Artist (Артист)

Meaning: Actually means 'performer' — an actor, singer or circus artiste. A painter is художник (khudozhnik).

Language: Russian

Literally: artist

Category: Everyday

Origin: Russian follows the French artiste, reserving the word for the performing arts rather than the visual ones.

More false friends — Everyday

• 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.
• Largo — Actually means 'long'. For large, say grande.

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…
• Aktualny (Актуальный) — Actually means 'topical' or 'currently relevant'. For actual (real), say настоящий (nasto…

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