Bra

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

Language: Swedish

Literally: bra (undergarment)

Category: Feelings

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.
• Embarazada — Actually means 'pregnant'. For embarrassed, say avergonzado/a.

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.
• Fart — Actually means 'speed' or 'momentum'. Full fart = full speed ahead.

← Back to False Friends

Loading the full interactive collection…