Tattoo Ideas: Words & Phrases II
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Written by: Jaclyn Popola
It is very popular these days to get tattoos written in a language that is not your native tongue. Be very careful in these situations that the words you are getting translate correctly into the meaning you chose. Start out with an online translator like babelfish.altavista.com. Once the site produces the translation, double check it's validity with a reputable source. A family member who speaks the language, a regional chat room, or a professor who teaches the language in question are all possibilities. To be safe, make sure that at least two separate sources confirm the accuracy of the translation before going ahead and getting it tattooed. I have a Polish quote that wraps around my upper arm, and one time I was at the Wendy's drive-thru and the cashier was a Polish girl who noticed my tattoo and leaned in closer to read it. I was terrified as she read it aloud, wondering, "Oh my God, what if it's wrong? What if it doesn't mean what I wanted it to mean?!" Luckily, my translation was correct, and she understood it's meaning. But imagine how embarrassing it would be if you got a tattoo and then years later a stranger is the one to inform you that the meaning marked permanently into your skin actually makes no sense at all.
((IMAGES COURTESY OF BMEZINE.COM))
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Hahaha, that's awesome. I have a quote written in Polish on my upper arm, and as it is clearly visible I constantly get asked what it means. I always tell the truth, but after six years I am getting tired of translating. I wish I had the guts to make up something fake and shocking. And then I would just deliver the line deadpan and pretend it's real :)
Awesome hub !
Thank you so much! Glad you liked it :)
ADVICE?
I want to get a tattoo in French that says "To live and to love"....and at some point i will add a name on the end. Anyone speak French that can help to translate correctly/accurately? Thanks in advance!
Hey 57flavors: Well, according to http://babelfish.altavista.com, the translation is "pour vivre et aimer". But I would double check with a French-speaking native to be sure.
I was wondering what the font of the first photo is??
and also
i'm going to get a tattoo at the end of the month and
i was thinking somthign like
"For Those Who Have Stood By My Side...
You are The Story I Tell"
but i dunno
advice?
Hey Eric, the tattoo on the guy you mean? I'm honestly not sure, some type of fancy script, obviously. I'm sure if you looked it up on a font site you'd find it or at least something close. Also, when you go into the tattoo parlor, there is a book of lettering that all places have. You could always just pick something similar from there. As for your tattoo idea, I love it. I think anything with words is great. Where on your body were you thinking of putting it?
to live and to love is "vivre et adorer" in french
If I want something translated into LATIN... where do I go to find it? Does anyone know of a site that does this? I want a sentence, not just one word.
Thanks.
Hey Angie, I've got the perfect solution for you :) I just wrote a hub about Latin words and phrases tattoos! Here it is: http://hubpages.com/hub/Tattoo_Ideas_Latin_Words_P It includes several translation services and a list of popular phrases, etc. Glad I could help!
i think that first one says dont think twice duno though
Great Hub... Hoping anyone canelp I am getting a tattoo on my ribs... I have three children whom I am seperated from due to work a lot so i wanted some quote saying "not in sight but in mind/heart" something like that but cant seem to find what i am looking for... any ideas...
Wow think I would be scared to date the girl in the top picture. A lower back tattoo that says "She Devil". Not judging but a little scary for a prespective partner. Funny though! Great hub by the way gave it the thumbs up vote.
Jdaly -- that is a lovely idea. Let's see...here are the mother quotes that spring to mind off the top of my head. "Mother is God in the eyes of a child", "A mother holds her children's hands for a while, their hearts forever." Hmm, maybe try doing a Google search for 'mother quotes' or 'distance quotes'?
thanks will let you know what i come up with....
hey i alredy have a tattoo but have always wanted something written underneath but i dint know what. i was thinking somthing like free love or forever free.. something to do with peace love faith. if anyone has any ideas that would be great =)
i am dying to get an italian word or phrase on my wrist but i have little to no ideas in my mind as of now. any suggestions??
Hi Louisa, I definitely have some ideas for you :) I just wrote a Hub about Italian tattoos, it has pictures of other people's Italian phrase tattoos as well as a list of some nice Italian sayings and links to sites that have more of the same. Here it is if you're interested: http://hubpages.com/hub/Tattoo_Ideas_Italian_Words
Enjoy!
Already have some tattoos so this isn't too big a deal to me.
