False Friends
False friends are pairs of words in two languages that look or sound similar but have different meanings. They can trick learners into making embarrassing or confusing mistakes.
False Friends
This section gives examples of common false friends between English and Mandarin Chinese to watch out for. Each pair shows the misleading word, its actual meaning, and the correct translation.
妈妈 and móma
| 汉字 | Pinyin | English |
|---|---|---|
| 妈妈 | māmā | mom |
| 摸妈 | mōmā | (not a standard word) |
妈妈 māmā means "mom," while 摸妈 mōmā is not a word. Don't confuse māmā 妈妈 with similar-sounding nonsense.
面 and miàn
| 汉字 | Pinyin | English |
|---|---|---|
| 面 | miàn | noodle / face / surface |
| 面子 | miànzi | face (social dignity) |
面 miàn can mean "noodle," "face," or "surface" depending on context. 面子 miànzi specifically refers to social "face" or dignity.
馒头 and mántou
| 汉字 | Pinyin | English |
|---|---|---|
| 馒头 | mántou | steamed bun |
| 懒头 | lǎntóu | lazy person (colloquial) |
馒头 mántou is a steamed bun. Don't confuse it with 懒头 lǎntóu ("lazy person"), which sounds somewhat similar.
粉 and fěn
| 汉字 | Pinyin | English |
|---|---|---|
| 粉 | fěn / fèn | powder / portion |
| 饭 | fàn | rice / meal |
粉 fěn is "powder" while 饭 fàn is "rice" or "meal." They sound similar but have different tones and meanings.
课 and kè
| 汉字 | Pinyin | English |
|---|---|---|
| 课 | kè | class / lesson |
| 可 | kě | can / may / cute (口语) |
课 kè means "lesson," while 可 kě is a common particle meaning "can" or used for emphasis. They sound similar but serve different functions.
Sign In
Add an email to access exercises.
Summary
False friends trick learners when similar sounds or characters have different meanings. Pay attention to tones and context, and double-check translations for familiar-looking words.
Last updated: Tue Sep 16, 2025