30 Best and Worst Google Translate Fails That Will Make You Cringe Forever
Google Translate is a great tool when you need to know a simple word or phrase. However, it's definitely not without its flaws and can lead to some hilarious misunderstandings.
Here are some of the best and worst translation fails on the internet. Prepare to cringe.
1. The Bathroom Tried Its Best
Finally a bathroom that I can identify with #googletranslatefail #itenglish pic.twitter.com/MNd00YYUMO
— Tyler S (@sabin_tyler) April 2, 2018
Who failed more - the bathroom or Google Translate? Perhaps we'll never know.
2. It's the Thought That Counts
Happy St. Patrick's Day? #GoogleTranslateFail pic.twitter.com/ISvVd5T5VD
— John Eastwood (@JohnAEastwood) March 16, 2018
It doesn't matter which major holiday you're celebrating. All that matters is that you're celebrating.
3. Does the Supermarket Sell Dung?
I hope this is a #GoogleTranslateFail. #Japan pic.twitter.com/Xipj6KVO9L
— Sarah Carol Dawe (@SarahCDawe) March 6, 2018
Maybe cow dung is a rare delicacy, and we're all missing out. Or maybe this is just a particularly bad Google Translate fail.
4. Nothing Like A Delicious Clothes Sandwich
Sounds like a #GoogleTranslateFail. I'm having flashbacks to some of the signs I saw in China. pic.twitter.com/gmsTl6h3wf
— Martin McAlinden (@dr_urbanus) January 18, 2018
Google Translate has some pretty wild ideas when it comes to cuisine. A clothes sandwich is probably one of the more tame suggestions on this list.
5. A Rare Ingredient
Questionable ingredient for taco seasoning.. #expatlife #GoogleTranslateFail @Google pic.twitter.com/3t5fX4rGMo
— Victoria Borisch (@VictoriaBorisch) January 11, 2018
It doesn't matter what kind of tacos you're making, please don't use any ingredients that come from rhinos. They have enough problems as it is.
6. Very Helpful, Thanks Google
Google Translate fail of the day: Numbers. #googletranslatefail pic.twitter.com/2zdHgdoPA9
— SinoFears (@sinofears) November 14, 2017
This makes perfect sense. A flawless translation.
7. Maybe It Has Something To Do With Economics?
"Machines will soon make human translators obsolete, so why bother to learn a language?"
— Miki? (@mikithebunny) November 11, 2017
I present to you: pic.twitter.com/w61RnuZIZS
We have a long way to go when it comes to accurate translation software. A really, really long way.
8. Seems A Little Off-Topic, But OK
Yeah, that's some good cake. BTW did you burn someone? #GoogleTranslateFail #ProDropLanguage pic.twitter.com/apUojyRB4W
— Alexander T Steward (@Xandyballz) September 9, 2017
You know when you eat a really good cake, and the only explanation is that the chef must have burnt someone? No?
9. Is It Worth It?
Using google translate to translate my German, and then having to translate google translate ? figures ?#googletranslatefail pic.twitter.com/3OopGrxx4F
— Katie Archbold (@KatieArchbold22) August 20, 2017
When you have to re-translate Google's translations, it sometimes feels like learning a new language would be easier and less time-consuming.
10. Beware Of Zebras
Wild roving clans of zebras, a very real threat to museums worldwide #googletranslatefail (the actual word here was sebraklanner, beetles) pic.twitter.com/cL2lkIjmnY
— Hanneke Meijer (@DrHanneke) July 5, 2017
There's probably nothing to worry about when it comes to zebra clans. But you can never be too sure...
11. Genetic Translation
"Do you want to translate this DNA sequence from Somali to English?" #googletranslatefail pic.twitter.com/3Lz59Ph7c1
— Zannah Salter (@Zannah_Du) April 25, 2017
Who knew we had the technology to translate DNA into other languages? Wait, we don't? Oh, nevermind.
12. Please Join My Collar
#GoogleTranslateFail. I hope that machine learns fast, because it’s got a ways to go. pic.twitter.com/l51AvUIdOt
— Josh Steimle (@joshsteimle) March 21, 2017
Sometimes you really connect with someone and want them to join your collar. There's nothing weird about it, it's totally natural.
13. Google Loves Canada
Google Translate favors Canada!#GoogleTranslateFail #ForCanadiansEverywhere pic.twitter.com/6yZFsjTUpK
— Nathan (@ncluff3) February 6, 2017
It's unclear why Google prefers Canada to Sweden. But for some reason it does, and it's not afraid to show it.
14. A Dangerous Place For Priests
I'm not quite sure why there would be a choking priests option on the Cafe Hillel menu, but there you go! #GoogleTranslateFail pic.twitter.com/5OJSuTbebG
— ??Avi Hyman?? (@AviHyman) January 29, 2017
The pasta in this restaurant is no doubt delicious, but if you're a priest we'd advise visiting with great caution.
15. Google, What Are You Doing?
These sentences have totally different meanings. German output means "however we hope to help with your travel plans". #GoogleTranslateFail pic.twitter.com/qNgRISKlHq
— Stephen Forrest (@saphorr) December 7, 2016
These two things aren't remotely the same. Sometimes it feels like Google is trolling all of us.