But i'm getting my first word tattoo and i don't know where to put it! it's kindof a happy but at the same time painful memory. so, i want to see it often (thusly it can't be on my back or anything) but i don't want it somewhere as obvious as on my wrist so i have to remember it all the freaking time!
It's only one word, but it is also in another language (really don't want to deal with people constantly asking what it means) so...what do i do!
Hey Jill, I know exactly what you mean. I have a polish quote that wraps around my upper arm and I am constantly getting asked to translate it, which I guess is to be expected. I don't mind the questions, but it's always awkward when I tell someone the translation and they stare at me blankly, not understanding the philosophy behind the words.
Anyway, I was going to suggest your wrists as a nice spot, plus you can put a watch or wristband over it if you wanted. Another spot could be your forearms or upper arms, or what about your hips? Or your lower stomach, near the bikini line? I have some there as well, and obviously it's easy to hide :) Let me know what you decide though, and good luck!
An intersting article and good photos. In India tattoo is very popular in tribal women. Now some women in cities are also going for this. I find the tattoo on the naval very sexy.
Love this site! The tattoo's are amazing.. I love the one that says Dream as if you'll live forever Live as if tou'll die today.. Have you any idea were i cud get that in hebrew? Cheers
Hi Amy Lou -- Thanks for the positive feedback. Try some of the links over at this page: http://hubpages.com/hub/Tattoo_Ideas_Hebrew_Words_
The postal service line is beautiful "i want life in every word to the extent that it's absurd" the song is beautiful, and i've always wanted lyrics. such as the postal service's "there is truth, and love is real", I was also considering "You can't kill heroes" (from the spill canvas song) because i find it inspiring, "The world is hers" (dashboard confessional), "Remember to Breathe" (dashboard confessional), or "Painful realization that all has gone wrong"(dashboard confessional).
i know, alot of dashboard, but i can't decide, each line is in a song that has represented a phase in my life in which i'll never forget. So any would be great, but i'm not sure which one to pick. ALSO, i don't know where i can get it, i'm a little nervous about the side of my ribs, any ideas? THANK YOU
Jaclyn -- I love, love, LOVE the "there is truth, and love is real" lyric. I think that would look AMAZING as a tattoo. For the record, the side of the body over the ribs is pretty painful from what I've been told. Any area where the skin is thin and there isn't a lot of muscle is probably gonna hurt. But you could fit those lyrics anywhere, luckily -- around your arm, wrist, back of your neck, even across the top of your back, like from shoulder to shoulder. Let me know if you end up getting it done :)
guys tattoo syas dont think twice x
Hey- I'm going to be turning 18 on November 6th and I'm really interested in getting a tattoo. I really like Lindsay Lohan's, I think the words look pretty and they mean something important. I'm looking to get it in the same spot as her too, but I'm not sure if I want that exact quotes, but i want it to something short and sweet just like La Vita Bella. Also... this will be my first tattoo, is it really as painful as some people make it out to be?
Thanks-
Taryn
OMG! i just found this site and it's amazing. oddly enough i dont know alot of people who have tattoos (minus my stepdad but his are shitty and that's why he doesnt want me to get one). but for the longest time i've wanted to get "anger stirs up lies" in greek on my wrist in greek and "the past cannot be cured" in latin on my other wrist (possibly) "an eye for an eye makes the world blind" but i suddenly realized a ran out of room, lol. i dont want a tattoo on my back cause i like to be able to see it and i want it to be visible but my wrist are possibly taken (i have yet to get ONE tattoo) any advice on my ideas and placement?
Hey CeeCee, thanks for your comment! I LOVE the "the past cannot be cured" idea, a lot. Check out these other hubs, they're about greek and latin tattoos :)
Heyyy i was thinking of tattooing my lower back with a phrase like "what doesnt kill me makes me stronger", "faith,hope,love" or "my imperfections complete me" or do you think it sounds better as " i am perfect with my imperfections"? And then below that script, i want my initials in fancy fancy script.
I was thinking of inking it either in ancient Greek, Latin or Hebrew. This is my first tattoo and im kind of nervous but ive decided that i want some thing that can always remind me that whatever happens, life is beautiful :) My friend has one with just a design, and she did it spontaneously. No doubt it looks great, but it doesnt have an inner meaning to her as she did it just for the sake of fashion.
