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Great English Translations

21
votes

I know this must happen in all languages but I just had to share these with you. Some of them are so funny.

Funny English around the world

In a Bangkok temple:

It is forbidden to enter a woman, even a foreigner, if dressed as a man.

Cocktail lounge, Norway:

Ladies are requested not to have children in the bar.

Doctor’s office, Rome :

Specialist in women and other diseases.

Dry cleaners, Bangkok :

Drop your trousers here for the best results

In a Nairobi restaurant:

Customers who find our waitresses rude ought to see the manager.

On the main road to Mombasa , leaving Nairobi :

Take notice: when this sign is under water, this road is impassable.

On a poster at Kenco:

Are you an adult that cannot read? if so we can help.

In a city restaurant:

Open seven days a week and weekends.

In a cemetery:

Persons are prohibited from picking flowers from any but their own graves .

Tokyo hotel's rules and regulations:

Guests are requested not to smoke or do other disgusting behaviours in bed.

On the menu of a Swiss restaurant:

Our wines leave you nothing to hope for.

In a Tokyo bar:

Special cocktails for the ladies with nuts.

Hotel, Yugoslavia:

The flattening of underwear with pleasure is the job of the chambermaid.

Hotel, Japan:

You are invited to take advantage of the chambermaid.

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.

A sign posted in Germany 's black forest :

It is strictly forbidden on our black forest camping site that people of different sex, for instance, men and women, live together in one tent unless they are married with each other for this purpose.

Hotel, Zurich :

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

Advertisement for donkey rides, Thailand :

Would you like to ride on your own ass?

Airline ticket office, Copenhagen :

We take your bags and send them in all directions.

A laundry in rome :

Ladies, leave your clothes here and spend the afternoon having a good time

2693 views
updated Jul 26, 2010
posted by Eddy
Wow, that was quick vote, about 5 seconds. - Eddy, Jul 24, 2010
rofl - Izanoni1, Jul 24, 2010
I absolutely love the one about the black forest! - Gekkosan, Jul 24, 2010
Great! - 00d7cd75, Jul 24, 2010
These are great!!...Did you see these signs yourself? - Lucrecia, Jul 24, 2010
"Specialist in women and other diseases." ?!?!? :( - MeEncantanCarasSonrisas, Jul 24, 2010
Great examples of when meaning is 'lost in translation' haha - Cardiff1985, Jul 24, 2010

7 Answers

4
votes

In Hotel in Romania.

"The lift is out of service so you will be unbearable for several days"

updated Jul 24, 2010
posted by ian-hill
Climbing stairs for several days does make some unbearable. So this is true and funny. :) - Nicole-B, Jul 24, 2010
I know, I live on the 13th floor and sometimes the lifts don't work. At 8500 feet that is not funny and I get grumpy. - ian-hill, Jul 24, 2010
3
votes

Sign at a gas station in RI, USA:

Genetic cigarettes are sold here.

updated Jul 24, 2010
posted by Lucrecia
3
votes

These are very funny!

Airline ticket office, Copenhagen :

We take your bags and send them in all directions.

I actually thought this was the motto for all of the major airlines. wink LOL

updated Jul 24, 2010
posted by Nicole-B
Now I didn't say some of them weren't true, hehe. - Eddy, Jul 24, 2010
I just love the Bangkok temple translation. - Eddy, Jul 24, 2010
Mí también. - Nicole-B, Jul 24, 2010
2
votes

This one in china

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updated Jul 24, 2010
posted by Vaanz
2
votes

These are from India

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updated Jul 24, 2010
posted by Vaanz
1
vote

I recall a menu on the Costa Brava Rape a la Marinera translated as "Rape, Seaman Style grin

updated Jul 26, 2010
posted by lagartijaverde
Yes, I've seen this in Spain too. Not knowing quite what to expect, I opted for "lubina" / "seabass" instead. :) - peregrinamaria, Jul 26, 2010
1
vote

Bulletin by a church:

4:30 Weight watchers meeting. Please use double doors at the west side of building.

updated Jul 24, 2010
posted by Austin67427