When you don’t know how to speak a foreign language, you ask someone to translate things for you. And when you can’t find someone to do that, you find a tool to help you out. With technology and today’s innovation, that’s not a hard thing to do. In fact, you can access Google Translate, a machine translation service developed by Google, anytime and anywhere.
The problem with such services is accuracy. Although they can translate words and phrases, it doesn’t mean that all of their translations are correct. In some cases, their translations suggest very different meanings and that causes problems.
To give you an idea, here are some of the best Chinese translation fails of all time.
1. Do not step on the living grass.
I wouldn’t even dare set my feet on that adorable grass. It would feel like crushing someone’s dream.
2. Exotic flavor
Ethnican is not the same as exotic. Nonetheless, it still delivered the same idea.
3. Are you the best?
I don’t think urinating into the pool makes you the best person. Saving water, flushing timely, and protecting public property might.
4. Wang-flavored
This is Korean-seasoned seaweed. It tastes quite good if you ask me.
5. Words from Thomas Edison
I know Thomas Edison has said a lot of inspiring words throughout his lifetime. I also know that this isn’t one of them.
6. Coconut jelly candy
Anyone who likes macapuno candy should think twice before eating this one. It might turn you into a mutant.
7. Be civil.
“Let others off first before getting on for an enjoyable bus ride.” That sounds like something you can relate to being civil.
8. Please wait behind the one meter line.
Well, that’s a good reference. The next time I need to wait outside, I’ll make sure I’m one rice-flour noodle away from the entrance.
9. Unpackaged dried fruits
Whoever made this sign is probably having a bad day at work. There’s really no need to curse when you’re simply selling unpackaged dried fruits.
10. Under Construction
There’s nothing about that sign that suggests the place is under construction. It looks more like it’s telling people to stay away from a potential crime scene.
11. Come this way.
If you were to follow that sign and go that way, it suggests that you do so by walking. It’s a good way to burn those extra calories.
12. Gynecology and Obstetrics
If I were to get myself checked, this is probably the last place I’ll go. The wrong translations imply a poor service.
13. No shiting
This is a good reminder for everyone in public places. It’s never a good idea to poop when everyone can see you.
14. Danger
This is probably the place you need to go to if you want to feel the thrill of danger. It’s the only place that will remind you to be careful about being safe.
15. Disposable items
Someone was thinking of something else when writing that sign. The “translation” doesn’t suggest disposable items in any way.
16. Fire Extinguisher
In case of fire, I bet the fire extinguisher is the last one people will try to get ahold of. It looks like it’s meant to do more harm than end a fire.
17. Hazardous waste
If something is hazardous, it has to be poisonous and evil. Throw it right away before someone gets hurt.
18. Sexual harassment
Sexual German harassment is way too far from the dish’s name which is salty pork leg, German flavor. It’s also the only wrong translation in that menu. I wonder what happened there.
19. Cafe Latte
No matter how hard I try to figure it out, I still can’t get any word to relate to a cafe latte. The only thing that suggests it’s a coffee drink are the words “coffee flavor”.
20. That’s what you get
Well, I say it’s a pretty good reason to cook the chicken. If one’s being rude and unreasonable, add it right away to your hot and spicy chicken dish.
21. Together
It was a good thing that both of them made it into the same beef dish. Husbands and wives aren’t supposed to get separated, right?
22. No harm done.
No need to call the police and law enforcers. No kid was harmed in making this shredded meat product for children.
23. Whatever
If you often find yourself arguing with a partner or a friend about what to eat, this menu is for you. It’s “whatever” dish sounds pretty exciting and terrifying at the same time.
24. The odd dishes
I’m not sure which is more bothering between the dish with the cat ear or the one with a rotten child. For safety, I suggest you don’t choose any of the two.
25. With garbage?
I’ll remember not to order mala green beans, particularly if it’s cooked with garbage.
26. Too harsh
This sign is honest but rude. The people who did this could have picked more subtle words than moron and psychopaths.
27. Hot soup
Although the translation is wrong, it’s still pretty close. Be careful when handling the soup while it’s hot.
28. When you deep fry pork intestines
Why did they choose the word “explode” when they actually deep fry the pork intestine? Perhaps, it’s the oil splatters.
29. Don’t get distracted.
It’s probably rude to stare at the king while he passes by. I’d certainly remember not to get distracted while walking next time I see this sign.
30. Don’t trample on the grass.
At first, it looks like the grass is asking you to smile. In reality, the actual text is asking that you don’t tread on and crush the grass.
31. Stay away from the water.
This reminder for people to stay away from the water is quite misleading. Instead of asking people to stay away, it tells them to take the child and fall into the water.
32. Watch your head.
Based on what I know, the crotch isn’t on the top part of the human body. I wonder where they got the idea for this sign.
33. Who is Paul?
Poor paul. He has a department entirely dedicated to hating him. I wonder what he did to deserve that wrath. Seriously speaking, however, this is just the sign to the security and protection department.
34. Exit
Export and exit both relate to a movement going outside. It’s probably the reason for this mix-up.
35. Home toolkit
If a manicurist takes out this set for my nails, I’ll probably run away as fast as I can. Those tools won’t just remove my dead skin cells but all of my nails, too.
36. Just a wet floor
This is just a sign about the floor being wet. There’s no need to panic about a landslide happening.
37. Forgive the translation
An interior fitting was happening at this point. No one was suffering from incontinence or making a mess anywhere.
38. Hand Drier
It’s probably common for them to get their phones wet in the toilet. I just hope they don’t follow what this sign says and bake their cellphones with the hand driers.
39. Luggage claim
As a foreigner in that country, I’d feel afraid of leaving my luggage. It’s like someone’s going to take it away from me anytime.
40. The button for smallpox
If you push that button, you won’t get smallpox. It’s just the button for the ceiling lights.
41. Cashier
If you see this sign, you’ll probably think that the establishment isn’t accepting paper bills and other coins. The original text, however, simply means “Cashier”.
42. Rest room
I’m pretty sure that activity isn’t something you should be doing in public. Furthermore, the way the sign depicts women is also odd.
43. The end place
If you are someone with a disability, you won’t find this seat welcoming even if you know it’s reserved for people like you. Apart from that it’s insulting, the “end place” part is also disturbing.
44. Many, many human lives
This ad started out good but got quite messed up in the last part. What it’s trying to say is that the rooms in the hostel can be shared by 3 to 4 persons or more.
45. No, they won’t be fine.
One word can change the entire meaning of a sentence. In this case, anyone who thinks of breaking the rule won’t feel fearful because he knows he’ll be fine.
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