False friendEveryday
German
Rat
Meaning: Actually means 'advice' or 'counsel'. A rat (the rodent) is eine Ratte.
Origin: From Old High German rāt, 'counsel' — unrelated to the English rodent; cf. Rathaus, 'town hall'.
More German false friends
- See Actually means 'lake' (der See) or 'sea' (die See). To see is sehen.
- Gift Actually means 'poison'. A present is ein Geschenk.
- Handy Actually means 'a mobile phone'. For handy/useful, say praktisch.
- Fast Actually means 'almost'. For fast/quick, say schnell.
- Rock Actually means 'skirt'. A rock (stone) is ein Stein.
- Brief Actually means 'letter' (the kind you post). For brief (short), say kurz.
Explore another collection: Idioms
Colorful expressions from dozens of languages, with their word-for-word translations.
- keine zehn Pferde nothing could force or move one; obstinate refusal or immovable determination.
- mundtot machen to silence or suppress someone; to rob them of the ability or right to speak.
- wie ein Blinder von der Farbe reden to discuss or explain something one has no direct experience or understanding of; to spea…
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