I have been having low self esteem since i dont know when, so i want it to be like a inpiration for me. Do you know of any phrases that boosts self confidence? Thank you loads.
i want my tattoo to be perfect.
Hey Nicole, thanks for your comment. Okay, I definitely love your tattoo ideas. Personally, I like "I am perfect with my imperfections" a lot. It has a nice ring to it and expresses a sentiment that I wish more people could understand. I don't know if you believe in God or whatnot, but whoever created you did so with a plan in mind. Each curve and every line was specifically designed to make you who you are, and you are beautiful. I can say this without even ever seeing you because your mind is beautiful, it comes across in your thoughts and your ideas about what you want marked on your body for life.
As for Greek, Latin and Hebrew, I wrote a couple hubs about those types of tattoos as well. They all have a section of quotes translated into English also.
http://hubpages.com/hub/Tattoo_Ideas_Latin_Words_P
http://hubpages.com/hub/Tattoo_Ideas_Greek_Words_P
http://hubpages.com/hub/Tattoo_Ideas_Hebrew_Words_
For quotes about confidence and self esteem, God, I can think of tons. Some of my favorites are "Being different was my cross to bear, but being aware of it was my compensation" ... "It's not who you are that holds you back, it's who you think you're not" ... "People are like stained-glass windows. They sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in their true beauty is revealed only if there is light from within." (Elisabeth Kübler-Ross)
Actually, this site here is full of good ones: http://www.quotegarden.com/confidence.html
Good luck, and let me know what you decide!
Heyy its me again! :D and yeeaaah i checked out those hubs before you reccomended them already :D hehe, but oh. i was talking to my friend about the tattoo and she told me she thinks the phrase "i am perfect with my imperfections" sounded abit 'teenager-ish'. What do you think :S
My sister and I are wanting to get a tattoo with a quote. I need ideas if anyone can give us some. Something about the past or family. Any Ideas?
hey this site is amazing and cool i think its great that theres so many ppl that express them selves through tats i have one on my back it means alot to me because of what ive been through and it shows that no matter what happens u can always avoid things u dont want ny ways it says "the past can not be changed, but the future can be avoided" and its in a really nice fancy font.
Hey! Thanks for this article. I was tossing around the idea of getting a symbol for "happiness." This article completely agreed with my intuition. Why get a symbol when it the word is all you need. However, I would love to go with a quote. Do you have any advice on how to find synonyms or quotes for "happiness?" Thanks again.
im looking for a phrase to get tattooed down my rib cage symbolising not only family but everyone that has stood by me in the past few years something like " live for those i love" but not in those words any ideas
thankyou
i am getting a tatoo to honour a friend who passesed whose intials are sml. i also want to ring an element my own life into the tattoo and create a phrase around the initials. for example., strength, memories, love. any ideas about a phrase or words that fit nicely together?
So, my husband and i are thinking of getting matching tattoo's. a key and a lock. I'd get the key and he'd get the lock. I've been looking at reference photo's and have an idea of what i want. But everyone is telling me i'll regret it, not to do it. etc..the way i see it.. i'll only regret it if i allow myself to regret it. And even though later on i might think " it probably wasnt wise" i won't regret it..because it was a part of my life, and a part of me. And he's my husband. It's not like he's my boyfriend. To me..marriage is forever.. divorce isn't an option. We really want to do it..what do you think?
i was wondering if u knew the font that the girl with the "for those i love i will sacrifice" used for her tat??
thanks
I love all the tattoo's above! Thank you all of you for sharing them. I already have three tattoo's. I have egyption heiroglyphics (the little pictures) they mean seeing eternity in english... I have a japanese symbol for strength and a butterfly with the eye of horus in the wing which means protection against all evil... now i want to put in spanish next to the butterfly "she flies with her own wings"? Anyone have an opinion? I would love to hear it....
