If you’re running a business in a tourist-heavy country, having signage in English is a smart move. However, your smarts go out the window if the English translations you display turn into the wrong kind of funny jokes. We understand that not everyone knows the language well enough not to get lost in translation, but please—don’t trust Google Translate to give you anything but a literal conversion of whatever you type in, turning your sign into a hilariously bad translation.
Machine Translation Fails
Each language is an intricate system. Knowing the literal meaning of each word will only get you so far and is definitely not enough to make a good translation. Unfortunately, this is exactly where machine translators fail spectacularly and produce awfully bad translated signs. They are still learning how to deal with a language as a living organism, not just a bunch of nouns and verbs.
Well, to be fair on translation tools, it’s possible that some of these errors were just honest typos. Either way, scroll down to see the funniest bad translations people have come across during their travels and vote for the most epic fails. Also, is anyone up for a nice ‘decomposed Moscow mule’ later?
#1 Eating Carpet?

Image source: justinrosslee
#2 Hilarious Translation Fail Turns “Ice Cream” Into “Ice Cream In The Ass”

Image source: BraunFilm
#3 Translation Fail Turns “Clean Beach” Into Hilarious Public Warning Gone Wrong

Image source: simonveliky
#4 Epic Translation Fail Makes Elevator Sound Like a Sci-Fi Disaster Beyond Control

Image source: therealviiru
#5 Paul Is Dead Or Just Meatballs?

Image source: Awatef Rasheed
#6 High Maintenance Chick Salon Fails That Will Make You Laugh Out Loud

Image source: timmyvee
#7 Hilarious Translation Fail Leaves Drivers Confused About Dead Slow Kids Playing

#8 Toilet or Temple? Hilarious Translation Fail Calls Bathroom a Place of Prayer

Image source: wanderlust_express
#9 You Won’t Believe This Chicken Shop’s Brutal Translation Fail That’ll Crack You Up

Image source: BizarroCullen
#10 This Cheese Will Leave You Literally Paralysed Try It at Your Own Risk

Image source: ohmz
#11 When Translation Goes Too Far Dental Lab Gets a Seriously Awkward Name

#12 This Perfume Shop’s Name Is Hilariously Lost in Translation and You Won’t Believe It

#13 When Translation Goes Wild The Clothes Store You Didn’t Expect to See

#14 Turn on the Vacuum Cleaner While Showering? Translation Fail You Have to See to Believe

Image source: clayton_gash
#15 Evil Saloon for Men or Just a Hair-Raising Translation Fail You Can’t Miss

Image source: BizarroCullen
#16 Than “Q” For Not Smoking Confuses Everyone With Hilarious Translation Blunder

#17 This Cream Milk Contains Coconut Humans and Other Hilarious Translation Fails You Have to See

Image source: LanguageInTouch
#18 Lost in Translation: When Fish Dishes Take a Wildly Wrong Turn

Image source: allyaston
#19 Menu Mishaps: When Dog Turds and Sheep Turds Sound Like Tasty Tidbits

#20 Do Not Use The Problem? Hilarious Translation Fails That Make No Sense

Image source: rdilaracelik
#21 Wholesale Fabric Shop or Winged Donkeys? Translation Fail That Will Crack You Up

Image source: mikesinasia
#22 When Following Pool Rules Gets You Kicked Out – Translation Fail of the Century

Image source: ameenagorton
#23 When You Want Meat but End Up Buying a Lamp Instead – Translation Gone Wild

Image source: April Tosch Jamjoon
#24 Don’t Feed the Flamingos? Hilarious Translation Mix-Up Confuses Llamas With Birds

Image source: faithmalay
#25 When Special Women and Men Collide: The Funniest Translation Fail You’ll See Today

Image source: majdo64
#26 Pringles Ass Flvr? Hilarious Translation Fails You Won’t Believe Are Real

#27 Toilet Sign Translation Gone Hilariously Wrong You Won’t Believe What It Says

#28 This Translation Fail Is So Bad It’s Clucking Hilarious and Hard to Forget

#29 Hilarious Translation Fails on Menus That Accidentally Serve Up Drama

Image source: ThamtheTerrible
#30 When Your Dessert Turns Into a Crime Scene: The Decomposed Moscow Mule Menu Fail

