How Not to Go Viral: Translation Errors That Broke the Internet (for All the Wrong Reasons)
We love a good viral moment. But not when it's your brand trending for a translation fail that's got the whole internet side-eyeing you.
Translation mistakes are like that one embarrassing text you wish you could unsend — except it's on a billboard, in a product manual, or plastered all over social media screenshots for eternity.
Here’s a round-up of epic translation errors that broke the internet — and exactly why professional translation and localization services (hi, LingoExpress!) are worth every cent.
1. Pepsi's Slogan That Accidentally Summoned the Dead in China
Let’s start with a classic. In the 1960s, Pepsi wanted to tell Chinese consumers to “Come Alive with the Pepsi Generation.”
Cute, right?
Except... the translation read more like “Pepsi Brings Your Ancestors Back from the Grave.”
Not quite the refreshing image they were going for.
Why Did It Happen?
Direct translation without cultural localization. Idioms and catchy slogans rarely translate well word-for-word.
2. IKEA's Unfortunate Product Naming in Thailand
IKEA is known for quirky product names. But in Thailand, their "Redalen" bed frame accidentally sounded like a local slang word for... um... a certain private act.
Cue the awkward giggles in-store.
Lesson Here?
Always test product names in local markets before launching. Words carry different meanings (and hidden dangers) across languages.
3. KFC in China: Finger-Lickin' What?!
KFC’s famous slogan “Finger-Lickin’ Good” got lost in translation when it opened in China — reportedly ending up as “Eat Your Fingers Off.”
Appetizing? Not exactly.
Pro Tip:
Food and beverage brands need extra care with translation — dining cultures vary wildly, and mistakes can literally leave a bad taste.
4. A Hotel Sign That Took Things Too Far
A hotel in Paris tried to warn English-speaking guests about wet paint. Their translated sign?
"Please do not walk on the water."
We respect the ambition — but unless you're the messiah, that's not happening.
5. When Medical Translation Goes Very, Very Wrong
In a real-life medical case in the US, a Spanish-speaking patient told ER staff “intoxicado” (meaning food poisoning).
The untrained interpreter told doctors it meant “intoxicated” (as in drugs or alcohol).
The result? Misdiagnosis, incorrect treatment, and a $71 million lawsuit.
Moral of the Story?
Medical translation is not a DIY project. Hire certified professionals — lives depend on it.
6. Beauty Brands Butchering Names Abroad
Clairol launched a curling iron in Germany called “Mist Stick.”
Problem: Mist in German is slang for “manure” or “crap.”
Not exactly the glamorous image you want for hair care.
7. A Menu That Tried Its Best… But Failed Gloriously
A restaurant in China wanted to translate “fried rice with shrimp”.
What did the English menu say?
"Fried Rice with Fresh Crap."
Ouch.
8. The Danger of DIY Machine Translation
One of the wildest examples? A sign in Wales.
An email was sent to a translator asking for the Welsh version of an English road sign.
But the out-of-office auto-reply came back in Welsh.
Guess what? They printed the auto-reply on the sign.
It read: “I am not in the office at the moment. Please send any work to be translated.”
Public embarrassment, immortalized.
9. Signs That Are Weirdly Threatening
Found on a poorly translated warning sign in an elevator:
"If you are stolen, call the police at once."
Not sure what’s worse — the threat of theft or the grammar.
10. The Takeaway: Viral for the Right Reasons
Translation fails are funny... until it happens to your brand.
Here’s what all these mistakes have in common:
Lack of professional human translation
No cultural sensitivity check
Zero localization strategy
Blind trust in machine translation tools
Going global is exciting. But getting your message right is non-negotiable. A single mistake can cost you millions, damage brand reputation, or — let's be real — make you an internet meme forever.
How LingoExpress Can Help You Avoid This Nightmare
At LingoExpress, we don’t just translate words — we translate meaning, emotion, and intent.
We offer:
Certified Human Translation
Expert Localization Services
Transcreation for Marketing & Branding
Multilingual Content Review
In-Market Linguistic Testing
Because trust me — going viral for great content is way more fun.
Ready to Go Global — The Right Way?
📩 Contact LingoExpress for a free quote!
📧 Email: [email protected]
🌍 Website: https://lingoexpress.com.sg
☎ Call Us: +65 84144885