I got cherries on my shoulder when I was 16 & a rose vine around my naval when I was 18. Since then I have had a 10 lb baby boy who really did a number on my stomach & my tattoo! I don't want people to see my belly anymore but I am still proud of my "war marks" it reminds me of the pain I went through & who I am because of my son! I want to get a quote around my huge rose vine so when people see it they can't say "Ewwww... look at her!" Any suggestions???
im thinking about gettin another tattoo... this time i want "one day i will find me" but dont know where to get it... i alread have tattoos on my forearms and stuff so it cant be there obviously. i saw some on with it on the upper arm but the work reads from elbow to shoulder... i dont know if that will look right... any ideas on other places?
hi i like the idea of a written tattoo like your wake your dreams. im thinking of geting one which says take my soul beyond the heavens and let me dream in the stars but im not sure where to have it or which language?any ideas gratefull
the third one is hell! =]
best one there
but what does it say?
heyy, i was wanderin what the name is to tattoos that are reversable if you know what i mean, eg one way it ses life the other way it says death, i want one with my initials one way and my other half's initials the other way
HEY, AWESOME PAGE. I WAS WONDERING IF YOU HAD ANY IDEAS FOR MY TATTOO. I WANT TO GET A PHRASE THAT REMINDS ME TO STAY POSITIVE. I WAS THINKING ABOUT GETTING A SYMBOL BUT THE ONLY ONE I COULD THINK OF IS A PLUS SIGN. I NEED IDEA FOR PHRASES, THE ONLY IDEA I HAVE RIGHT NOW IS "GOD GIVE ME STRENGTH" BUT I WOULD LIKE OTHER SUGGESTIONS FOR POSITIVE THINKING.
i really want a tatto down my ribs in a foreign language, preferabley latin or italian. i want a phrase that means something powerful. would u be able to translate these for me please?
'Wake Your Dreams'
'dream as if you'll live forever, live as if you'll die today'
In fact, to love and to live is 'Pour vivre et aimer'.
From a french canadian girl. :P
does anyone know the font used in the fourth photo (for those I love I will sacrifice)?
Could you please translate these into latin -
''Those who chase, we welcome'' or''Those who chase, we will welcome''
b-cav: It's called an ambigram.
wow this is awesome! ok some life quotes that i really like are "Love Life" plain and simple! for a longer quote i also like "live today as if yesterday never happened, and tomorrow never will!!!"
GOOD LUCK
what font is the first one? i like it a lot
what font is the first one? i like it a lot
I wanted to get on my rib cage:
Seize the day
Seize he night
Doont think twice about it
written in latin?? any ideas where to translate this? ta
whats the font for the first one?
hey!!!!!I want to put tattoos phrases on chinese hindi hebrew?Do you have an idea where can i find it?Thank you you're awesome!!!!!!!!!!11
heyy
thanks heaps your site really help me i just turned 18 and really interested in getting my first tattoo
i was thinking about gettin "this is the dream i dreamt for you" written on my foot as this has special meaning to me. but was just wondering if you have any pictures of similar length tattoos on feet?? not sure on the placement.
thanks heaps
Wow, any girls up for girl on girl action, showing eachother our tattoos!!
im good with my tongue.
Hey
I've wanted to get a tattoo for a year now, but its been tough deciding what to get. I want to get something meaningful and personal. I'm thinking about doing something about my 2 older brothers. We are pretty close and i want it to stay that way. I kinda want to get a symbol meaning "brotherhood" and possibly their initials in a foreign language. Any ideas or advice would be great. Thanks
Hi, I'd like to get my first tattoo. I'm greek and my name Elena means "torch of light" so i'd like to get those words tattooed in greek. I've found a few different translations, but I'm not sure which is correct? Could someone who knows which is right let me know? epappas@student.umass.edu thanks!
φαν?ς του φωτ?ς
φακ?s του ελαφρ?ς
σκυτ?λη του φωτ?ς
carpe diem - seize the day
carpe noctem - seize the night
Hey cool site! I have one tattoo already on my ankle, and I am really considering getting a word or phrase under or around it. Its an irish symbol, a triskell, and it basically is a sign of the holy trinity. if anyone has any suggestions of religious words or phrases I could put around this tattoo please heLP! i was thinking "Shepards we Shall be, for Thee, my LORD, for Thee" (from Boondock Saints) but i'm not sure i want so many words near it. Let me know what you think!
These are absolutely stunning. Good job :)
working
svforme says:
13 months ago
Great hub. Hi from Australia! I had the chinese characters for honour and truth tattooed on my inner arm before joining the Navy (have heaps of other shit too). I took the artists word for the translation, but, if anyone asks me what the tat means, I answer "sweet & sour pork"...just makes it quicker to order takeaway on a Friday night...
Cheers.