HONG KONG WRONG: iPhone 7’s New Slogan Translates to ‘This is Penis’ in Cantonese
Posted: September 9, 2016 Filed under: Asia, China, Entertainment, Global, Science & Technology | Tags: 4th Legislative Council of Hong Kong, Anson Chan, Beijing, Cantonese, China, Hong Kong, iPhone, Legislative Council of Hong Kong, Mainland China, Penis, Taiwanese people 1 Comment
The Cantonese language uses subtly different tones to differentiate between words. The Cantonese pronunciation of ‘seven’ (七) uses a ‘cat1’ tone, according to the Chinese Character Database of Chinese University of Hong Kong.
Apple launched its iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus at a live event in San Francisco this week. One of the technology firm’s biggest market is China, which includes the mainland, Taiwan and Hong Kong.
Apple’s ‘This is 7’ slogan for its new iPhone 7 has a rather unfortunate translation in Hong Kong.
Smartphone users have been mocking the technology firm’s latest marketing line because it sounds just like ‘This is penis’ in Cantonese.
China is one of Apple’s biggest markets, but the translations for its new slogan differ drastically across mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan.
“A common example is the Hong Kong’s Chief Executive CY Leung who is nicknamed as ‘689’ after being elected to his post with just 689 votes from an election committee – regrettably missing a ‘seven’.”
Apple boss Tim Cook introduces the iPhone 7 during an Apple special event in San Francisco
While mainlanders and Taiwanese people predominantly speak Mandarin, Hong Kong dwellers typically converse in Cantonese, which is why the comical translation only affects them.
“Earlier this year, Korean technoloy firm Samsung faced similar mockery in Hong Kong following the launch of its Galaxy Note 7.”
Many Cantonese speakers in Hong Kong took to social media to mock the x-rated gaffe, reports Quartz.
Tim Cook unveils newly-designed iPhone 7 at Apple Keynote
“The number ‘seven’ is a common euphemism of a Cantonese profanity word referring to penis, which only differs slightly in the tone. Number ‘seven’ is widely deployed in local politics.”
‘The slogan “7, is here” in China is the best. They got so many “7”s,’ said one Facebook user.
‘Why didn’t people say anything during the launch of Windows 7?’ queried another.
‘How about iPhone 7 Plus? More “7”s?’ suggested another user on the social network.
The iPhone 7 slogan as it appears on Apple’s site in China, Taiwan and Hong Kong (l-r)
WHY SEVEN SOUNDS LIKE PENIS IN CANTONESE
The Cantonese language uses subtly different tones to differentiate between words.
The Cantonese pronunciation of ‘seven’ (七) uses a ‘cat1’ tone, according to the Chinese Character Database of Chinese University of Hong Kong.
The number ‘seven’ is a common euphemism of a Cantonese profanity word referring to penis, which only differs slightly in the tone.
Number ‘seven’ is widely deployed in local politics…(read more)
Source: Daily Mail Online
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pundit from another planet 
This was not a mistake. This is iBrilliance. Now in the worlds largest market Chinese will compete to see who can buy the biggest one.