False friendFeelingsFrench

Sympathique

Meaning: Actually means 'nice' or 'pleasant'. Il est très sympathique = He's very nice — not 'He's very sympathetic'.

Looks like: Sympathetic

Origin: From Greek sympatheia — French took the 'pleasant' reading, English took the 'sharing in suffering' one.

More false friends — Feelings

  • Annoiare Actually means 'to bore'. Mi annoi = You're boring me — gentler than 'you're annoying me'.
  • Morbido Actually means 'soft', 'gentle', or 'smooth'. Una voce morbida = a gentle, smooth voice.
  • Bra Actually means 'good'. Det är bra = That's good.
  • Slim Actually means 'clever' or 'smart'. Hij is slim = He's clever.
  • Stout Actually means 'naughty' or 'mischievous'. Een stoute jongen = a naughty boy.
  • Rolig Actually means 'calm' or 'quiet'. (Confusingly, in Swedish rolig means 'funny' — a false…

More French false friends

  • Rester Actually means 'to stay' or 'to remain'. Je reste ici = I'm staying here — not taking a n…
  • Attendre Actually means 'to wait for'. J'attends le bus = I'm waiting for the bus. For attend an e…
  • Actuel Actually means 'current' or 'present-day'. Actuellement = currently — not 'actually'.
  • Blesser Actually means 'to wound' or 'to injure'. Je suis blessé = I am injured — not blessed.
  • Location Actually means 'rental'. Une location de voiture = a car rental. For location (place), sa…
  • Assister Actually means 'to attend' an event. J'assiste à la réunion = I attend the meeting. For a…

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

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