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Avoid These 20 English Words When In Other Countries by rabzy01: 6:32pm On May 05, 2015
If you travel abroad frequently for work, or if you have an e-commerce store with customers from all over the world, it’s worth noting that there are a number of English words that, phonetically, don’t work in other countries and can lead to double entendre or unintended offence territory. Here are 20 of them to help you ensure that your communication isn’t lost in translation.

See also: 9 Words or Phrases Millennials Should Avoid Using in the Workplace

France
Preservative. Avoid asking about preservatives in France; you’ll probably be met with strange looks. It means ‘condom’ in France.

Norway
Pick. If you’re visiting Norway, don’t use the word ‘pick’. Your Norwegian colleague is unlikely to be impressed - it means ‘dick’ over there.

Fitter. Does your business specialise in fitness products? Be mindful that in Norway, the word ‘fitte’ refers to a woman’s genitals.

Turkey
Peach. Going to Turkey? Avoid asking for a peach in the supermarket or anywhere else for that matter. It means ‘bastard’ in Turkish.

Germany
Gift. ‘Never look a gift horse in the mouth’, we’re told; perhaps more so in Germany where the word means ‘poison’.

Latte. In Germany, latte doesn’t mean the frothy, milky concoction you get from your local Starbucks. It means ‘erect penis’ in some German quarters.

Korea
Salsa. Out for a Mexican in Korea? It’s probably best not to ask for salsa: it means ‘diarrhoea’ in Korean.

Sweden
Speed. Try not to talk about speed when in the company of others in Sweden. It means ‘fart’.

Bump. If you’ve had the misfortune of a bump on your car, note that the word ‘bump’ in Swedish means ‘dump’.

Speed bump. Put the above two words together and you have the phrase ‘speed bump’, which in Swedish means fart dump.

Kiss. If you ask your Swedish host or hostess for a kiss, they might very well direct you to the toilets. In Swedish, the word means ‘pee’.

Portugal
Pay Day. If you’re in Portugal, refrain from singing with happiness that it’s ‘pay day’. No one will be impressed. In Portuguese it means “I farted”.

Exquisite. Extend a compliment to your Portuguese host by describing something belonging to them as ‘exquisite’ and you might be met with askance looks: ‘esquisito’ in Portuguese means ‘weird’.

Hungary
Cookie. If you’re visiting Hungary, whether on business or for pleasure, avoid asking for a cookie. It means ‘small penis’ in Hungarian.

Japan
Jerry. It’s perhaps a little late for Ben & Jerry’s ice cream, but if you’re in Japan, avoid using the word – it means ‘diarrhoea’ over there.

France
Bra. Do you sell luxury underwear? Whilst you and I might initially understand the word to mean a garment that covers the breasts, if you’re in France your French colleagues might think you’re selling arms. Literally.

Italy
Tremendous. Refrain from boasting about the tremendous prices you offer your clients. In this country, ‘tremendo’ is the word for ‘terrible’.

Netherlands
Bill. Asking for the bill might raise a few guffaws in the Netherlands: ‘bil’ means ‘buttocks’ there.

Lager. It might confuse your Dutch colleagues if you were to ask for a ‘lager’ when having a few drinks with them after work. Lager means ‘storage’ in Dutch.

Spain
Cool. The word cool is too close for comfort to the Spanish word 'culo'; a crude term for 'bum'. Best avoided.

...

See also: How to Take Advantage of Your Native Language Working in a Foreign Country

That some words can be misinterpreted not only has relevance for those who frequently go abroad on business, but as Tictail point out, also for online businesses where ‘borderless’ transactions take place. So if you’ve often wondered why your “exquisite Madagascan chocolates” fly like hotcakes everywhere in the world except Brazil and Portugal, perhaps you now have the answer: weird, dodgy chocolates just won’t sell.

Source: http://www.careeraddict.com/16695/avoid-these-20-english-words-when-in-other-countries?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=promoted_post
Re: Avoid These 20 English Words When In Other Countries by DahtzFestjayz: 6:40pm On May 05, 2015
Thanks
Re: Avoid These 20 English Words When In Other Countries by Harmvirus(f): 6:45pm On May 05, 2015
Wow. Op, thanks for sharing
Re: Avoid These 20 English Words When In Other Countries by espn(m): 6:58pm On May 05, 2015
Nice one OP.. many people for don chop slap cos of dis mistakes oo. travelling is beyond boarding a plane to a destination.

Op u forgot ORUBEBE: when in Nigeria don't use the word orubebe..because Nigerians might see you as a tout or peace destroyer.

1 Like

Re: Avoid These 20 English Words When In Other Countries by Toyolad(m): 6:59pm On May 05, 2015
Noted but could you please arrange it well for easy reading.
Re: Avoid These 20 English Words When In Other Countries by Basildvalour(m): 7:03pm On May 05, 2015
Funny....
Re: Avoid These 20 English Words When In Other Countries by rabzy01: 7:30pm On May 05, 2015
espn:
Nice one OP.. many people for don chop slap cos of dis mistakes oo. travelling is beyond boarding a plane to a destination.

Op u forgot ORUBEBE: when in Nigeria don't use the word orubebe..because Nigerians might see you as a tout or peace destroyer.

Yes, but point of correction. The reality is, when in Nigeria, don't call anyone or name your child ORUBEBE. Because people will see that person as stupid, incalculative, inarticulate and lacking in good manners or a rehabilitated militant like one below. grin

Re: Avoid These 20 English Words When In Other Countries by rabzy01: 7:32pm On May 05, 2015
Toyolad:
Noted but could you please arrange it well for easy reading.

Thanks for noting.
As for rearranging them you can do that. Over to you. Have done mine. cheesy

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