Lost in Translation

Lost in Translation is a cooperative game in which players interpret the meaning of unusual expressions from 35 languages. These are expressions that mean something entirely different from the sum of their parts. English examples (not included in the game) would be "to spill the beans" or "to beat around the bush".

The game consists of cards with one side showing the expression in the original language (and a transcription when non-Roman script is used) and a literal translation into German. The other side shows the actual meaning of the expression. One player draws seven cards from the deck, shuffles them under the table and reads a meaning, then shuffles the cards again and spreads out the cards with the literal translations on the table. The group now has to guess the phrase with that meaning, then flip that card. If correct, the group gains a point. If not, they will flip another card, etc. After flipping ten cards, the game ends and the group tallies their points - the more, the better.

There is also a competitive mode in which players read a literal translation and then write down explanations. A vote on the funniest/most original/most creative answer yields a point; the player with most points after 10 cards is the winner.