Translating country names from Chinese very literally

[sketch-elf]

I love the way you started out with the somewhat coherent sounding "_ country" group and the BAM, GRAPE TEETH. Amazing comedic setup 10/10

[Aurantix]

"Contemplating big profits" is such an accurate description of Italy, I can't even

[tthebearybearss]

‘Beautiful country’ immediately followed by ‘GRAPE TEETH’ is the best thing ever

[gamlaman]

Considering how many flowers we export all over the world, “Cargo Orchid” is kinda accurate for the Netherlands lol

[junob]

“darkness overcoming orchid” is a very politically relevant name

[slevemcdichael]

This is how I will have the Elves in my d&d world translate the names of other kingdoms. I love this.

[mennograafmans]

Cargo orchid for the Netherlands is somehow kinda fitting. Seeing how they're one of the biggest flower exporting countries in the world.

[lady.KIYOKO]

"Oh so you're italian?"
"No I'm a contemplator of big profits sorry"

[KeeperCharlie]

For those who are confused, Mandarin stopped adding meaning behind names and instead just mimicked the name of the country with whatever word that sounded similar to the original pronounciation.

[sammjaisais]

"Inky Western Big Brother" 💀💀💀 😂😂😂 As a mexican person, I accept and claim this name.

[invokingvajras]

For those who don’t get it, Chinese characters are often used to transliterate foreign words. Many of these country names are read for the pronunciation of individual characters, rather than their meaning.

[Jhairus]

Contemplating big profits, while saying "Don't worry about it"

[Pollymichaelis]

Most Chinese names of Western countries are direct tonal translations, thus you end up with some nice ones and some utter chaotic ones

[XiranJayZhao]

I know I'm pronouncing orchid wrong. You don't need to tell me.

When foreign names are transliterated into Chinese, characters are chosen for approximate sounds. Canada -> 加拿大 Jia Na Da. ADDING TAKING PROFITS is what happens when you forcibly translate the individual characters. Each character can also have multiple meanings so you can do this multiple ways as well, like ADDITIONAL GRABBING BIG 🤣

[Twilit]

Portugal: produces wine
China: GRAPE TEETH

[rickles]

i like how danes are called 'red wheat' because the first thing that comes to people's minds when they talk abt the danish language is RØDGRØD MED FLØDE, which means red porridge with cream 😅

[eliasbischoff]

It's like the person in charge of naming countries got increasingly drunk on the job

[emz]

“Hoping for wax” is probably my favorite lol

[lmnop]

Learning that my family comes from "Inky Western Big Brother" took me out 💀

[shuzuku]

"are you greek?"
"No?? im obviously hoping for wax."