False friendEverydayGerman

Chef

Meaning: Actually means 'boss' or 'manager'. A cook is ein Koch.

Looks like: Chef (cook)

Origin: From French chef, 'head' — German kept the management meaning; English narrowed it to the kitchen.

More false friends — Everyday

  • Smoking Actually means 'tuxedo' or 'dinner jacket'. The verb (smoking cigarettes) is rauchen.
  • Eventuell Actually means 'possibly' or 'perhaps'. Eventuell komme ich = Maybe I'll come — not 'I'll…
  • Mist Actually means 'manure' or 'dung'. Foggy mist is Nebel or Dunst.
  • Oldtimer Actually means 'vintage car' or 'classic aircraft'. A veteran person is ein Veteran.
  • Pretendere Actually means 'to demand' or 'to expect'. Pretende troppo = He demands too much.
  • Parente Actually means 'relative'. A parent (mother or father) is un genitore.

More German false friends

  • Gymnasium Actually means 'grammar school' or 'academic high school'. A sports hall is eine Turnhall…
  • Bekommen Actually means 'to receive' or 'to get'. To become is werden.
  • Rat Actually means 'advice' or 'counsel'. A rat (the rodent) is eine Ratte.
  • See Actually means 'lake' (der See) or 'sea' (die See). To see is sehen.
  • Gift Actually means 'poison'. A present is ein Geschenk.
  • Handy Actually means 'a mobile phone'. For handy/useful, say praktisch.

Explore another collection: Untranslatable Words

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

  • Fremdschämen The vicarious embarrassment you feel for someone who is doing something cringeworthy — ev…
  • Drachenfutter A peace-offering gift brought home to a partner after staying out too late or doing somet…
  • Verschlimmbessern To make something worse in a well-intentioned attempt to improve it.

Browse all untranslatable words →

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