hilariously Wrong You Won’t Believe What It Says
#28
This Translation Fail Is So Bad It’s Clucking Hilarious and Hard to Forget
#29
Hilarious Translation Fails on Menus That Accidentally Serve Up Drama
Andrew Gibb 8 years ago
they are in the variety of dishes category- variety is the spice of life...
#30
When Your Dessert Turns Into a Crime Scene: The Decomposed Moscow Mule Menu Fail
#31
This Salad Translation Fail Says Pee Shoots Instead of Pea Shoots and It’s Hilarious
#32
Automatic Doors Warning Fails That Say Don’t Open Them Manuel Way
#33
Sign Says \"Stuff Only\" Instead of Staff in Hilarious Translation Fail You Can’t Miss
#34
You Won\'t Believe These Hilarious Food Translation Fails Featuring Frogs and Eels
#35
When Fish Start Making Wild Predictions The Funniest Translation Fails on Menus
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.
#36
Hilarious Translation Fail Turns Safety Rules Into “Debt Bather” Chaos
#37
Epic Translation Fail: When Bags Get Pregnant and Language Gets Weird
#38
Butt Sweets Shop Translation Fail Will Make You Do a Double Take
#39
Lost in Translation: When \"Throw Nothing\" Sounds Like a Toilet Riddle
#40
This Hilarious Translation Fail Turns \"No Shouting\" Into \"Do Not Cry\"
#41
Lost in Translation? Hilarious Signs Pointing to the Arrival Hole You Can’t Miss
#42
No Place to Park or Park No Place? Translation Fails That Defy Logic
#43
Hilarious Translation Fail Turns Simple Seafood Dish Into Salomon’s Squid Duet from Norway
#44
Translation Fail or Creepy Cuisine? When Menus Go Hilariously Wrong
#45
This Translation Fail Has a Serious Nuts Problem You Won\'t Believe
#46
Emergency Cock? Translation Fails That Prove Auto-Translate Needs a Manual Fix
#47
This Translation Fail Does Not Rest—And Neither Will You After Reading It
#48
Menu Mistakes: When Fried Crab Turns Into Fried Crap in Hilarious Translation Fails
#49
Epic Translation Fail Turns \"Parking\" Into \"Par King\" in Hilarious Sign Mix-Up
#50
English 102 Crash Course: Mastering Grammar and Riding at the Same Time
#51
\"Lost in Translation Fail: Why Saying Please Don’t No Smoke Will Crack You Up\"
#52
Lost in Translation: Swim Between Two Red Yellow Flags or Risk It!
#53
Wet Probability Warning Sign Fails That’ll Make You Question Science
#54
This English Teacher’s Translation Fail Will Make You Cringe and Laugh Out Loud
#55
Press the Flush Twice to Save Water? Translation Fail That Will Confuse You
Tayyib “T410” Cankat 8 years ago
Actually it is translated quite well. I think they mean "Press the flush button again to stop water"
#56
This Street Can\'t Walk While Eating So Please Eat Here or Else!
#57
Menu translation fail turns seafood into \"the cruelty mixed fishing\" disaster
#58
Pizza menu goes viral with a bizarre “smallpox” topping translation fail
#59
Please Don’t Throw The Toilet In The WC – Translation Fail That’s Just Too Real
#60
Arab Shat Fresh Fish Sign Proves Translation Fails Are Hilarious and Unforgettable
#61
This Hilarious Translation Fail Warns You Not To Lean Again—But When Did You Lean The First Time?
#62
This Bread Comes With Cold? Translation Fails That Make No Sense But Are Hilarious
#63
Expensively Customer Alert The Most Hilarious Taxi Translation Fail You’ll See Today
#64
Hilarious Translation Fail Tells You To Just Bring Your Hands – What?!
#65
Lost in Translation Sign Fails That Turn Simple Warnings Into Comedy Gold
#66
This Shop for Kissing Translation Fail Will Leave You Cracking Up Instantly
#67
Beware Broken Grass Sign Proves Translation Fails Are Hilariously Real
#68
When Menus Attack: Hilarious Translation Fails You Have to See to Believe
Tomatoe 8 years ago
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 :)
#69
Hilarious Translation Fail Asks You to Download Hangers Literally or Else!
