Hilarious Language Blunders Abroad: What We Learned from Talking to Foreigners

Explore the unexpected connections between unplanned flirting and ordering 'oxygen-free water'.

1. Beware of 'False Friends' in Translation

Some words sound identical across languages but carry completely different meanings. For example, in Russian, "бра" refers to a wall lamp, while in English, "bra" means a brassiere. Substituting unfamiliar words with similar-sounding ones can lead to embarrassing moments, especially in stores.

Take "marmalade"—it's not just any jam but a citrus-based preserve. "Cabinet" means a kitchen cupboard, and "aspirant" translates to "candidate". Complimenting a home's cleanliness with "accurate" will confuse native speakers since it means "precise"; the correct term is "neat".

Artem Chernyaev

Data Scientist.

“During a trip to India, my colleagues bought many delicious tropical fruits. To survive the flight, they needed to pack them well. They hailed a taxi and, using broken English, asked for 'scotch.' The driver nodded knowingly and took them to a liquor store because 'scotch' in English refers to a Scottish drink. What they needed, adhesive tape, is called 'tape'.”

Explaining everyday items in English can challenge beginners and even those who watch shows without subtitles. To improve, practice daily dialogues. For informal chats and practical skills, try Flow by Yandex.Practicum—conversational English courses with flexible scheduling, global teachers, and interactive lessons featuring real-life topics.

Start learning to speak

2. Ordering the Wrong Food at Cafés

Ask for "coffee" in Italy, and you’ll get a tiny cup of strong espresso since that's the default. Different countries have unique food and drink customs. Menus with pictures aren’t always available, so conversations with waiters often go beyond just dish names. Asking about ingredients is one thing; understanding the answer is another. If you can’t catch the words after a couple of tries, many just say, "Fine, bring it!" and end up with unfamiliar dishes or risk allergic reactions.

Yuri Monzani

Football coach, Italian.

“After just 40 hours of Russian lessons, I visited a town near Moscow. My friends didn’t speak Russian, so I handled ordering food. When the waiter asked if we wanted bread, I insisted on 'red bread,' thinking my friends should try traditional Russian baked goods. The waiter looked confused and said it didn’t exist. Eventually, I realized I’d mixed up words—the correct term was 'black bread.' It was both funny and awkward.”

3. Giving False Hopes

When chatting with foreigners, attraction can be near or far off. Understanding subtle cues in another language is tough. For example, being asked if you’re up for "first base" isn’t about baseball—it’s an invitation to kiss. The phrase "let’s make out" might sound like an outdoor activity but actually means passionate hugging and kissing. While no one should pressure you, these moments can be awkward.

Polina Nakraynikova

Editor-in-Chief.

“A Polish tour group visited our city. We knew only basic Polish, and they knew little Russian. Our group of philologists was tasked with entertaining them at a café. Once, something got in my eye, and I asked a Polish neighbor, 'Do I have a red eye?' He blushed and said, 'Red, and the other one too.' I was surprised, then realized 'red' sounds like 'beautiful' in Polish! He thought I was fishing for a compliment, and he spent the evening looking at me fondly.”

4. Leaving a Strange Impression

There’s a saying in English: "To speak another language is to have a second soul." When you express yourself fluently, you might laugh at unfamiliar jokes or comment on topics you wouldn’t in your native language. Conversely, you might respond tersely, seeming unapproachable. Nervousness often causes people to forget polite phrases, appearing rude despite their true nature. The broader your vocabulary, the better you can reveal your personality.

Darya Gromova

Author, translator.

“I visited China to see a friend and spoke English with her international friends. Despite a strong grasp of English, my speaking skills were weak due to shyness about pronunciation. I only spoke when addressed. One night playing board games, an interesting topic came up, and I suddenly spoke fluently with complex grammar and vocabulary. Everyone was shocked! They’d thought I didn’t understand much and avoided bothering me. This taught me to communicate as best I can rather than stay silent.”

5. Not Understanding What’s Asked

It’s awkward to smile at small talk attempts, shrug when asked for the time, or avoid tourists with maps even if you want to help. The worst is not understanding what someone wants from you, leaving you feeling useless and missing opportunities. However, basic language skills suffice for casual conversations and common travel situations. With focused effort, mastering friendly dialogue abroad doesn’t require much time or special talent.

Tonya Rubtsova

Journalist.

“Once I waited for a friend near the metro and overheard two elderly Italian women with a Saint Petersburg map. I was learning Italian, so I understood they wanted directions to Mars Field but didn’t speak English. I immediately offered help. They were thrilled, asked many city questions, and gifted me a postcard from Italy. I was proud to have overcome shyness and started the conversation.”

6. Trying to Buy Strange Things

Tourists who don’t speak the local language risk being scammed—extra charges, unwanted gifts, or threats. Sometimes, the confusion comes from the buyer, like searching for Russian borscht abroad or asking for discounts in fixed-price stores.

Yana Skripichnikova

Manager.

“In Budapest, I once struggled to ask for still water due to limited vocabulary. At a street shop, I blurted out 'Water without oxygen, please.' The seller looked surprised and smiled, saying, 'I don’t think it’s possible.' It was embarrassing, but I learned to ask for 'still water' next time.”

If you’ve studied English for a long time but can’t speak confidently, don’t give up. Maybe traditional courses bored you. Flow offers diverse lessons on an interactive platform with global teachers and frequent conversation partner changes to help you understand different accents. Lessons cover modern topics like podcasts, investments, startups, and surfing—guaranteeing an engaging experience.

Try a free lesson

Explore useful articles in Life Transformation as of 08-04-2021. The article titled " Hilarious Language Blunders Abroad: What We Learned from Talking to Foreigners " offers in-depth analysis and practical advice in the Life Transformation field. Each article is carefully crafted by experts to provide maximum value to readers.

The " Hilarious Language Blunders Abroad: What We Learned from Talking to Foreigners " article expands your knowledge in Life Transformation, keeps you informed about the latest developments, and helps you make well-informed decisions. Each article is based on unique content, ensuring originality and quality.