Rat
Meaning: Actually means 'advice' or 'counsel'. A rat (the rodent) is eine Ratte.
Language: German
Looks like: rat
Category: Everyday
Origin: From Old High German rāt, 'counsel' — unrelated to the English rodent; cf. Rathaus, 'town hall'.
More false friends — Everyday
- Ropa — Actually means 'clothes'. A rope is una cuerda.
- Once — Actually means 'eleven'. For once (one time), say una vez.
- Monnaie — Actually means 'change' or 'coins'. Money in general is l'argent.
- Pasta — Actually means 'folder' or 'briefcase'. Pasta (the food) is massa.
- Big — Actually means 'piglet'. For big, say groot.
- Kind — Actually means 'child'. For kind (nice), say aardig or vriendelijk.
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.
From our idioms
- was das Zeug hält — with maximum intensity or speed; to the absolute limit of one's capacity.
- die Zelte abbrechen — to move away or leave a place; to abandon one's position.
- bei der Stange halten — to keep someone obedient, loyal, or in line through discipline or pressure.