When auto-translation says ‘nag-abono’ is ‘fertilized’, internet breaks into chuckle

FILE PHOTO: Twitter app logo is seen in this illustration taken on August 22, 2022. REUTERS / Dado Ruvic / Illustration

MANILA, Philippines — A conversation between a delivery rider and a journalist has drawn laughter from netizens after the delivery app auto-translated the Filipino term “nag abono” into “fertilized.”

In a now-viral Twitter post, journalist and model Ganiel Krishnan shared a photo of her conversation with a delivery rider, who informed her that he “fertilized 2,405 (pesos)” when he only meant that he already paid the fee for the food order.

Based on their exchange, Krishnan acknowledged his message by answering, “Okay po.” The delivery rider attempted to clarify what he meant but a later message showed, “I fertilized.”

In the photo caption, Krishnan explained that she tried to understand what the delivery rider was struggling to convey – that he was trying to tell her that he already paid for the food she ordered, an act called “abono” in Filipino.

Unintentionally, “abono” also refers to a type of organic fertilizer that is usually made from carabao or cow dung and other natural materials to help improve soil conditions for better crop yield.

“Pinilit ko intindihin si kuya foodpanda driver. Nag abono pala siya. Fertilize nga naman,” she wrote with crying and laughing emojis.

(I tried to understand the foodpanda driver. That he paid the fee for the food. Yeah, fertilize.)

Pinilit ko intindihin si kuya foodpanda driver. 😭🤣 Nag abono pala siya. Fertilize nga naman. pic.twitter.com/CnezieBbSi

— Ganiel Krishnan (@KrishnanGaniel) January 26, 2023

Krishnan’s original tweet garnered at least 1.1 million views as of writing.

In a subsequent Twitter post, the broadcast journalist clarified that the delivery app’s auto-translation function interpreted “abono” to “fertilizer.”

“Also para po clear, Hindi naman pala ito sinadya ni kuya driver. Naka auto translate po ‘yung setting nung app. Napag alaman ko lang po,” she added.

(Also just to be clear, the delivery driver did not intend to do this. The auto-translate setting of the application is just on. I just learned.)

Also para po clear, Hindi naman pala ito sinadya ni kuya driver. Naka auto translate po yung setting nung app. Napag alaman ko lang po. ❤️☺️

— Ganiel Krishnan (@KrishnanGaniel) January 26, 2023

Netizens said they were also surprised at first, but quickly realized that fertilizers are likewise called “abono” in Filipino.

https://twitter.com/rhuzel24/status/1618712836209008640

Napaisip ako ng slight sa fertilize hahahaha, abono nga pala sa tagalog yung pataba sa lupa at halaman 😂

— 𝒥𝒶𝓃𝒹𝒾 ⓥ FRI(END)S 𐤀 💜💚 (@lizasobralupet) January 26, 2023

Kung di ko nabasa yung caption mo, baka hanggang ngayon nag-iisip pa rin ako kung panong fertilize HAHAHAHA

— fangirlingwithmae (@maeramoss) January 26, 2023

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