False friendEverydayDutch

Kind

Meaning: Actually means 'child'. For kind (nice), say aardig or vriendelijk.

Looks like: Kind (nice)

Origin: Cognate with German Kind, 'child' — the same word English already borrowed inside 'kindergarten'.

More false friends — Everyday

  • Wet Actually means 'law'. For wet, say nat.
  • Elf Actually means 'eleven'. Elf uur = eleven o'clock.
  • Mening Actually means 'opinion'. Mijn mening = my opinion. The meaning of a word is its betekeni…
  • Puxe Actually means 'pull' — the imperative of puxar. The door sign telling you to push says e…
  • Costume Actually means 'custom' or 'habit'. Como de costume = as usual. An outfit is um traje or…
  • Barn Actually means 'child'. A barn is en lada.

More Dutch false friends

  • Brutaal Actually means 'cheeky' or 'impudent'. For brutal, say wreed or bruut.
  • Slagroom Actually means 'whipped cream'.
  • Slim Actually means 'clever' or 'smart'. Hij is slim = He's clever.
  • Stout Actually means 'naughty' or 'mischievous'. Een stoute jongen = a naughty boy.
  • Beer Actually means 'bear'. The drink you order is een bier.
  • Big Actually means 'piglet'. For big, say groot.

Explore another collection: Untranslatable Words

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

  • Boketto Staring off into the distance with your mind pleasantly empty, thinking of nothing at all.
  • Pålegg Anything you might put on a slice of bread — cheese, ham, jam, egg, whatever — gathered u…
  • Avos' A blind, hopeful trust that things will somehow work out on their own — leaving the outco…

Browse all untranslatable words →

Keep exploring

Explore all false friends →