Are hard to translate because they rely on the way words look and sound in a specific language not just what mean apex?

You're absolutely right! Puns are notoriously difficult to translate because they rely heavily on the specific sounds and structures of a language.

Here's why:

* Wordplay: Puns often play on the multiple meanings of a word, or on words that sound alike but have different meanings. This linguistic trickery doesn't always translate well across languages.

* Phonetic Similarity: Puns frequently exploit the sound of a word, even if it's not directly related to the meaning. This relies on how words are pronounced and the sounds they create, which can be vastly different in another language.

* Cultural Context: A pun can be culturally specific, referencing a popular phrase, a historical event, or a shared understanding within a particular culture. This can be lost in translation if the target audience is unfamiliar with the original context.

Examples:

* "I'm reading a book about anti-gravity. It's impossible to put down!" This pun relies on the phrase "put down" having two meanings: to stop reading a book and to physically lower something. This wordplay might not work in a language where "put down" doesn't have this double meaning.

* "Why don't scientists trust atoms? Because they make up everything!" This pun relies on the word "make up" having two meanings: to create something and to lie or fabricate. This meaning might be lost in translation if "make up" has only one meaning in the target language.

So, while the meaning of a pun might be translatable, the humor and wit often get lost in translation.