Yay, it’s Translation Fails time! It’s a topic that makes it way quite frequently to this silly travel blog.
And of course, it’s thanks to the extremely reliable ‘doesn’t quite translate very well into English’ source of mine, Brett Minor. He used to live in Beijing in China, but he’s now moved on to Vietnam. Check out his blog at The Transformed Nonconformist.
He kindly let me borrow almost every single translation fail photograph he’s ever taken in China.
Some of those little pieces of gold have included:
- Grim Casserole
- The Funny Dental Hospital sign
- How To Do The Laundry Instructions
- Bad Beauty Salon Spelling
- The Don’t Forget Me Jacket
- Urine Problems that really take the piss
- The dubious Recycling Bin
- Abibas… and
- The Mariboro Hat!
Translation Fails For Your Viewing Pleasure!
And they cover a wide range of things. Here we go!
And I’ve included some captions to help out!
Bodybuilding
Courage to take dedicated.. what… steroids?
Jewellers
7 Carats is a plan for your future to spend the rest of your life paying this large rock off!
Smoking
Go the Cigah!
Beverages
Spot the word that’s missing an ‘en’
Disney! Specifically, Micky Mouse!
Surely ‘Mickpy’ isn’t a brand infringement?
Nature
Sometimes, being natural just doesn’t make sense!
Clothing
Oh no. I hope this kid doesn’t travel to an English speaking country wearing this outfit!
Toilets
So I’m guessing there are countless toilets in China that are full of ….
Motivators
When you mix up your inspirational quotes. The other sign must be ‘sing like no one is watching you having sex’
Hot Food
WTF? So you can’t have food that is both spicy AND with heat?
Schools
Huh? Is this in the school curriculum?
Dentistry
Must be the best dentist in town…
More toilet stuff
Yes, it’s important!
Warning Signs
Or the grass will step you!
I’m guessing – more toilets?
Is this the men’s or ladies?
Ha ha, thanks Brett for keeping this blog alive for another week.
How about you? What’s the funniest translation you’ve seen on your travels?
Let us know and make the world laugh!
LOL on all of ’em! Especially the Eff Off on the kids sweats. Very funny. Good advice on how to use the toilet too hahaha….great stuff as always Anthony.
No worries, glad to take up more of your time that you’ll never get back! 🙂
I love seeing that picture of Jack. I had forgotten about that picture.
He was one of my students. Those pants did not show the words when he was standing. They had little flaps in front of the knees that only exposed the words when the legs were bent.
Neither he nor his mother had any idea what those words meant.
Ha ha, but you knew… 😛