False friends are pairs of words in two languages that look or sound similar but differ significantly in meaning. They can lead learners into amusing or embarrassing mistakes if relied on uncritically. This guide highlights some common false friends between Mandarin and English to watch out for.
Vocabulary
Below are key Mandarin words that learners sometimes confuse with English-looking counterparts because of similar sound or appearance.
shīfu 师傅 / shīfu 师父
| Hanzi | Pinyin | English | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🛠️ 师傅，修理汽车很厉害。 | Shīfu, xiūlǐ qìchē hěn lìhài. | Master mechanic, very skilled at repairing cars. | |
| 🧙♂️ 师父教我练武功。 | Shīfu jiāo wǒ liàn wǔgōng. | (Martial) master teaches me martial arts. |
qìchē 汽车 / qìchē 机关枪
Last updated: Fri Oct 24, 2025