This is a small collection of mistranslations gleaned from the Chinese, Japanese, and Vietnamese translations of Harry Potter. There are in fact many, many more translations than are shown here. These are just a few I picked up while doing other sections of the site.

For a full list of serious errors in the Mainland Chinese translation of Harry Potter, published by People's Literature Publishing, see Me Help's Litany of Disastrous Translation Mistakes.

Is the boa constrictor in 'The Little Prince' different from the one in 'Harry Potter'? What did the boa constrictor say to Harry as it left for Brazil? What kind of owl brought Draco Malfoy's mail? 'Owls are not native to Britain' The 'wandering minstrel owl' Jelly-legs, Jell-O legs, or Toe Jam? Is a cupboard a place for putting cups in? A draught or a draft? Restless and fidgety animals (?!) Is Filch a firecracker? What is a sukuibu? Shame, disgrace, vexation, carelessness Milking Nagini Sybill a second-rate seer? Is 'damp chill' a 'cold'? [ TOP ]