False friendEverydayDutch

Mening

Meaning: Actually means 'opinion'. Mijn mening = my opinion. The meaning of a word is its betekenis.

Looks like: Meaning

Origin: From menen, 'to think, to hold an opinion'; Dutch gives the sense of a word its own separate noun.

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  • 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.
  • Stol Actually means 'chair' — any chair, backrest included. A stool is en pall.

More Dutch false friends

  • 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.
  • Kind Actually means 'child'. For kind (nice), say aardig or vriendelijk.
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Explore another collection: Untranslatable Words

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

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