Mis-translations
People sometimes say funny things in their own language – I’m sure you can think of some! But when it comes to using somebody else’s language, it can be funnier still! If you have any funny mis-translations that you have come across, e-mail them in telling us where you found them.
Remember though – you can probably still understand what they meant to say, and the key point is communication. Don’t be afraid of having a go – and if you raise a smile then so much the better! Unless you’re a translator, it’s not compulsory to get it absolutely right.
Click on the country or region to find translations of signs from all around the world.
Africa
Asia
Austria
France
Germany
Greece
Italy
Mexico
Romania
Russia
Scandinavia
Serbia
Spain
Switzerland
Africa
Ethiopia, Hotel:
To call room service, please open door and call Room Service. Please call quiet, people may sleep.
Asia
Hotel, Seoul:
Choose twin bed or marriage size; we regret no King Kong size.
Supermarket, Hong Kong:
For your convenience, we recommend courteous, efficient self-service.
Outside a dress shop, Hong Kong:
Ladies have fits upstairs.
An advertisement by a Hong Kong dentist:
Teeth extracted by the latest methodists.
In a Tokyo shop:
Our nylons cost more than common, but you'll find they are the best in the long run.
Information booklet about using a hotel air conditioner, Japan:
Cooles and heates: if you want just condition of warm air in your room, please control yourself.
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.
Detour sign in Kyushi, Japan:
Stop. Drive sideways.
Dry cleaner's, Bangkok:
Drop your trousers here for the best results.
Instructions on a Korean flight:
Upon arrival at Kimpo and Kimahie Airport, please wear your clothes
Chapter title from a book about the history of the Garuda airline, Indonesia:
Total Quality Qontrol
On a luggage trolley at Singapore Airport:
Not to be removed from Crewe Station
Hotel Pingyao, China:
Gussethouse
Hotel, Seoul :
Choose twin bed or marriage size; we regret no King Kong size
Austria
Hotel catering to skiers, Austria:
Not to perambulate the corridors in the hours of repose in the boots of ascension.
Hotel, Vienna:
In case of fire, do your utmost to alarm the hotel porter.
France
Hotel elevator, Paris:
Please leave your values at the front desk.
Translations spotted on a menu, Paris:
Chicken of the chief (poulet du chef)
Omelette with the plugs (omelette aux lardons)
Gratin of lawyer to the three cheeses (gratin d'avocat aux trois
fromages)
Plate of crudenesses (assiette de crudités)
Sign on a metal-detector scanner in France:
People wtih peace-maker do not pass
Germany
In a Leipzig elevator:
Do not enter the lift backwards, and only when lit up.
Greece
Hotel, Athens:
Visitors are expected to complain at the office between the hours of 9 and 11 am daily.
Tailor shop, Rhodes:
Order your summers suit. Because is big rush, we will execute customers in strict rotation.
Italy
Hotel brochure, Italy:
This hotel is renowned for its peace and solitude. In fact, crowds from all over the world flock here to enjoy its solitude.
Hotel, Rome:
Please dial 7 to retrieve your auto from the garbage
Mexico
Acapulco, Hotel:
The manager has personally passed all the water served here
Romania
Hotel lobby, Bucharest:
The lift is being fixed for the next day. During that time we regret that you will be unbearable.
Russia
In the lobby of a Moscow hotel across from a Russian Orthodox monastery:
You are welcome to visit the cemetery where famous russian and soviet composers, artists, and writers are buried daily except thursday.
From the "Soviet Weekly":
There will be a moscow exhibition of arts by 15,000 soviet republic painters and sculptors. These were executed over the past two years.
Scandinavia
Airline ticket office, Copenhagen:
We take your bags and send them in all directions.
Cocktail lounge, Norway:
Ladies are requested not to have children in the bar.
Serbia
Hotel elevator, Belgrade:
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.
Spain
On an airsickness bag on a Spanish aeroplane:
Bags to be used in case of sickness or to gather remains.
Torremolinos, Hotel:
We highly recommend the hotel tart.
Switzerland
On the menu of a Swiss restaurant:
Our wines leave you nothing to hope for.
In a Swiss mountain inn:
Special today - no ice-cream.
Hotel brochure, Zurich:
WE have nice bath and are very good in bed.