Near my house, there is a small shopping centre dominated by Asian-owned businesses. There is a Thai restaurant, an Asian market, a Taekwondo studio…and a “dollar store” featuring a variety of cheap goods, mostly made in China.
I love the Asian dollar store. They have everything: random bits of hardware, freaky coloured contacts, luggage, wigs and so much more. They also make some rather interesting merchandising decisions, like interspersing saw blades amongst the pedicure supplies.
And then there are the products that seem to have gotten lost in translation, with packaging that ranges from the awkward to the incomprehensible. Here are some of my favourites:
The Oxygen Bar
I’m not sure what this does…perhaps it’s some sort of humidifier? The words on the box are less than enlightening:
“Between noise and peace, there is a bridge, Brought them together, Just like human being and nature, is alwaysinseparable.”
Do you know what else should be inseparable? The letters in the word “inseparable.”
The Coffee Set
“The features of practicality and beauty show perfection; greatest efforts and endlessseeking”
Just what I was looking for in a coffee set!
Amphibious Pal and Her Baby
“It really swim s and crawls” What is with the random spaces here?
Aquatic Animals Anion Humidifier
“Fresh: Come back to natural, purify the air.
Add wetly: Transfer water in to fog moist air
Cosmetology: Create the foggy oxygen bar, wet the skin.
Intersperse: Interior decoration, the fashion is furnished.”
Uh-huh.
Bonus: Personal Air Conditioner Instructions
This one is actually from Costco, but it was too good not to share.
When you’re trying to sell your product in a foreign market, the last thing in the world you want is to leave potential buyers scratching their heads as they try to translate your translations. Don’t rely on Google Translate. You need a skilled translator. Take a look and see how we can help!