Rar
Meaning: Actually means 'sweet' or 'kind'. En rar person is a lovely person. (In Norwegian, rar means 'strange' — another Nordic pair that split.)
Language: Swedish
Literally: rare
Category: Feelings
Origin: Swedish uses it affectionately, Norwegian for oddity; the two languages took the same adjective in opposite directions, much like rolig.
More false friends — Feelings
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- Embarazada — Actually means 'pregnant'. For embarrassed, say avergonzado/a.
- Sensible — Actually means 'sensitive'. For sensible/level-headed, say raisonnable.
- Bravo — Actually means 'good, skilled, well-behaved'. For brave, say coraggioso.
More Swedish false friends
- Grind — Actually means 'gate' — the garden or field kind. To grind is mala.
- Stol — Actually means 'chair' — any chair, backrest included. A stool is en pall.
- Fart — Actually means 'speed' or 'momentum'. Full fart = full speed ahead.
- Bra — Actually means 'good'. Det är bra = That's good.
- Glass — Actually means 'ice cream'. En glass = an ice cream. For a glass (vessel), say ett glas.
- Semester — Actually means 'holiday' or 'vacation'. A school semester is en termin.
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