A woman broke down in tears after she realized the true meaning of the tattoo she got while on vacation.
Traveling to a foreign country filled with new experiences and unfamiliar cultures can be exciting—until it leads to a decision you might later regret.
This is exactly what happened to a social media influencer, who went viral after sharing a tearful video about her new tattoo. It's a well-known rule when getting inked in a language you don’t understand: always know what it means.
When getting a tattoo in a language you don't understand, the importance of knowing its meaning cannot be overstated. Tattoos are permanent and often deeply personal, so a misunderstanding can lead to unintended embarrassment or regret. This is especially true when the tattoo is in a foreign language or uses symbols unfamiliar to the wearer. What might seem like a meaningful phrase could translate incorrectly, lose cultural context, or even have an offensive meaning in the language of origin.
For example, people often choose Chinese characters, Sanskrit, or Latin phrases because they find the script visually appealing, but they might not fully grasp the nuances of the language. Mistranslations are common and have led to tattoos meaning something entirely different than intended. Some characters or phrases may even be misspelled or used incorrectly, which can drastically change the meaning.
In many cases, people rely on online translations or untrustworthy sources, leading to errors. As a result, it's crucial to do thorough research or consult native speakers or language experts to avoid mishaps. Ultimately, tattoos are lifelong commitments, and it's essential to ensure the message you're carrying permanently is what you truly want to express.
This concept reflects a broader lesson in cultural respect and personal responsibility, as language and symbols hold significant weight within their native cultures.
However, this Australian TikToker seemed to miss that point.
Amy Dickinson, with over 95,000 followers, posted a video in distress, asking for help to translate the tattoo she got in Fiji.
"I didn’t know that Fijians could be so mean, because now I’ve got a tattoo and I don’t even know what it means," she said.
She then flipped the camera to reveal the tattoo and asked, "Okay, this is my tattoo. What does that even mean?"
The tattoo, which read "Matanivola Levu," was located on her upper thigh—thankfully hidden from most people's view. She attributed her mistake to her spontaneous personality and later jokingly referred to it as being "so brat coded" in a follow-up TikTok.
Thanks to her followers, she eventually discovered the true meaning behind the ink.
One user explained, "That’s 'capital letter' in Fijian."
And yes, Google Translate backed this up.
Another follower humorously pointed out, "That’s actually hilarious—it says 'capital letters' but it’s written in lowercase."
Yet, some suggested an alternate meaning. One comment noted, "'Big Book' in Fijian can mean you have many stories to tell, which could imply you've had many adventures."
Another echoed this, saying, "Matanivola Levu means you are like a big book, full of stories to share. It’s nothing bad, don’t worry."
With some people questioning if the tattoo was even real, Amy posted another video, confirming it was permanent by lifting her shorts to reveal the words.
The moral of the story? Always understand what you're committing to when it comes to permanent ink.
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