False friends
False friends (also known as “false cognates”) are words in the two languages that may look similar but have a different meaning.
German word |
False friend in English |
Fals friend means in German |
German word in English |
(Sitz-)Bank |
bank |
Geldinstitut |
bench |
brav |
brave |
mutig |
well-behaved |
Büro |
biro / bureau |
Kugelschreiber |
office |
Chef |
chef |
Koch |
boss |
Daten |
dates |
Verabredung (privat) |
data |
dementiert |
demented |
wahnsinnig, dement |
denied |
Direktion |
direction |
Richtung |
management |
engagiert |
engaged |
verlobt |
committed |
Fabrik |
fabric |
Stoff |
factory |
fast |
fast |
schnell |
almost |
Gift |
gift |
Geschenk |
poison |
Grund |
ground |
Boden |
reason |
Hausmeister |
housemaster |
Heimleiter |
caretaker |
Hut |
hut |
Hütte |
hat |
Justiz |
justice |
Gerechtigkeit |
legal authorities |
Kaffee |
café |
kleines Restaurant, Café |
coffee |
Konkurrenz |
concurrence |
Einverständnis |
competition |
konsequent |
consequent |
infolgedessen |
consistent |
kontrollieren |
to control |
beherrschen |
to check, to monitor |
Konzept |
concept |
Idee |
draft |
Konzern |
concern |
Angelegenheit, Anliegen |
(corporate) group |
Marke |
mark |
(Zeugnis)note |
brand |
mobben |
to mob |
umringen, umlagern |
to bully, bullying |
Notiz |
notice |
Benachrichtigung |
note |
prägnant |
pregnant |
schwanger |
concise |
Prokurist |
procurer |
Zuhälter |
attorney |
Prospekt |
prospect |
Aussicht |
brochure |
Promotion |
promotion |
Beförderung |
doctorate |
etwas realisieren |
realise |
einsehen |
to implement |
selbstbewusst |
self-conscious |
verlegen |
self-confident |
Studium |
study |
Arbeitszimmer |
studies |
Unternehmer |
undertaker |
Bestatter |
entrepreneur, employer |
Warenhaus |
warehouse |
Lagerhaus |
departement store |
Werbespot |
spot |
Pickel, Punkt |
commercial |
FURTHER INFORMATION