#70
Epic Translation Fail Warns You About a Dangerously Confusing Roof Path
Verner Carlberg 8 years ago
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
#71
No Smocking Allowed How Translation Fails Turn Signs Into Comedy Gold
#72
You Won\'t Believe What This Menu Accidentally Says About Forest Stew
#73
Lost in Translation: When \"Do Not Get Groped\" Gets Way Too Literal
CatShatBrix 8 years ago
Rule one: do not get groped. It's every man/woman/cat for him/herself.
#74
When on Boat Please Wearing Airbags Is the Safety Advice You Didn’t Know You Needed
#75
You Won’t Believe What This “Skin Milk” Really Means in English Translation Fails
Willie D'Kay 8 years ago
Milk for your skin, right? Like a milk bath. This could actually work.
#76
Pharmacy Situation: Translation Fail That Will Make You Do a Double Take
#77
Translation Fail Alert Entrance Only with Herr Hitler Not What You Expected
#78
When Your Snack’s Named Puppy but Tastes Like Confusion – Translation Fail!
#79
Don\'t Throw \"Lilter\" or We\'ll Call the Police – Translation Gone Wrong
![Don\'t Throw \"Lilter\" or We\'ll Call the Police – Translation Gone Wrong](https://www.boredpanda.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/funny-translation-fail-77-59b0ebd7ef679__605.jpg?utm_campaign=rebelboost_true "Don\'t Throw \\"Lilter\\" or We\'ll Call the Police – Translation Gone Wrong")
#80
Please Don’t Upload The Presbyteries—Hilarious Translation Fail From A Church Sign
#81
When Menus Get Too Literal Spicy Brave Potatoes and Other Translation Fails
#82
Only Dratshang Can Pee Here Says the Most Exclusive Toilet Sign Ever
#83
Translation Fail Alert Fries Girl? These Hilarious Menu Blunders Will Make You Laugh
Joel Sánchez (kazer) 8 years ago
In some Spanish variants "chica" and "chico" mean "small", but they can also mean "girl" and "boy", respectively. Hence the confusion.
#84
When Your Seafood Menu Turns into a Hilarious Lost-in-Translation Adventure
#85
When a Menu Translation Goes Hilariously Wrong: Yellowtail Jew or Just a Fish?
#86
Translation Fails That Prove Auto-Translate Can Be Hilariously Wrong
#87
Translation Fail Alert The Clean First Mistake You Have to See to Believe
Verner Carlberg 8 years ago
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.
#88
Sausage Cocked in Wine and Other Hilarious Translation Fails You Can’t Miss
#89
When Translation Goes Wrong The Bells Do Not Touch Will Crack You Up
#90
Top 10 Hilarious Menu Translation Fails That Turn Food Into Comedy Gold
#91
Eggs Sheep and Frying Sli Impregnating: Hilarious Translation Fails from a Global Menu
#92
Menu Fails: When \'Itch Salad\' Sounds Way Less Appetizing Than It Should
#93
When Chicken Tights Take Over the Dinner Menu Translation Fails You Won’t Believe
#94
Epic Translation Fail: When Reset Button Becomes Reset Bottom and Confuses Everyone
#95
Translation Fail or Fashion Hack? Why This Store’s \'Downloads\' Will Crack You Up
#96
Hilarious Translation Fail Proves Falling at the Seaside Is Universal and Painful
Irene Argyris 8 years ago
The Italian translation is obviously correct, but it's probably the only one! :-D
#97
Snap the Garlic Mojo to the Orange? Hilarious Translation Fails You Need to See
#98
Mozzarella Ass for Sale: The Most Hilarious Translation Fail You’ll See Today
Konstantina Karampetsou 8 years ago
Ποικιλία (ποικ.) that is a miscellaneous collection of things translated to "assortment" (a*s) lol!!!
#99
This Translation Fail Confuses Clean and Dirty Like You’ve Never Seen Before
#100
This Trash Bin Mistake Translates to Hilariously Confused Garbage Sorting
#101
Hilarious Menu Translation Fails Like Grilled Chicken Breath You Have to See
#102
This Translation Fail Reads Like a Beefy Comedy Sketch You Can’t Miss
#103
50,100,200,500 Euros? Hilarious Translation Fail Will Confuse You Instantly
#104
When \"No Entrance\" Gets Lost in Translation and Leaves You Confused
#105
Work Hours Gone Wild The Ears of Morocco Take Over Evening Shifts
#106
Epic Translation Fail: When \"Fried Knob\" Makes the Menu Unforgettable
#107
Hilarious Toilet Sign Translation Fail That Will Confuse Every Visitor Instantly
#108
Toilet Translation Fail That Accidentally Bans Leg Standing Forever
#109
When Google Translate Goes Too Far The Services It’s Privates Will Shock You
#110
Pinchos or painful spikes? Hilarious translation fails that mix food with danger
#111
Visit the Cathedral\'s Royal Tombs and Roofs? Translation Fail You Have to See!
