Gift
German
poison
gift
English
a present
Example
Vorsicht, das ist Gift! | Thank you for the lovely gift.
Words that look similar to English but have different meanings. Avoid common mistakes!
False friends can be tricky! These words look similar between languages but have different meanings. Study them carefully to avoid common mistakes.
88 false friends found
German
poison
English
a present
Example
Vorsicht, das ist Gift! | Thank you for the lovely gift.
German
to get/receive
English
to turn into
Example
Ich habe ein Geschenk bekommen. | She became a doctor.
German
secondary school/high school
English
sports hall
Example
Meine Tochter geht aufs Gymnasium. | We play basketball in the gymnasium.
German
so/therefore
English
in addition/too
Example
Also, ich gehe jetzt. | I also want to come.
German
soon
English
having no hair
Example
Ich komme bald zurück. | He is going bald.
German
letter
English
short/concise
Example
Ich schreibe einen Brief. | Please be brief.
German
factory
English
cloth/material
Example
Er arbeitet in einer Fabrik. | This fabric is soft.
German
manure/dung
English
light fog
Example
Der Bauer bringt Mist auf das Feld. | There was a light mist this morning.
German
novel
English
from Rome
Example
Ich lese gern Romane. | The Roman Empire was vast.
German
boss
English
cook
Example
Mein Chef ist sehr nett. | The chef prepared a delicious meal.
German
possibly/perhaps
English
in the end/finally
Example
Eventuell komme ich morgen. | He eventually finished his homework.
German
trillion (10¹²)
English
thousand million (10⁹)
Example
Eine Billion Euro sind sehr viel Geld. | The company is worth billions.
German
cafeteria
English
water bottle
Example
Wir essen in der Kantine. | I filled my canteen with water.
German
brilliant/ingenious
English
friendly/pleasant
Example
Das ist eine geniale Idee! | He has a genial personality.
German
folder/briefcase
English
geographical chart
Example
Ich habe meine Mappe vergessen. | Can you check the map?
German
slogan/motto
English
conditional release from prison
Example
Die Parole der Demonstration war klar. | He was released on parole.
German
lake
English
to view with eyes
Example
Der See ist sehr schön. | I can see the mountains.
German
boat
English
footwear
Example
Wir fahren mit dem Boot. | I need new boots.
German
potato chips/crisps
English
french fries (US)
Example
Ich esse gern Chips. | I ordered fish and chips.
German
mobile phone
English
convenient/useful
Example
Mein Handy ist kaputt. | This tool is very handy.
German
tuxedo
English
inhaling tobacco
Example
Er trägt einen Smoking. | Smoking is bad for your health.
German
consistent/persistent
English
resulting from
Example
Sie arbeitet sehr konsequent. | The consequent damage was severe.
German
liking/affection
English
compassion for suffering
Example
Ich habe viel Sympathie für sie. | I have sympathy for his loss.
German
current/up-to-date
English
real/factual
Example
Das sind die aktuellen Nachrichten. | What was the actual cost?
German
type/kind/species
English
creative works
Example
Welche Art von Musik magst du? | I love modern art.
German
advice/council
English
rodent
Example
Kannst du mir einen Rat geben? | There is a rat in the basement.
German
prescription/recipe
English
proof of purchase
Example
Ich brauche ein Rezept vom Arzt. | Keep the receipt for your records.
German
cunning/trickery
English
enumeration
Example
Er benutzt List, um zu gewinnen. | Make a shopping list.
German
button/key
English
flavor/sense
Example
Drück die Taste! | This has a sweet taste.
German
almost/nearly
English
quick
Example
Ich bin fast fertig. | She runs very fast.
German
condom
English
food additive
Example
Präservative schützen vor Krankheiten. | This jam has no preservatives.
German
bankruptcy
English
public space/gathering
Example
Die Firma ging Konkurs. | Meet me at the station concourse.
German
newsstand/small shop
English
information booth
Example
Ich kaufe Zeitungen am Kiosk. | Use the kiosk to check in.
German
sound/tone/clay
English
weight measure (2000 lbs)
Example
Der Ton ist zu laut. | The truck weighs two tons.
German
inspection/check
English
power/command
Example
Es gibt eine Passkontrolle. | He lost control of the car.
German
guesthouse/B&B
English
retirement income
Example
Wir übernachten in einer Pension. | He receives a pension.
German
commission (sales)
English
supply/clause
Example
Er bekommt eine hohe Provision. | Make provision for emergencies.
German
railway car/carriage
English
horse-drawn cart
Example
Ich sitze im ersten Wagon. | The pioneers traveled by wagon.
German
can/tin
English
measured amount of medicine
Example
Ich öffne eine Dose Tomaten. | Take the correct dose.
German
poster
English
protest sign
Example
Das Plakat hängt an der Wand. | Protesters carried placards.
German
pub/restaurant
English
nearby/regional
Example
Wir treffen uns im Lokal. | Buy local produce.
German
underwear/briefs
English
to slide/error
Example
Ich brauche einen neuen Slip. | Be careful not to slip.
German
opinion
English
definition/sense
Example
Das ist meine Meinung. | What is the meaning of this word?
