False friendEverydayNorwegian

Full

Meaning: Actually means 'drunk'. Jeg er full = I'm drunk — not full after a meal.

Looks like: Full (not empty)

Origin: Same spelling as English 'full' but means intoxicated; context is everything at a Norwegian dinner table.

More false friends — Everyday

  • 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.
  • Once Actually means 'eleven'. For once (one time), say una vez.
  • Monnaie Actually means 'change' or 'coins'. Money in general is l'argent.

More Norwegian false friends

  • Rolig Actually means 'calm' or 'quiet'. (Confusingly, in Swedish rolig means 'funny' — a false…
  • Time Actually means 'hour'. En halv time = half an hour. Time in the general sense is tid.
  • Sky Actually means 'cloud'. The sky overhead is himmelen.
  • Grine Actually means 'to cry' or to pull a sour face. In Danish, grine means 'to laugh' — the e…
  • Frokost Actually means 'breakfast'. In Danish the same word means 'lunch' — so a cross-border inv…

Explore another collection: Untranslatable Words

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

  • Matpakke The plain packed lunch of open sandwiches in paper, eaten at your desk — a small national…
  • Takk for sist A greeting that thanks someone for the previous occasion you met, acknowledging shared hi…
  • Forelsket The overwhelming, almost dizzy euphoria of falling in love — that specific state of early…

Browse all untranslatable words →

Keep exploring

Explore all false friends →