Semester

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

Language: Swedish

Looks like: semester (school term)

Category: Everyday

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.

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.

Keep your friends close and your enemies closer — It's wise to monitor those who might harm you.
A picture is worth a thousand words — Visual information communicates more effectively than text.
Absence makes the heart grow fonder — Being apart makes you appreciate someone more.