Humorous Examples

At Language Translation, Inc., we see examples of inaccurate translations almost daily. While these may seem funny to us, they are serious errors to the companies who wish to sell their products and services in the global market. That said, you are welcome to take a moment to share a laugh:

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A while back, Hilary Clinton gives Mr. Lavrov a present representing a “resetting” of the relationship between those countries. Instead of saying “reset” the message on the present said “overcharge” in Russian.

When Signs Go "Bad"

In China there is a restaurant called “Translate server error”. The owner tried to translate the Chinese word for restaurant into English but the machine translation errored out.

People in other countries sometimes go out of their way to communicate with their English-speaking tourists. Here is a list of signs seen around the world.

Cocktail lounge, Norway:
Ladies are Requested Not to have Children in the Bar

At a Budapest zoo:
PLEASE DO NOT FEED THE ANIMALS. If you have any suitable food, give it to the guard on duty

Hotel, Acapulco:
The Manager has Personally Passed All the Water Served Here

Car rental brochure, Tokyo:
"When passenger of foot heave in sight, tootle the horn. Trumpet him melodiously at first, but if he still obstacles your passage then tootle him with vigor."

On an Athi River highway:
TAKE NOTICE: When this sign is under water, this road is impassable.

Tokyo hotel's rules and regulations:
Guests are requested NOT to smoke or do other disgusting behaviors in bed.

Hotel lobby, Bucharest:
The lift is being fixed for the next day. During that time we regret that you will be unbearable.

Hotel elevator, Paris:
Please leave your values at the front desk.

Hotel, Japan:
You are invited to take advantage of the chambermaid.

Supermarket, Hong Kong:
For your convenience, we recommend courteous, efficient self-service.

Hotel, Zurich:
Because of the impropriety of entertaining guests of the opposite sex in the bedroom, is it suggested that the lobby be used for this purpose.

Airline ticket office, Copenhagen:
We take your bags and send them in all directions.

War museum on the River Kwai, Thailand:
The Museum is building now - sorry for the visitor

Japanese hotel room:
Please to bathe inside the tub.

Belgrade hotel elevator:
To move the cabin, push button for wishing floor. If the cabin should enter more persons, each one should press a number of wishing floor. Driving is then going alphabetically by national order.

Athens hotel:
Visitors are expected to complain at the office between the hours of 9 and 11 A.M. daily.