Image source: lukeh
#31 This Salad Translation Fail Says Pee Shoots Instead of Pea Shoots and It’s Hilarious

Image source: zvstrack
#32 Automatic Doors Warning Fails That Say Don’t Open Them Manuel Way

Image source: sonicspunk
#33 Sign Says “Stuff Only” Instead of Staff in Hilarious Translation Fail You Can’t Miss

Image source: travelprincess99
#34 You Won’t Believe These Hilarious Food Translation Fails Featuring Frogs and Eels

Image source: jakelovescoffee
#35 When Fish Start Making Wild Predictions The Funniest Translation Fails on Menus

Image source: Super English
#36 Hilarious Translation Fail Turns Safety Rules Into “Debt Bather” Chaos

Image source: SquilliamFancysonIII
#37 Epic Translation Fail: When Bags Get Pregnant and Language Gets Weird

Image source: Naim Halawi
#38 Butt Sweets Shop Translation Fail Will Make You Do a Double Take

Image source: 78_streetlife
#39 Lost in Translation: When “Throw Nothing” Sounds Like a Toilet Riddle

Image source: jmack_pei
#40 This Hilarious Translation Fail Turns “No Shouting” Into “Do Not Cry”

Image source: tefocoto
#41 Lost in Translation? Hilarious Signs Pointing to the Arrival Hole You Can’t Miss

Image source: overafrica
#42 No Place to Park or Park No Place? Translation Fails That Defy Logic

Image source: alexf_plan
#43 Hilarious Translation Fail Turns Simple Seafood Dish Into Salomon’s Squid Duet from Norway

Image source: fti_english
#44 Translation Fail or Creepy Cuisine? When Menus Go Hilariously Wrong

Image source: wilfredspringer
#45 This Translation Fail Has a Serious Nuts Problem You Won’t Believe

#46 Emergency Cock? Translation Fails That Prove Auto-Translate Needs a Manual Fix

Image source: imgur.com
#47 This Translation Fail Does Not Rest—And Neither Will You After Reading It

Image source: sailorlu70
#48 Menu Mistakes: When Fried Crab Turns Into Fried Crap in Hilarious Translation Fails

Image source: theantidotesg
#49 Epic Translation Fail Turns “Parking” Into “Par King” in Hilarious Sign Mix-Up

#50 English 102 Crash Course: Mastering Grammar and Riding at the Same Time

#51 “Lost in Translation Fail: Why Saying Please Don’t No Smoke Will Crack You Up”

Image source: vmsanabria
#52 Lost in Translation: Swim Between Two Red Yellow Flags or Risk It!

Image source: williampoetra
#53 Wet Probability Warning Sign Fails That’ll Make You Question Science

Image source: juliachepurnova0103
#54 This English Teacher’s Translation Fail Will Make You Cringe and Laugh Out Loud

#55 Press the Flush Twice to Save Water? Translation Fail That Will Confuse You

Image source: signspotting.com
#56 This Street Can’t Walk While Eating So Please Eat Here or Else!

Image source: sichengorange
#57 Menu translation fail turns seafood into “the cruelty mixed fishing” disaster

Image source: frannyesca
#58 Pizza menu goes viral with a bizarre “smallpox” topping translation fail

Image source: melmccrimmon
#59 Please Don’t Throw The Toilet In The WC – Translation Fail That’s Just Too Real

Image source: titi.thibault
#60 Arab Shat Fresh Fish Sign Proves Translation Fails Are Hilarious and Unforgettable

#61 This Hilarious Translation Fail Warns You Not To Lean Again—But When Did You Lean The First Time?

Image source: blankacal
#62 This Bread Comes With Cold? Translation Fails That Make No Sense But Are Hilarious

Image source: thierryroget
#63 Expensively Customer Alert The Most Hilarious Taxi Translation Fail You’ll See Today

Image source: thaia
#64 Hilarious Translation Fail Tells You To Just Bring Your Hands – What?!

Image source: mordefly
#65 Lost in Translation Sign Fails That Turn Simple Warnings Into Comedy Gold

Image source: xxlumian
#66 This Shop for Kissing Translation Fail Will Leave You Cracking Up Instantly

Image source: Gsm_Arena
#67 Beware Broken Grass Sign Proves Translation Fails Are Hilariously Real

Image source: lanilanibobani
#68 When Menus Attack: Hilarious Translation Fails You Have to See to Believe

Image source: kbichlmaier
#69 Hilarious Translation Fail Asks You to Download Hangers Literally or Else!

