A fan of professional wrestling wanted to honor their favorite wrestler. The literal translation turned an iconic character into a mundane job description.
The Story
"I wanted to honor my favorite wrestler. I got a funeral home job title."
Professional wrestling has iconic characters, and "The Undertaker" is legendary. A devoted fan wanted to pay tribute by getting the name tattooed in Chinese.
What they got was 棺材佬 (guān cai lǎo), which means "coffin man" or "the guy who deals with coffins" – essentially, someone who works at a funeral home.
The Linguistic Breakdown
- 棺材 (guān cai) = Coffin
- 佬 (lǎo) = Guy, man (colloquial, slightly crude)
- 棺材佬 = Coffin guy, coffin dealer
This is a literal translation that completely misses the theatrical, ominous presence of the wrestling character. It's like calling Batman "Bat Guy" or Darth Vader "Dark Father Man."
What They Probably Wanted
For "The Undertaker" as a fearsome character:
- 送葬者 (sòng zàng zhě) = The one who buries (more formal)
- 死神 (sǐ shén) = God of Death, Grim Reaper
- 葬仪师 (zàng yí shī) = Funeral master (more dignified)
The Broader Issue
This happens frequently when translating:
- Character names from movies/TV/games
- Band names or stage names
- Nicknames that sound cool in English
Literal translation kills the mystique.
Key Takeaways
- Character names need creative translation, not literal
- The feeling and image matter more than exact words
- Consult someone who understands both cultures