False Friends in German: M-Q
Falsche Freunde / False Cognates
An annotated German-English Glossary of
Common False Cognates and Misleading Expressions
Also see > True Cognates and Confusing Words & Expressions
A-F | G-L | M-Q | R-Z
True English-German Cognates
Noun genders indicated by: r (der, masc.), e (die, fem.), s (das, neu.)
M
e Marmelade jam | marmalade = e Orangenmarmelade
e Maschine airplane | machine = r Automat (vending machine), s Faxgerät (fax machine), e Maschine (machine, engine), e Schreibmaschine (typewriter)
die nächste Maschine nach Berlin = the next plane/flight to Berlin
s Menü daily special (restaurant) | menu = e Speisekarte; s Menü (computers)
r Minister (government) minister, secretary (US) | minister = r Pfarrer (pastor, reverend)
der Verteidigungsminister Defence Minister/Secretary of Defense
r Mist manure, dung;
So ein Mist! Damn! | mist = r Dunst, leichter Regen
s Mobbing harassment, bullying (at work, school)
mobben to harass, bully (at work) | to mob = herfallen über, belagern (fans)
mondän fashionable, smart | mundane = banal, weltlich
r Mörder murderer | murder = r Mord
False-Friend Flashcards
Vocabulary practice!
Confusing Words and Expressions
in German
N
Nimm's leicht! Never mind! Don't panic! | Take it easy! = Immer mit der Ruhe!
e Noten (pl.) grades, marks (school) | notes = e Notizen (pl.)
Note: die Note can also refer to musical notes or music, banknotes, as well as tone, character, or (personal) trademark.
e Notiz(en) written note(s), brief report | (public) notice = r Anhang, e Bekanntmachung, e Anzeige (newspaper)
e Nutte hooker, prostitute | nut = e Nuss
Also see > German Words to Avoid
O
s Objekt house, piece of property (for sale) | object, goal = s Ziel
s Objektiv camera lens | objective = s Ziel
r Oldtimer antique, classic/vintage car | oldtimer (person) = alter Hase, r Veteran
ordinär vulgar, low, common | ordinary = üblich, normal
P
r Paragraf section (of a law) | paragraph = r Absatz, r Abschnitt (in a text)
Note: Paragraf 218 refers to a section of German legal code that refers to abortion. The term has become a catch phrase in the abortion debate. The symbol § refers to Paragraf (section) in the legal sense.
e Parole motto, slogan, password | parole = e Bewährung
s Pendant counterpart; companion piece | pendant (jewelry) = r Anhänger
e Pension guest inn, small hotel | pension (retirement) = e Rente
Note: The German word Pension can also mean "retirement" or "pension payment." Also see Rente below.
e Peperoni pl. hot chili peppers; pepper (Switz.) | pepperoni (pizza) = e Salami(-Pizza)
Note: The German word Peperoni has nothing to do with spicy sausage. If you want to order a pepperoni pizza in German, ask for eine Salami-Pizza (pron. PITS-uh).
s Perspektiv telescope; prospect(s) | perspective = e Perspektive
Note: The German word Perspektive can also mean "prospect(s)" or "angle/view." (Die Arbeitslosen in dieser Stadt haben fast keine Perspektiven. = The unemployed in this city have almost no prospects.)
e Phantasie/Fantasie imagination | fantasy = r Tagtraum
r Pickel pimple, zit; pick axe | pickle = e Essiggurke
picken to stick, be sticky; peck | pick = (aus)wählen/aufstellen (choose), entfernen (remove), pflücken (flowers)
s Präservativ condom | (food) preservative = s Konservierungmittel
Also see > German Words to Avoid
r Preis price or prize
e Provision commission, fee | provision = e Vorsorge
See our Housing and Real Estate glossary for more words like Provision!
r Prozeß trial, law suit | process = s Verfahren, r Vorgang
s Publikum audience; customers | public = e Öffentlichkeit, öffentlich
r Puff brothel, cat house | puff = r Hauch, r Windstoß, r Zug (cigarette)
Also see > German Words to Avoid
Q
r Qualm smoke | qualm = s Bedenken, r Skrupel
r Quark type of cheese, trifle | quark (physics) = s Quark
e Quote proportion, number; rating | quote = s Zitat
A-F | G-L | M-Q | R-Z
True English-German Cognates
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