False friendEverydayGerman

Eventuell

Meaning: Actually means 'possibly' or 'perhaps'. Eventuell komme ich = Maybe I'll come — not 'I'll eventually come'.

Looks like: Eventually

Origin: From Latin eventualis — German took 'contingent'; English took 'at some future point'.

More false friends — Everyday

  • 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.
  • Firma Actually means 'signature'. Metti la tua firma = Put your signature here.
  • Conveniente Actually means 'affordable', 'good value', or 'suitable'. È conveniente = It's a good dea…

More German false friends

  • 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.
  • Fast Actually means 'almost'. For fast/quick, say schnell.

Explore another collection: Idioms

Colorful expressions from dozens of languages, with their word-for-word translations.

  • auf dem Damm In good health and spirits, recovered from illness or hardship.
  • aus dem Off From off-screen or offstage; said of a voice heard without the speaker being seen, or of…
  • den Geist aufgeben to die, or to cease functioning.

Browse all idioms →

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