False friendEveryday
Dutch
Wet
Meaning: Actually means 'law'. For wet, say nat.
Looks like: Wet (damp)
Origin: From Proto-Germanic *witōþą, 'law', related to weten, 'to know' — no connection to English 'wet'.
More Dutch false friends
- Brutaal Actually means 'cheeky' or 'impudent'. For brutal, say wreed or bruut.
- Slagroom Actually means 'whipped cream'.
- Slim Actually means 'clever' or 'smart'. Hij is slim = He's clever.
- Stout Actually means 'naughty' or 'mischievous'. Een stoute jongen = a naughty boy.
- Beer Actually means 'bear'. The drink you order is een bier.
- Big Actually means 'piglet'. For big, say groot.
Explore another collection: Tongue Twisters
Tricky phrases to practice out loud, from languages around the world.
- Liesje leerde Lotje lopen langs de lange Lindelaan. Eight consecutive l-words, with the vowel behind the l changing every time.
- De kat krabt de krullen van de trap. A 'kr' cluster drill — Dutch consonant pileups that beginners approach with dread.
- Als vliegen achter vliegen vliegen, vliegen vliegen vliegen achterna. The same noun/verb homograph trap as the German version — vliegen does triple duty.
Keep exploring