German
luxury/convenience
English
consolation/ease
Example
Das Hotel bietet viel Komfort. | She needs comfort after the loss.
German
company
English
solid/steady
Example
Ich arbeite bei einer großen Firma. | The ground is firm.
German
photographer
English
picture/image
Example
Der Fotograf macht tolle Bilder. | This is a beautiful photograph.
German
bombast/pomposity
English
emotional appeal/pity
Example
Seine Rede war voll von Pathos. | The story is full of pathos.
German
to donate
English
to use money/time
Example
Ich spende Geld für wohltätige Zwecke. | I spend too much money.
German
sound (pleasant)
English
loud metallic sound
Example
Der Klang der Musik ist schön. | The clang of the bell was loud.
German
agreement/settlement
English
weakening of principles
Example
Wir haben einen Kompromiss gefunden. | Never compromise your values.
German
flower container
English
decorative container
Example
Die Blumen stehen in der Vase. | Put the flowers in the vase.
German
cartridge/ammunition
English
customer/supporter
Example
Die Patronen sind leer. | Thank you for being a patron.
German
circus performer/acrobat
English
creative person
Example
Der Artist macht gefährliche Tricks. | She is a talented artist.
German
pants/trousers
English
flexible tube for water
Example
Ich brauche eine neue Hose. | Use the hose to water the garden.
German
to implement/carry out
English
to understand/become aware
Example
Wir müssen das Projekt realisieren. | I realize my mistake now.
German
writer (general)
English
writer of books
Example
Der Autor schreibt einen Artikel. | My favorite author wrote this novel.
German
commitment/involvement
English
marriage agreement
Example
Sein Engagement für die Umwelt ist groß. | They announced their engagement.
German
left/on the left
English
connections/hyperlinks
Example
Biegen Sie links ab. | Click on the links.
English
present
German
poison
Example
She gave me a gift. | Das Gift ist gefährlich.
English
to turn into
German
to receive, to get
Example
She became a doctor. | Ich habe ein Geschenk bekommen.
English
too, as well
German
therefore, so
Example
I also like pizza. | Also, ich gehe jetzt.
English
having no hair
German
soon
Example
He is going bald. | Ich komme bald zurück.
English
professional cook
German
boss
Example
The chef prepared a great meal. | Mein Chef ist sehr streng.
English
cloth material
German
factory
Example
This fabric is soft. | Er arbeitet in einer Fabrik.
English
quick, rapid
German
almost, nearly
Example
He runs very fast. | Ich bin fast fertig.
English
courageous
German
well-behaved, good
Example
She was very brave. | Das Kind ist sehr brav.
English
real, true
German
current, up-to-date
Example
What is the actual cost? | Das ist die aktuelle Situation.
English
place for sports and exercise
German
academic high school
Example
I work out at the gymnasium. | Sie geht aufs Gymnasium.
English
type, sort OR friendly
German
child
Example
She is a kind person. | Das Kind spielt im Garten.
English
1,000,000
German
one thousand (in some contexts)
Example
He won a million dollars. | Eintausend ist auf Französisch mille.
English
light fog
German
manure, dung OR rubbish (slang)
Example
There is mist in the morning. | Das ist totaler Mist!
English
written message
German
grade, mark (in school)
Example
I left you a note. | Ich habe eine gute Note bekommen.
English
list of food
German
set meal (fixed menu)
Example
Can I see the menu? | Ich nehme das Tagesmenü.
English
easily affected emotionally
German
sensitive (same meaning, but beware...)
Example
He is very sensitive. | Sie ist sehr sensibel.
English
funeral director
German
entrepreneur
Example
The undertaker organized the funeral. | Er ist ein erfolgreicher Unternehmer.
English
rodent
German
advice, council
Example
There is a rat in the basement. | Ich brauche deinen Rat.
English
corridor or large room
German
large indoor space, arena
Example
Wait in the hall. | Das Konzert ist in der Halle.
English
useful, convenient
German
mobile phone
Example
This tool is very handy. | Mein Handy ist kaputt.
English
possibility, potential
German
brochure, leaflet
Example
The job has good prospects. | Ich habe einen Prospekt vom Hotel.
English
container
German
speaker (audio), boxing (sport)
Example
Put it in the box. | Die Box ist sehr laut.
English
act of using tobacco
German
tuxedo
Example
No smoking allowed here. | Er trägt einen Smoking.
English
empty, not written on
German
shiny, polished
Example
Leave the page blank. | Die Schuhe sind blank poliert.
English
creative person (painter, etc.)
German
circus performer, acrobat
Example
She is a talented artist. | Der Artist macht gefährliche Tricks.
English
following in time
German
anus (vulgar slang)
Example
I will call you after work. | Das ist ein vulgäres Wort.
English
heavenly being
German
fishing rod
Example
She looks like an angel. | Ich brauche eine neue Angel.
English
short, concise
German
letter
Example
Please be brief. | Ich habe einen Brief geschrieben.
English
to perceive with eyes
German
lake OR sea (depending on gender)
Example
I can see the mountain. | Der See ist sehr schön.
English
device for taking photos
German
video camera (primarily)
Example
I bought a new camera. | Die Kamera zeichnet alles auf.
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