False friendFeelingsSwedish

Bra

Meaning: Actually means 'good'. Det är bra = That's good.

Looks like: Bra (undergarment)

Origin: From French brave — Swedish kept 'fine/good'; nothing to do with lingerie.

More false friends — Feelings

  • Slim Actually means 'clever' or 'smart'. Hij is slim = He's clever.
  • Stout Actually means 'naughty' or 'mischievous'. Een stoute jongen = a naughty boy.
  • Rolig Actually means 'calm' or 'quiet'. (Confusingly, in Swedish rolig means 'funny' — a false…
  • Déception Actually means 'disappointment'. For deception (a trick), say tromperie.
  • Disgusto Actually means 'displeasure', 'upset', or 'trouble'. For disgust (revulsion), say asco.
  • Brutaal Actually means 'cheeky' or 'impudent'. For brutal, say wreed or bruut.

More Swedish false friends

  • Glass Actually means 'ice cream'. En glass = an ice cream. For a glass (vessel), say ett glas.
  • Semester Actually means 'holiday' or 'vacation'. A school semester is en termin.
  • Barn Actually means 'child'. A barn is en lada.
  • Sex Actually means 'six'. Klockan sex = six o'clock.
  • Bord Actually means 'table'. Ett bord för två = a table for two.
  • Rar Actually means 'sweet' or 'kind'. En rar person is a lovely person. (In Norwegian, rar me…

Explore another collection: Untranslatable Words

Words that capture a feeling or idea English needs a whole sentence for.

  • Fika A ritual pause in the day — coffee, something sweet, good company — that is more about co…
  • Orka To have the energy or will for something. Jag orkar inte carries the whole of 'I can't fa…
  • Hinna To manage something inside the time available — not speed, but fitting the act in before…

Browse all untranslatable words →

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