Unfortunate Naming Mistakes Made by Giant Brands

Being a global company is not easy at all. The job of giant companies, which constantly have to be in touch with different cultures, does not end with just adapting the product or brand to that country. Slogans, brands and product names They also have to take into account what it will mean in different languages.

Although large companies try to be careful in this regard, sometimes things go wrong. It’s not going as expected. As a result of these unfortunate choices, in different countries which can mean funny or bad Product names may appear.

This vehicle, which is offered for sale in our country under the name Citroën Saxo, is one of the best examples.

phone in french, saxophone in English Unfortunately, this word, which is used as an abbreviation for the musical instrument, is not used in the same sense in our country.

I wonder which brand is the victim of this difference in meaning? your mistake When did he understand?

The same goes for the Ford Escort.

The word “escort”, which is generally used in English to mean accompanying, is also used in our country. “escort” It is used as.

But as we know that’s not the only meaning. If anyone around you has used this model, you already know the jokes…

Let’s continue with examples from around the world. KFC also has an unpleasant blunder.

Years ago, “Finger-lickingly delicious.” KFC, which wanted to use the slogan “Finger-lickin’ good” meaning “Finger-lickin’ good” in China, made the wrong choice.

Because this slogan is in China “Eat your fingers.” and this was a rather unappetizing slogan for a food chain.

An airline mistakenly said “Fly naked!” Using the slogan… (Not a joke!)

In 1987, an airline company called American Airlines leather seats organized an advertising campaign to promote it.

“Fly in leather!” (Fly in skin!) The slogan took on an unexpected meaning when translated into Spanish for Mexico. Because in Mexican slang this slogan is “Fly naked!” It meant.

This suggestion after the ads are published I wonder if anyone has tried it? We can’t help but think…

Pepsi is one of the brands that fell victim to translation.

Pepsi in the 1960s “Come alive with Pepsi.” (Rejuvenate with Pepsi.) slogan in china “Pepsi brings your ancestors back from the grave.” It was translated as .

Nintendo did not take into account the English meaning of this word when choosing the name of the Wii.

Pronunciation of the word “Wii” in English “Pee” meaning “wee” It’s the same pronunciation as the word.

For this reason, the problems that will occur during the pronunciation of the product name unpleasant ambiguities In fact, it might have spoiled Nintendo’s taste.

Imagine, someone in England said “Let’s play our Wii.” (Let’s play with our Wii.) and the other person says this sentence. “Let’s play our wee” can be understood as.

Anyway, they did it mistake let’s say.

Vicks, the faithful companion of our grandmothers, has a very, very different meaning in Germany.

in Germany, Since the letter “v” is read as “f”Vicks brand is produced by the Germans “Ficks” It is read as. The word “Ficks” is in German slang for sexual intercourse…

Fortunately, we are not talking about an error in this article. The brand did the necessary research and prevented this confusion and offered this product in Germany. under the name “Wick” started selling.

If Ford had known that its vehicle named “Pinto” meant “small sexual organ” in Brazil, it would have run away from this name.

target market investigation from every angle It’s really a mistake that once again emphasizes its importance…

Chevrolet’s model named Nova does not have a very positive meaning for Spanish-speaking countries.

The name “Nova” is Spanish “no va” (not going) It evokes the expression.

Not much for a car not a good connotation is not it?

Swedish names of IKEA products can sometimes produce different results.

For example, the brand’s desk named “Fartfull” “fast” or “energetic” in Swedish means. But the word “fart” in English is, to put it politely, “fart” The table named “Fartfull” translated into English because it means “full of crap” It is translated like.

In summary, such situations cultural differences and language structures, It once again reveals how important it is for global brands to enter new markets.

Our other content that may interest you: