Handy

Meaning: Actually means 'a mobile phone'. For handy/useful, say praktisch.

Language: German

Literally: handy

Category: Everyday

Origin: A pseudo-English coinage that never meant 'convenient' in German.

More false friends — Everyday

• Fast — Actually means 'almost'. For fast/quick, say schnell.
• Actual — Actually means 'current' or 'present'. For actual (real), say real or verdadero.
• Largo — Actually means 'long'. For large, say grande.
• Carpeta — Actually means 'folder' or 'binder'. A carpet is una alfombra.
• Lectura — Actually means 'reading'. A lecture is una conferencia.
• Compromiso — Actually means 'commitment', 'obligation', or 'engagement'. For a negotiated compromise,…

More German false friends

• Rock — Actually means 'skirt'. A rock (stone) is ein Stein.
• Brief — Actually means 'letter' (the kind you post). For brief (short), say kurz.
• Chef — Actually means 'boss' or 'manager'. A cook is ein Koch.
• Gymnasium — Actually means 'grammar school' or 'academic high school'. A sports hall is eine Turnhall…
• 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…

← Back to False Friends

Loading the full interactive collection…