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Gymnasium

Meaning: Actually means 'grammar school' or 'academic high school'. A sports hall is eine Turnhalle.

Language: German

Literally: gymnasium / gym

Category: Places

Origin: From Greek gymnasion; in Germany (and much of Europe), it means an elite secondary school.

More false friends — Places

  • Camera — Actually means 'room'. A camera (device) is una macchina fotografica.
  • Magazzino — Actually means 'warehouse' or 'storeroom'. A magazine (periodical) is una rivista.
  • Magazin (Магазин) — Actually means 'shop' or 'store'. A magazine (periodical) is журнал (zhurnal).
  • See — Actually means 'lake' (der See) or 'sea' (die See). To see is sehen.
  • Fattoria — Actually means 'farm'. A factory is una fabbrica.
  • Librairie — Actually means 'bookshop'. A library is une bibliothèque.

More German false friends

  • 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.
  • 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.

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