If you've ever interacted with someone who speaks a different language, what is the funniest misunderstanding you've had?
If you've ever interacted with someone who speaks a different language, what is the funniest misunderstanding you've had?
An example of what I mean:
I, in China, told an English speaking Chinese friend I needed to stop off in the bathroom to "take a shit."
He looked appalled and after I asked why he had that look, he asked what I was going to do with someone's shit.
I had not laughed so hard in a while, and it totally makes sense.
I explained it was an expression for pooping, and he comes back with, "wouldn't that be giving a shit?"
I then got to explain that to give a shit means you care and I realized how fucked some of our expressions are.
What misunderstandings made you laugh?
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Chatting on Skype with a Chinese developer, he said "I need to take Friday off for family matters" and I said "no worries"
He apologized profusely, and eventually I realised that to him, "no worries" meant something like "No! I am very concerned!"
I've since taught them some more Australianisms.
19 0 ReplyWait... I don't get it either. He refuse the day off?
1 0 Reply"No worries!" means "Yes, that's fine, there is nothing to worry about."
He thought it meant "No! You should worry about that!"
1 0 ReplyInstead of "No worries!" he heard "No, worries!*
2 0 ReplyOh! I see. He midunderstood "no worries" with "No! Worry!"...
3 0 Reply