Fart
Meaning: Actually means 'speed' or 'momentum'. Full fart = full speed ahead.
Language: Swedish
Looks like: fart
Category: Everyday
Origin: From Old Norse ferð, 'journey/movement' — a perfectly respectable word in Scandinavia.
More false friends — Everyday
- Semester — Actually means 'holiday' or 'vacation'. A school semester is en termin.
- Full — Actually means 'drunk'. Jeg er full = I'm drunk — not full after a meal.
- Jornal — Actually means 'newspaper'. For a personal journal (diary), say diário.
- 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.
- Ropa — Actually means 'clothes'. A rope is una cuerda.
More Swedish false friends
- Bra — Actually means 'good'. Det är bra = That's good.
- Glass — Actually means 'ice cream'. En glass = an ice cream. For a glass (vessel), say ett glas.
- 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…
From our compliments & insults
- Peau de vache — A mean, difficult, and unpleasant person — tough and unyielding like tanned hide.
- Eres un aguafiestas — You're a killjoy — you pour cold water on everyone's fun the moment you arrive.
- ¡Qué cara más dura! — You've got incredible nerve and cheek — the audacity is almost impressive.