16. The Mermaids Are Here For Your Safety
The mermaids are there for everyone's safety. Please don't ignore them. :p #googletranslatefail LOL pic.twitter.com/tNce6c5fIC
— The Stress Free Spanish Teacher (@stressfreespani) November 10, 2016
Life would be a lot cooler if we had mermaids looking out for us. Just saying.
17. Charlotte Did What?!
Why yes, I will have the Charlotte screwed back scented fishing. Yum! #googletranslatefail pic.twitter.com/XkvnAUjyDM
— Grant Ingersoll (@gsingers) July 26, 2016
No matter how you feel about Charlotte and the things she does, this seems like an inappropriate way to talk about it.
18. Taste Like Your Stomach
#googletranslatefail pic.twitter.com/x9uqH6Kkpy
— Sara ซาร่า (@essjaydubb) July 22, 2016
This will probably ruin a few appetites, even if it is ideal for people looking for food.
19. Is It A Good Day Or A Bad Day?
@googletranslate: has #Brexit confused you? #googletranslatefail #confoogle pic.twitter.com/5RJ6wkhE1J
— MonVerma (scofonica) (@monica_verma) June 29, 2016
Google seems to be arguing with itself. The English side is pretty sure it's a bad day for Europe, but the German side thinks it's a good day. Somehow this doesn't seem like an accurate translation.
20. The Laugh of Calf Is Delicious
Not sure what to order. I may skip the beef annus. But the laugh of calf, maybe. #googletranslatefail pic.twitter.com/AVBrZqVf5Y
— Michael Liebow (@mliebow) May 21, 2016
Would you eat beef at knife? No? How about calf loving to five cereals?
21. Nothing Better Than A Drunk Cat
Asked our waitress to translate what dim sum we just ordered... #GoogleTranslateFail ?? pic.twitter.com/SepIjFC2rM
— liz bertorelli (@liznlbee) April 23, 2016
Even if the dumplings aren't great, at least the cat is having a good time.
22. When In Rome
? #Aroma: #traducción del español al inglés según #Google #ToRome ? ¡Pruébalo! #Error #Fail #googletranslatefail pic.twitter.com/TeRV29IDUN
— Sergio E. Tapia P. (@ChechoTapia) February 29, 2016
Going to Rome would be lovely, but it probably isn't the answer you're looking for.
23. Are You A Cannibal?
So Google is cannibal apparently :D #lol #googletranslatefail pic.twitter.com/2uUO5TnerY
— MichelleVallu (@LoyalCAMitchie) February 28, 2016
Google seems to be hinting at some pretty dark things with this one. Are you OK, Google?
24. A Delicious Glass Of Pigeonholes
Mike enjoyed his Pigeonholes of Devil last night #googletranslate #googletranslatefail ? #casillerodeldiablo pic.twitter.com/ujGsJGaBIu
— Jo Stevens (@jostevens1709) January 1, 2016
Looks like Google has been drinking too. At least you'll always have a drinking buddy!
25. Guess That Tune
In Google translate, 'lalalala' translates to Bjork, the famous Icelandic singer?! #GoogleTranslateFail pic.twitter.com/yJCeBKz6FG
— Carrie Wilson (@LinguisticaUK) October 13, 2015
While it's cute that Google thought you were trying to guess a song, its suggestion of Björk was wrong in so many ways.
26. Sweet Dreams, Tiny Grass
#googletranslatefail.
— Cowbridge MFL (@cowbridgemfl) November 2, 2014
Be frugal with google! See more on our blog! pic.twitter.com/TbnYlSz7Vp
Honestly, this just sounds so much cuter than "Keep Off The Grass". Every sign should be replaced with this one.
27. Is There A Goat In Your Budget?
#googletranslatefails #oversættelsesfejl pic.twitter.com/SNNoGHBD1Q
— EgoLibris (@egolibris) May 17, 2017
It's unwise to purchase a goat if there wasn't a goat in your budget. At least that's the message we think Google is trying to convey.
28. Now Showing In A Cinema Near You
Can't decide whether to see War Salvage Destroyer Future or Was Godzilla! #GoogleTranslateFail #ChiangMai #cinema pic.twitter.com/TJgVhzMzm5
— Nico Rossetti Ⓥ (@Yums0me) May 25, 2014
These badly translated titles might be a bit long, but they're definitely interesting. Who wouldn't want to watch War Salvage Destroyer Future?
29. But Did You Enjoy the Tea?
We got some great feedback from cafés here in Ireland but this one from Finland is our fave ??...#googletranslatefails #matchalatte pic.twitter.com/UlnPldBAeH
— Koyu Matcha GreenTea (@KoyuMatcha) January 18, 2017
Is this a good review? A bad one? It's impossible to know for sure.
30. Asking the Tough Questions
#googletranslatefail always cheer my work day up pic.twitter.com/Iw9WJDck82
— Sarah Senior (@SS55SNR) March 30, 2018
The political climate of 2018 can be intense, but this is insane.