{"id":24611,"date":"2018-01-11T17:00:28","date_gmt":"2018-01-11T17:00:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.expedia.com\/stories\/?p=24611"},"modified":"2021-10-28T17:08:42","modified_gmt":"2021-10-28T17:08:42","slug":"12-idioms-get-lost-translation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.expedia.com\/stories\/12-idioms-get-lost-translation\/","title":{"rendered":"12 idioms in other languages that get lost in translation"},"content":{"rendered":"

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12 idioms in other languages that get lost in translation<\/h1>\n

An idiom is an expression whose meaning does not relate to the literal meaning of its words. They allow us to describe things in a slightly more visual<\/a> and poetic way. Each language has its own set of unique idioms, but when translated they tend to lose their meaning and end up as hilarious nonsensical phrases.<\/p>\n

You might say that looking for the direct translations would be barking up the wrong tree.<\/p>\n

So let\u2019s not beat around the bush \u00a0\u2013 here are some of our favorite idioms from other languages that got lost in translation.<\/p>\n

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1. Blinded by German tomatoes<\/h2>\n

Sometimes you can\u2019t see what\u2019s right in front of you. This German idiom is used when a person is unaware of a situation or isn\u2019t paying attention \u2013 when he or she can\u2019t see what everyone else can. Literally translated, it means \u201cyou have tomatoes on your eyes,\u201d which we can confirm (not from personal experience) definitely prevents you from seeing.
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2. Argentina\u2019s five-legged cats<\/h2>\n

There are some people who have to look for hidden meanings or motivations in every comment or action. This vivid Argentinian idiom perfectly sums up this paranoia. But taken literally, it means to \u201clook for the fifth leg of the cat.\u201d We\u2019re sure you\u2019ll agree that this would be a crazy thing to accuse someone of!
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3. France\u2019s perfectly cooked carrots<\/h2>\n

French is a wonderfully expressive language. This finite, direct idiom is used to mark the point at which a situation can\u2019t be changed and a person has had enough. Literally, it means \u201cthe carrots are cooked.\u201d What\u2019s done is done and that\u2019s that. Well no one likes overcooked carrots, do they?
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4. Pay day for Portugal\u2019s ducks<\/h2>\n

We\u2019re sure you\u2019ve all been there \u2013 there\u2019s nothing more frustrating than taking the blame for something you didn\u2019t do. This Portuguese idiom is used when someone is scapegoated for a situation that they didn\u2019t cause. Literally (and hilariously), it means \u201cpay the duck.\u201d
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5. China\u2019s classical music loving cows<\/h2>\n

You\u2019ve made a huge effort to help someone out, but you needn\u2019t have bothered \u2013 it\u2019s like playing piano to a cow. The cow just sits there and doesn\u2019t even say thanks. This wonderfully visual idiom perfectly sums up that sinking feeling when you just know that someone doesn\u2019t appreciate what you\u2019ve done.
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6. Christmas accidents in Poland<\/h2>\n

Some people just don\u2019t get it, do they? This rather harsh Polish idiom is used to inform someone that you see right through them \u2013 they are not well informed and it\u2019s obvious to all. Translated literally, it has a somewhat different meaning. Did I fall from a Christmas tree, you ask? Well no, no I didn\u2019t.
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7. Canada\u2019s singing apples<\/h2>\n

This delightful idiom means \u201cto flirt with someone,\u201d but translated into English makes literally no sense. Nevertheless, singing the apple sounds like quite a nice thing to do, whatever it might mean.
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8. Japan\u2019s floral mountains<\/h2>\n

No matter how hard we try, some things are simply out of reach. This Japanese idiom makes the situation sound quite beautiful. It literally translates as \u201ca flower on a high peak,\u201d which conjures a lovely image to represent a less-than-lovely situation.
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9. Frogs in Finland<\/h2>\n

Foot in mouth? Well no, this time it\u2019s a frog. How many times have you said the wrong thing? This Finnish idiom would accuse you of letting \u201ca frog out of your mouth,\u201d if taken literally. Not good either way.
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10. It\u2019s raining leaves in Mexico<\/h2>\n

What is meant to be will be. Every language has its own version of this sobering idiom. The Mexican version translates to say, \u201cIf you’re born to be a tamale, the leaves will fall from the sky.\u201d It\u2019s hard to argue with that.
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11. Italy\u2019s religious dogs<\/h2>\n

Obviously dogs are not welcome in Italian churches. This hilariously descriptive idiom is used to describe an unwanted guest. If you ever hear yourself described as a dog in church, it might be time to leave.
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12. The soaking wet people of Sri Lanka<\/h2>\n

This Tamil idiom means to cut off a relationship. If you\u2019ve ever been dumped by a partner, you\u2019ll understand the literal translation. That awkward conversation can sometimes feel as though someone has poured water over your head.
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\nAs you can see \u2013 Google translate doesn\u2019t do the job every time. Some phrases from other languages can get lost in translation in the most hilarious way. Next time you\u2019re on your travels, why not look up some popular idioms and really<\/em> put your language skills to the test?<\/p>\n

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\n[toggle title=”Sources” state=”closed”]<\/p>\n

Batt. H, Torgovnick May. K. (2015). 40 brilliant idioms that simply can\u2019t be translated literally.<\/a> blog.ted.com<\/strong>
\nFenwick Elliott. A. (2017). ‘Live like a maggot in bacon’: How idioms from foreign languages around the world translate into English (with VERY bizarre results)<\/a>. dailymail.co.uk<\/strong>
\nNiels. (2017). 18 Quirky Idioms from Diverse Languages Around the World. <\/a>Fluentu.com<\/strong>
\nCienradios. (2017). 11 dichos que s\u00f3lo los argentinos entienden.<\/a> cienradios.com<\/strong>
\nNeehao. (2013). Like playing piano to a cow (\u201c\u5bf9\u725b\u5f39\u7434\u201d)<\/a>. neehao.co.uk<\/strong>
\nNamiko. A. (2017). Japanese Flowers in Proverbs.<\/a> thoughtco.com<\/strong>
\nChan. K. (2016). 21 of the funniest expressions from Quebec (and how they\u2019re used).<\/a> matadornetwork.com<\/strong>
\nAcademia. (2017). Resultados sobre el t\u00e9rmino tamal<\/a>. academia.org<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

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