Say What You Mean Across Any Culture

You Know What You Want To Say.
But Will They Hear What You Mean?

❌ Your direct feedback sounds rude
"Why is my German colleague so offended?"

❌ Your polite request gets ignored
"My Brazilian team never pushes back on deadlines"

❌ Your clear ask feels aggressive
"Did I just insult my Japanese client?"

The problem isn't language. It's the unspoken cultural rules nobody teaches you.

Get It Right In 3 Simple Steps

1. Submit Your Message
Tell us what you want to say, who you're sending it to, and the context. Takes 2 minutes.

2. We Translate Culturally
Within 4 hours, we rewrite your message for your target culture—and explain exactly what we changed and why.

3. Send With Confidence
Hit send knowing your message will land the way you intended. No more anxiety, no more rewrites.

See The Difference Cultural Translation Makes

Real situations. Real cultural gaps. Real solutions.

Example 1: "The Direct Feedback"
Danish manager → Brazilian team memberWhat You Want To Say:
"I disagree with your approach on this project. We need to change direction. I need you to speak up more in meetings and challenge my ideas when you think I'm wrong."Why This Fails:
In Brazilian culture, directly disagreeing with your boss is seen as disrespectful and confrontational. "Challenging ideas" sounds like insubordination. The relationship-first communication style values harmony—your message sounds cold and critical.CultureBridge Translation:
"I really value your expertise on this project, and I've been thinking about our approach. I wonder if we might explore an alternative direction together?I want to make sure you know that I truly appreciate when you share different perspectives, especially when you see things I might miss. Your insights in our meetings are incredibly valuable—even when (or especially when) they're different from mine. What are your thoughts on how we could adjust our current strategy?"What Changed:
- Added warmth and relationship-building
- Softened "disagree" to "explore alternative direction together"
- Reframed "challenge me" as "share different perspectives"
- Used questions instead of directives
- Emphasized value and appreciationThe Result:
Your team member feels respected, valued, and safe to contribute—instead of defensive and shut down.

Example 2: "The Client Pushback"
American project manager → Japanese clientWhat You Want To Say:
"Hi Tanaka-san, I need you to push back on the timeline the stakeholders proposed. It's not realistic and we'll fail if we commit to it. Can you tell them it won't work?"Why This Fails:
In Japanese business culture, direct confrontation and saying "no" causes loss of face. Asking a Japanese colleague to openly push back or tell stakeholders something "won't work" puts them in an impossible position. The casual tone ("Hi") and directness feel disrespectful.CultureBridge Translation:
"Dear Tanaka-san,Thank you as always for your valuable partnership on this project. I wanted to respectfully seek your wisdom regarding the timeline proposal from our stakeholders.After careful consideration, I have some concerns about the feasibility given our current resources and scope. I deeply respect the stakeholders' vision, and I want to ensure we deliver work that honors their expectations.I wondered if you might have thoughts on how we could approach a conversation with them about adjusting the timeline to ensure the highest quality outcome? Your guidance on the best way to discuss this would be invaluable.Please let me know your thoughts when convenient."What Changed:
- Added formal opening with gratitude
- Changed "push back" to "seek your wisdom"
- Softened "not realistic" to "concerns about feasibility"
- Removed direct "tell them it won't work" (causes face-loss)
- Asked for their guidance (respects their relationship)
- "When convenient" vs. demanding immediate responseThe Result:
Tanaka-san can navigate the situation with stakeholders while maintaining harmony and face for everyone involved.

Example 3: "The Salary Negotiation"
Brazilian candidate → German hiring managerWhat You Want To Say:
"Thank you for the offer! I'm really excited about this opportunity and the team seems amazing. I was hoping we could discuss the compensation—I was thinking something a bit higher would work better for me, maybe we can find something that works for both of us?"Why This Fails:
German business culture values directness and efficiency. The indirect approach ("hoping we could discuss," "thinking something," "maybe we can find") sounds uncertain and unprofessional. Germans respect people who are clear about what they want.CultureBridge Translation:
"Thank you for the offer. I would like to accept the position and am enthusiastic about contributing to the team.Regarding compensation: based on my experience and market research, I am targeting €X. I believe this reflects the value I will bring to the role.Are you able to meet this figure? If not, I am open to discussing alternatives such as [specific benefits/bonus structure/timeline for review].Please let me know your position so we can finalize the details."What Changed:
- Direct statement of desired salary (no hedging)
- Removed emotional/relationship language
- Clear question: "Are you able to meet this figure?"
- Provided concrete alternatives
- Professional, efficient tone
- Removed "hoping," "maybe," "I was thinking"The Result:
German hiring manager sees you as professional, clear, and confident—exactly what they value in employees. Much higher chance of getting your number.

