Common Mistakes When Translating with Artificial Intelligence and How Post-Editing Fixes Them

In recent years, tools like Google Translate, DeepL, and other artificial intelligence platforms have become extremely popular. They are fast, accessible to everyone, and can translate large volumes of text in seconds. But while they may seem like the perfect solution, they are not infallible.

Machine translation can make serious mistakes that affect meaning, tone, or even your brand’s reputation. This is where post-editing comes in—an essential language service for correcting and refining AI-generated texts.

In this article, we’ll show you the most common mistakes made by machine translation and how professional post-editing can help you avoid them.

1. Literal Translations That Don’t Make Sense

One of the most frequent errors is word-for-word translation, without considering context. This results in robotic, confusing, or nonsensical sentences.

Example:Original text: She’s on fire!Machine translation: Ella está en fuego.Correct translation: ¡Ella está imparable!

Post-editing fixes these semantic errors and adapts expressions to the target language.

2. False Friends and Vocabulary Errors

“False friends” are words that look similar in two languages but have different meanings. AI often falls into these traps.

Example:

• Actual (in English) doesn’t mean actual in Spanish—it means real or true.

• Assist doesn’t mean asistir, it means to help.

A professional post-editor recognizes these nuances and corrects them with precision.

3. Incorrect Verb Tenses

Automatic tools often misinterpret verb tenses, especially in complex or technical texts.

Example:Machine translation: Había estado trabajado en el informe.Post-editing correction: Había estado trabajando en el informe.

Post-editing ensures temporal and syntactic consistency throughout the text.

4. Lack of Coherence and Style

AI may translate isolated sentences correctly but lose coherence in longer texts. It also ignores the tone the content should have—formal, technical, marketing, etc.

A post-editor adjusts the style for the target audience and unifies the text’s voice.

5. Omission or Misinterpretation of Technical Terms

In medical, legal, or technical content, AI can omit specific terms or use incorrect synonyms that change the meaning.

Professionals with field expertise ensure the correct use of terminology.

What Exactly Is Post-Editing?

Post-editing is the process of reviewing and correcting translations generated by artificial intelligence. It can be light (basic corrections only) or full (complete review of style, coherence, grammar, and terminology). The goal is to produce a text that sounds natural, accurate, and professional—as if it had been translated by a human from scratch.

Why Is Post-Editing Important?

• Prevents misunderstandings that could damage your professional image

• Saves time, money, and rework

• Improves the reader’s or client’s experience

• Gives your texts trustworthiness and credibility

Artificial intelligence is a powerful tool, but it cannot replace the judgment, cultural sensitivity, and linguistic expertise of a professional. Post-editing combines the best of both worlds—the speed of AI with human precision.

If you use machine translation to speed up processes, make sure you also have professional post-editing services. We can help you transform a “robotic” text into one that truly communicates, connects, and convinces.

Do you have an AI-translated text that needs review?

Write to us and we’ll make sure it’s perfect.