#70 Epic Translation Fail Warns You About a Dangerously Confusing Roof Path

Image source: shulma
#71 No Smocking Allowed How Translation Fails Turn Signs Into Comedy Gold

Image source: aivarlaan
#72 You Won’t Believe What This Menu Accidentally Says About Forest Stew

Image source: tumvanten
#73 Lost in Translation: When “Do Not Get Groped” Gets Way Too Literal

Image source: chalkleyamy
#74 When on Boat Please Wearing Airbags Is the Safety Advice You Didn’t Know You Needed

Image source: hollatothemountains
#75 You Won’t Believe What This “Skin Milk” Really Means in English Translation Fails

Image source: buttondownrob
#76 Pharmacy Situation: Translation Fail That Will Make You Do a Double Take

#77 Translation Fail Alert Entrance Only with Herr Hitler Not What You Expected

Image source: realhauke
#78 When Your Snack’s Named Puppy but Tastes Like Confusion – Translation Fail!

Image source: dcocopuff9
#79 Don’t Throw “Lilter” or We’ll Call the Police – Translation Gone Wrong

Image source: madse
#80 Please Don’t Upload The Presbyteries—Hilarious Translation Fail From A Church Sign

Image source: donbarger
#81 When Menus Get Too Literal Spicy Brave Potatoes and Other Translation Fails

Image source: michaelweasel69
#82 Only Dratshang Can Pee Here Says the Most Exclusive Toilet Sign Ever

#83 Translation Fail Alert Fries Girl? These Hilarious Menu Blunders Will Make You Laugh

Image source: frankmtbphoto
#84 When Your Seafood Menu Turns into a Hilarious Lost-in-Translation Adventure

Image source: girlonvoyage
#85 When a Menu Translation Goes Hilariously Wrong: Yellowtail Jew or Just a Fish?

Image source: rainbow_road_krew
#86 Translation Fails That Prove Auto-Translate Can Be Hilariously Wrong

#87 Translation Fail Alert The Clean First Mistake You Have to See to Believe

Image source: HABALdotCOM
#88 Sausage Cocked in Wine and Other Hilarious Translation Fails You Can’t Miss

Image source: lg3
#89 When Translation Goes Wrong The Bells Do Not Touch Will Crack You Up

Image source: sashka7
#90 Top 10 Hilarious Menu Translation Fails That Turn Food Into Comedy Gold

Image source: healthyfood_happymood
#91 Eggs Sheep and Frying Sli Impregnating: Hilarious Translation Fails from a Global Menu

Image source: JoostHiltermann
#92 Menu Fails: When ‘Itch Salad’ Sounds Way Less Appetizing Than It Should

Image source: Susie of Arabia
#93 When Chicken Tights Take Over the Dinner Menu Translation Fails You Won’t Believe

Image source: Susie of Arabia
#94 Epic Translation Fail: When Reset Button Becomes Reset Bottom and Confuses Everyone

Image source: jaskholm
#95 Translation Fail or Fashion Hack? Why This Store’s ‘Downloads’ Will Crack You Up

#96 Hilarious Translation Fail Proves Falling at the Seaside Is Universal and Painful

Image source: chimpi_ole
#97 Snap the Garlic Mojo to the Orange? Hilarious Translation Fails You Need to See

Image source: cosmogirltravels
#98 Mozzarella Ass for Sale: The Most Hilarious Translation Fail You’ll See Today

Image source: erinrachel94
#99 This Translation Fail Confuses Clean and Dirty Like You’ve Never Seen Before

Image source: benmagroup_traducciones
#100 This Trash Bin Mistake Translates to Hilariously Confused Garbage Sorting

Image source: ledresch
#101 Hilarious Menu Translation Fails Like Grilled Chicken Breath You Have to See

Image source: kemenecker
#102 This Translation Fail Reads Like a Beefy Comedy Sketch You Can’t Miss

Image source: bejcarm
#103 50,100,200,500 Euros? Hilarious Translation Fail Will Confuse You Instantly