Built By Someone Who's Made Every Cultural Mistake

So you don't have to

I'll never forget my first week in Saudi Arabia.After shaking hands with our local business partner's CEO, he placed his right hand on my shoulder—a warm gesture of welcome. Wanting to reciprocate, I naturally placed my left hand on his shoulder. He pulled back immediately, looking genuinely offended.I had no idea what went wrong. Later, my boss explained: in Arab culture, the left hand is considered unclean. I'd accidentally insulted someone I was trying to build trust with—all because I didn't understand a simple cultural rule.That was 20 years ago. Since then, I've worked as CFO and CEO across 8 countries on 4 continents: Denmark, South Africa, Kazakhstan, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Jamaica, Gambia, and Brazil. I've negotiated $350M debt restructurings, closed $125M contracts, and scaled teams from 30 to 150 people—all while navigating vastly different communication styles.Here's what I learned: The biggest barrier in international business isn't language. It's the unspoken rules nobody tells you about.In Denmark, disagreeing with your boss shows initiative. In Brazil, it's seen as disrespectful—I spent months convincing my Brazilian team it was safe to share different opinions.In Greece, a heated debate means you care about the topic. In Denmark, raised voices mean the relationship is damaged.In the Middle East, "Inshallah" (if God wills it) isn't evasion—it's deeply embedded faith. In the US, it sounds like you're dodging commitment.These misunderstandings cost real money. They damage relationships. They kill deals. And most people don't even realize they're making them.I married a Greek woman while living in Brazil as a Danish executive. Every day is a master class in cultural translation. When my Greek in-laws show up unannounced for dinner, my Danish instinct to plan everything weeks in advance has to take a back seat. When I thank my mother-in-law for a meal, she's genuinely insulted—offering food is so fundamental to Greek culture that thanking for it implies it was unexpected.That's why I built CultureBridge.Because I've seen brilliant professionals lose opportunities over an email that "came across wrong." I've watched international relationships strain over misunderstood tone. I've fixed million-dollar deals that nearly fell apart because nobody understood the cultural subtext.You shouldn't need to work in 8 countries to communicate effectively across cultures. You just need someone who already has—and can translate not just your words, but your intent.

Choose Your Speed

Need more than 1,500 characters? Email [email protected] for custom pricing.7-day money-back guarantee • Secure payment via Stripe

Common Questions

Q: How is this different from Google Translate?
A: Google Translate converts words. We translate cultural context and intent. We explain WHY something would be misunderstood and HOW to say it correctly for your target culture.Q: What languages do you support?
A: We work with messages in any language, but our focus is on cultural translation—not literal translation. Whether your message is in English, Portuguese, Spanish, or another language, we adapt it for your target culture's communication style.Q: How fast will I get my translation?
A: Standard service: 4 hours during business hours (9am-8pm Brazil time). Rush service: 2 hours. Orders submitted outside business hours are processed first thing next business day.Q: What if I'm not satisfied?
A: We offer a 7-day money-back guarantee. If you're not satisfied, contact us within 7 days and we'll revise it for free or issue a full refund.

Stop Wondering If Your Message Will Land Right

Get expert cultural translation in 4 hours. Send with confidence.

• Get Standard - $18 USD

• Get Rush Translation - $38

Still have questions? Email [email protected]

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Privacy Policy • Terms of Service • Refund Policy

© 2025 CultureBridge. All rights reserved.

Privacy PolicyEffective Date: December 11, 2025CultureBridge ("we," "us," or "our") operates culturebridge.io. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and protect your information.Information We CollectInformation You Provide:
- Email address (for order delivery)
- Message content (for translation services)
- Cultural/communication context you provide
- Payment information (processed securely via Stripe)Automatically Collected:
- Browser type and device information
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- Website usage data via analyticsHow We Use Your InformationWe use your information to:
- Deliver translation services you purchased
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- Send occasional updates (you can opt out)Data Protection- All message content is treated as confidential
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Terms of ServiceEffective Date: December 11, 2025Agreement to Terms: By using CultureBridge services, you agree to these Terms of Service.Our ServicesCultureBridge provides cultural translation services for written communications. We adapt your messages for different cultural communication styles.What We Provide- Cultural translation of your message (up to 1,500 characters per order)
- Explanation of changes made and cultural context
- Delivery within specified timeframe (4 hours standard, 2 hours rush)What We Don't Provide- Legal advice
- Medical advice
- Literal language translation (we focus on cultural adaptation)
- Guaranteed outcomes in your specific situationYour ResponsibilitiesYou agree to:
- Provide accurate information
- Use the service for lawful purposes only
- Not submit content that is threatening, harassing, or illegal
- Not use our translations for deceptive purposesService LimitationsWe cannot guarantee:
- Specific outcomes from using our translations
- That cultural advice applies to every individual in a culture
- Availability outside business hours (9am-8pm Brazil time)Intellectual Property- You retain ownership of content you submit
- We retain ownership of our translations and methodology
- You may use our translations for their intended purposeRefund Policy- 7-day money-back guarantee
- Contact [email protected] within 7 days if unsatisfied
- We'll offer free revision or full refundLimitation of LiabilityCultureBridge is not liable for:
- Outcomes resulting from use of our translations
- Misunderstandings that occur despite our services
- Indirect, incidental, or consequential damagesOur maximum liability is limited to the amount you paid for the service.Dispute Resolution- Disputes will be resolved through good-faith negotiation
- If unresolved, governed by Brazilian law
- Jurisdiction: São Paulo, BrazilService ChangesWe reserve the right to:
- Modify pricing with notice
- Update services or features
- Suspend service for maintenance
- Refuse service for violation of these termsTerminationWe may terminate service if you:
- Violate these terms
- Use service for harmful purposes
- Abuse or harass our teamContactQuestions about these Terms? Email: [email protected]

Refund PolicyEffective Date: December 11, 2025Our GuaranteeWe stand behind the quality of our work. If you're not satisfied with your cultural translation, we'll make it right.7-Day Money-Back GuaranteeYou may request a refund within 7 days of receiving your translation for any reason.How to Request a Refund1. Email [email protected] within 7 days of delivery
2. Include your order number
3. Briefly explain why you're unsatisfied (optional but helpful)Refund ProcessWhen you request a refund, we will:
1. First offer a free revision - often we can fix the issue quickly
2. If still unsatisfied, process a full refund within 5 business days
3. Refund to your original payment method (via Stripe)Rush OrdersRush orders ($38) have the same 7-day refund policy as standard orders.Custom ProjectsFor custom projects over 1,500 characters (quoted separately), refund terms will be specified in the custom quote.Processing TimeRefunds are processed within 5 business days. It may take an additional 5-10 business days for the refund to appear in your account, depending on your payment provider.QuestionsContact us at [email protected] with any questions about refunds.