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Aktualny (Актуальный)

Meaning: Actually means 'topical' or 'currently relevant'. For actual (real), say настоящий (nastoyashchiy).

Language: Russian

Literally: actual

Category: Everyday

Origin: The same trap as Spanish actual and French actuel: Latin actualis froze on 'of this moment' across the continent, while English took it for emphasis.

More false friends — Everyday

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  • Gift — Actually means 'poison'. A present is ein Geschenk.
  • Éxito — Actually means 'success'. An exit is una salida.
  • Handy — Actually means 'a mobile phone'. For handy/useful, say praktisch.
  • Fast — Actually means 'almost'. For fast/quick, say schnell.
  • Actual — Actually means 'current' or 'present'. For actual (real), say real or verdadero.

More Russian false friends

  • Magazin (Магазин) — Actually means 'shop' or 'store'. A magazine (periodical) is журнал (zhurnal).
  • Familiya (Фамилия) — Actually means 'surname'. A family is семья (semya).
  • Intelligentny (Интеллигентный) — Actually means 'cultured' and 'well-mannered'. For clever, say умный (umny).
  • Simpatichny (Симпатичный) — Actually means 'good-looking' or 'likeable'. For sympathetic, say сочувствующий (sochuvst…

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