Ten false friends in the Danish language
The Local Denmark - [email protected]
Published: 6 Sep, 2014 CET.
Updated: Sat 6 Sep 2014 08:58 CET
When learning the Danish language, it’s important to remember that looks can be deceiving. The Local guides you through ten Danish words that look like common English words but mean something altogether different.
A newly-arrived English speaker in Denmark may feel relief when encountering familiar words in the midst of a sea of strange-looking text (seriously, just look at a word like myndighedsgodkendelse or ødelæggelse and and you'll begin to relate). But be warned, often the words you recognise from English mean something altogether different in Danish. It’s a language phenomenon known as ‘false friends’ and it can lead to some awkward situations. Words that look naughty really aren’t, while words that look nice can be downright deadly. Taking Danish words at face value could lead one to believe that Denmark is a nation full of angry and religious criminals. If you’ve already worked out which false friends we’re referring to, then congratulations you are well on your way to mastering Danish. Put another way, maybe you've just been here too long. For the rest of you, click here for the ten best false friends in the Danish language.
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A newly-arrived English speaker in Denmark may feel relief when encountering familiar words in the midst of a sea of strange-looking text (seriously, just look at a word like myndighedsgodkendelse or ødelæggelse and and you'll begin to relate). But be warned, often the words you recognise from English mean something altogether different in Danish. It’s a language phenomenon known as ‘false friends’ and it can lead to some awkward situations.
Words that look naughty really aren’t, while words that look nice can be downright deadly.
Taking Danish words at face value could lead one to believe that Denmark is a nation full of angry and religious criminals. If you’ve already worked out which false friends we’re referring to, then congratulations you are well on your way to mastering Danish. Put another way, maybe you've just been here too long.
For the rest of you, click here for the ten best false friends in the Danish language.
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