Familiya (Фамилия)

Meaning: Actually means 'surname'. A family is семья (semya).

Language: Russian

Literally: family

Category: Everyday

Origin: From Latin familia, which Russian narrowed to the one thing a family passes down — its name.

More false friends — Everyday

• Aktualny (Актуальный) — Actually means 'topical' or 'currently relevant'. For actual (real), say настоящий (nasto…
• Artist (Артист) — Actually means 'performer' — an actor, singer or circus artiste. A painter is художник (k…
• 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.

More Russian false friends

• 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…
• Magazin (Магазин) — Actually means 'shop' or 'store'. A magazine (periodical) is журнал (zhurnal).

← Back to False Friends

Loading the full interactive collection…