#112
Salad of the Day and Other Hilarious Translation Fails You Can’t Miss
#113
Parking Closed or Surrounded Parking? Translation Fail Confuses Everyone
#114
Translation Gone Wild: When Menus Serve You “Pandemonium Salad” and Pepper in Dairy Cream
#115
When Google Calls the Taj Mahal \"Goats Mosque\" and You Can’t Unsee It
#116
Menu Mishap: When Burn Cream Sounds Like a French Dessert Disaster
Douglas Campbell 8 years ago
Brulee means burn... You burn the sugar on the custard under a broiler, so?
#117
Notice the Last Step Coming Down Translation Fail That Will Make You Laugh
Lindsay Ameye 8 years ago
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.
#118
Hope and Please Entrance for Cars Non Stop Before The Door Thanks Agrsat Goodfromgod Translation Fail
#119
\"Translation Fail Turns Delicious Menu Into Hilariously Greedy Formula\"
Willie D'Kay 8 years ago
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.
#120
Lost in Translation People Mover Sounds More Like a Dance Move Than a Ride
#121
This Crosswalk is So Humped It’s Hard to Believe It’s Real
#122
Salon Hanna Mansour Beouty Centr: Translation Fail That Will Make You Do a Double Take
#123
Conditioning Access to Users Responsibility Will Confuse Anyone Walking By
#124
Menu Translation Fail Shows Greedy Caramel Macaron and More Hilarious Flavors
#125
Green Onion Leaves or Just Onions? The Translation Fail That Baffles Shoppers
#126
When \"Free Toilets\" Sounds Like You\'re Giving Away Bathrooms – Translation Fails Exposed
Kristen Hdz 8 years ago
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.
#127
Strictly Forbidden? Translation Fail Warns Mountain Bikers Like Never Before
#128
When Your Coffee Is Free Because They Forgot the Invoice – Translation Gone Wrong
Kristen Hdz 8 years ago
meh, it's accurate, albeit slightly awkward. factura can be invoice, bill, check (as in a restaurant)... makes sense.
#129
Marinated Flap Meat Translation Fail That Will Make You Cringe and Laugh
#130
Translation Fails: When Lion’s Drink and Cindrella Ruin Your Order Every Time
#131
Warning or Rest in Peace? Hilarious Beach Sign Translation Gone Wrong
#132
Translation Gone Wrong Warning Bathing Without Rescue Squad Is Risky
Philippe Lessard 8 years ago
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
#133
Lost in Translation The Funniest Sign Fails You Must See at the Exit
#134
Milk, Fish, Tree? Hilariously Wrong Translations That Make No Sense
Arend Kant 8 years ago
Not a translation but a replacement. The translation wouldn´t have made any sense.
#135
People With Kids on Their Lap Must Test Chairlift Safety Lock or Else
José Gouvêa 7 years ago
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.
#136
Translation Fail Alert Keep Off The Law or Else You’ll Be Prosecuted
Willie D'Kay 8 years ago
Some of these signs are just missing a single letter. I probably wouldn't notice if I made a sign in a different language.
#137
Motor Disabilities Path or Epic Translation Fail? You Decide!
#138
Mediation or Meditation? This Prayer Room Sign Mess-Up Is Priceless
Jörg Zingler 8 years ago
Ermm, whats wrong with this translation? Thats Political Correctnes German style.
#139
When Translation Goes Wrong Good Appetite Or Not This Is Hilarious
Hanno Van Der Woude 8 years ago
There is no exact translation. But most english speaking people will say "Enjoy your meal".
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.
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What do you think ?
Daria B 8 years ago
These are why AI is a loooooong long way from stealing jobs from the human translators.
DaisyAppreciation 8 years ago
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.
Daria B 8 years ago
These are why AI is a loooooong long way from stealing jobs from the human translators.
DaisyAppreciation 8 years ago
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.
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