False friendFeelingsDutch

Stout

Meaning: Actually means 'naughty' or 'mischievous'. Een stoute jongen = a naughty boy.

Looks like: Stout (stocky)

Origin: From Middle Dutch stout, 'bold/daring' — in Dutch it drifted toward misbehaviour.

More false friends — Feelings

  • Rolig Actually means 'calm' or 'quiet'. (Confusingly, in Swedish rolig means 'funny' — a false…
  • Déception Actually means 'disappointment'. For deception (a trick), say tromperie.
  • Disgusto Actually means 'displeasure', 'upset', or 'trouble'. For disgust (revulsion), say asco.
  • Brutaal Actually means 'cheeky' or 'impudent'. For brutal, say wreed or bruut.
  • Esquisito Actually means 'strange', 'weird' or 'odd'. For exquisite, say requintado.
  • Educado Actually means 'polite' or 'well-mannered'. For educated (schooled), say instruído.

More Dutch false friends

  • Beer Actually means 'bear'. The drink you order is een bier.
  • Big Actually means 'piglet'. For big, say groot.
  • Kind Actually means 'child'. For kind (nice), say aardig or vriendelijk.
  • Wet Actually means 'law'. For wet, say nat.
  • Elf Actually means 'eleven'. Elf uur = eleven o'clock.
  • Slagroom Actually means 'whipped cream'.

Explore another collection: Compliments & Insults

Compliments and insults from around the world, from the sweet to the savage.

  • Pareces un pulpo en un garaje You're completely out of place — flailing around uselessly in an environment that makes n…
  • Che rompiscatole What an insufferable pest — someone who endlessly pesters and never lets you be.
  • Testa quadrata A rigid, inflexible blockhead who refuses to see beyond their fixed ideas.

Browse all compliments & insults →

Keep exploring

Explore all false friends →