Image source: reza.moaleji
#104 When “No Entrance” Gets Lost in Translation and Leaves You Confused

Image source: 1adastra1
#105 Work Hours Gone Wild The Ears of Morocco Take Over Evening Shifts

#106 Epic Translation Fail: When “Fried Knob” Makes the Menu Unforgettable

Image source: bealocalvalencia
#107 Hilarious Toilet Sign Translation Fail That Will Confuse Every Visitor Instantly

Image source: steffnbo
#108 Toilet Translation Fail That Accidentally Bans Leg Standing Forever

Image source: eloisealexander
#109 When Google Translate Goes Too Far The Services It’s Privates Will Shock You

Image source: translationfail
#110 Pinchos or painful spikes? Hilarious translation fails that mix food with danger

Image source: glitterhelado
#111 Visit the Cathedral’s Royal Tombs and Roofs? Translation Fail You Have to See!

Image source: fullerpeter
#112 Salad of the Day and Other Hilarious Translation Fails You Can’t Miss

Image source: ojsharp
#113 Parking Closed or Surrounded Parking? Translation Fail Confuses Everyone

Image source: t_a_n_j_e_e
#114 Translation Gone Wild: When Menus Serve You “Pandemonium Salad” and Pepper in Dairy Cream

Image source: tan_jah
#115 When Google Calls the Taj Mahal “Goats Mosque” and You Can’t Unsee It

Image source: hyouba
#116 Menu Mishap: When Burn Cream Sounds Like a French Dessert Disaster

Image source: sana_qadar
#117 Notice the Last Step Coming Down Translation Fail That Will Make You Laugh

Image source: zwaff
#118 Hope and Please Entrance for Cars Non Stop Before The Door Thanks Agrsat Goodfromgod Translation Fail

Image source: BizarroCullen
#119 “Translation Fail Turns Delicious Menu Into Hilariously Greedy Formula”

Image source: lifesafeast
#120 Lost in Translation People Mover Sounds More Like a Dance Move Than a Ride

Image source: mimityson
#121 This Crosswalk is So Humped It’s Hard to Believe It’s Real

Image source: ellageen21photoj
#122 Salon Hanna Mansour Beouty Centr: Translation Fail That Will Make You Do a Double Take

Image source: Mamoun Saudi
#123 Conditioning Access to Users Responsibility Will Confuse Anyone Walking By

Image source: jen4902
#124 Menu Translation Fail Shows Greedy Caramel Macaron and More Hilarious Flavors

Image source: katherinecmcmahon
#125 Green Onion Leaves or Just Onions? The Translation Fail That Baffles Shoppers

Image source: MrYouBad
#126 When “Free Toilets” Sounds Like You’re Giving Away Bathrooms – Translation Fails Exposed

Image source: sarahsmileawhileforme
#127 Strictly Forbidden? Translation Fail Warns Mountain Bikers Like Never Before

Image source: mananacycles
#128 When Your Coffee Is Free Because They Forgot the Invoice – Translation Gone Wrong

Image source: jonathan_translationengland
#129 Marinated Flap Meat Translation Fail That Will Make You Cringe and Laugh

Image source: saucynbossy_82
#130 Translation Fails: When Lion’s Drink and Cindrella Ruin Your Order Every Time

#131 Warning or Rest in Peace? Hilarious Beach Sign Translation Gone Wrong

Image source: brenda.h24
#132 Translation Gone Wrong Warning Bathing Without Rescue Squad Is Risky

Image source: sashatsea
#133 Lost in Translation The Funniest Sign Fails You Must See at the Exit

Image source: lost_in_craftlation
#134 Milk, Fish, Tree? Hilariously Wrong Translations That Make No Sense

Image source: ynnej
#135 People With Kids on Their Lap Must Test Chairlift Safety Lock or Else

Image source: Accessible Translation Solutions Blog
#136 Translation Fail Alert Keep Off The Law or Else You’ll Be Prosecuted

Image source: angharibo
#137 Motor Disabilities Path or Epic Translation Fail? You Decide!

Image source: fullerpeter
#138 Mediation or Meditation? This Prayer Room Sign Mess-Up Is Priceless

Image source: icavero
#139 When Translation Goes Wrong Good Appetite Or Not This Is Hilarious

Image source: stinamiller85
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