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See

Meaning: Actually means 'lake' (der See) or 'sea' (die See). To see is sehen.

Language: German

Literally: see

Category: Places

Origin: A Germanic cousin of English 'sea' that also came to mean an inland lake.

More false friends — Places

  • Fattoria — Actually means 'farm'. A factory is una fabbrica.
  • Librairie — Actually means 'bookshop'. A library is une bibliothèque.
  • Coin — Actually means 'corner'. A coin you spend is une pièce.
  • Location — Actually means 'rental'. Une location de voiture = a car rental. For location (place), sa…
  • Gymnasium — Actually means 'grammar school' or 'academic high school'. A sports hall is eine Turnhall…
  • Camera — Actually means 'room'. A camera (device) is una macchina fotografica.

More German false friends

  • 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.
  • Chef — Actually means 'boss' or 'manager'. A cook is ein Koch.

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