False friendEverydaySwedish

Semester

Meaning: Actually means 'holiday' or 'vacation'. A school semester is en termin.

Looks like: Semester (school term)

Origin: From Latin semestris, 'six-month period' — Swedish uses it for the break itself, not the academic period.

More false friends — Everyday

  • Full Actually means 'drunk'. Jeg er full = I'm drunk — not full after a meal.
  • Jornal Actually means 'newspaper'. For a personal journal (diary), say diário.
  • Bekommen Actually means 'to receive' or 'to get'. To become is werden.
  • Rat Actually means 'advice' or 'counsel'. A rat (the rodent) is eine Ratte.
  • Ropa Actually means 'clothes'. A rope is una cuerda.
  • Once Actually means 'eleven'. For once (one time), say una vez.

More Swedish false friends

  • 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.
  • Rar Actually means 'sweet' or 'kind'. En rar person is a lovely person. (In Norwegian, rar me…
  • 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.

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