Like Appelsin and Oranges

What happens when words deceive? They may look or sound alike, but they’re not your friend…

It sounds malicious; a false friend is surely one who’ll do you no favors. But in the world of linguistics, a “false friend” is really more of a coincidence, a word that looks or sounds the same as one in another language, but has a separate root and meaning. Of course, that can actually lead to a bit of fun—especially when the meanings are so very different!

Beware of these, some of our favorite “false friends” from Danish and English:

For an English-speaker new to Denmark, it’s hard not to be astonished by the word slut, announced in every store window as sales come to an end.

A lot of religious folks might tell you that god is good. But in Denmark, they really mean it!

It’s no wonder if English native children giggle when they learn their Danish numbers. The Danish word for six may look harmless enough, but it sounds like a bit of a dirty word to the kiddies!

In Denmark, a chef is your boss. That only makes sense in English, though, if you work in a kitchen!

Appelsin makes for the classic language blunder in the supermarket, whether you’re an English speaker in Denmark, or a Dane abroad. It’s far too easy to come home with orange juice when you’re looking for apple!

In English, a gift is a gift, but Danes seem to be of two minds about the word. Gift can either be marriage or poison.

Here’s a ménage à trois of deceptive “friends”:  in Danish, art may be kind, but kind in Danish means cheek!

For native English speakers, fart is a hard word to hear with a straight face… especially if it comes from a Danish police officer who means to question your speed.

The word for sad in Danish is anything but to an English speaker. Unless, of course, their trist (or short love affair) ends badly!

Killing in English means something far more sinister than its equivalent in Danish: kitten

English speakers may think that faster is a strange thing to call your aunt. However, I bet she’d prefer it to the alternative: moster.  (Awfully like “monster” in English!)

Maven and bug, two totally different words in English, will get you the same thing in Danish: a belly.

Here’s one that’ll baffle an English speaker at a Danish peace rally. “Why on earth,” they might think, “are all of these people chanting for some fellow named Fred?”