False Friends

Aktuell means "current" or "up-to-date," not "actual." Use it for news or recent information. For "actual" in the sense of "real" or "true," choose tatsächlich or wirklich.

Bald means "soon," not "bald." Use it to talk about something that will happen in the near future. For "bald" as in lacking hair, use kahl or glatzköpfig.

Sensibel describes someone who is easily affected or emotionally delicate, not someone who is practical or shrewd. For "sensible" in the English sense of reasonable, use vernünftig or sachlich.

Bekommen means "to receive," not "to become." Use it when someone gets something from someone else. For "to become" in the sense of changing state, use werden.

Aktuell means "current" or "up-to-date," not "actual." Use it for news or recent information. For "actual" in the sense of "real" or "true," choose tatsächlich or wirklich.

Gift in German means "poison," not a present. For a present or gift, use Geschenk. This is a classic false friend that can lead to amusing misunderstandings.

Map in English is Karte in German, but Karte can also mean menu, ticket, or card depending on context. For a playing card specify Spielkarte and for a menu Speisekarte. Always double-check the type of Karte you need.

Eventually in English translates to schließlich or letztendlich in German, meaning "in the end." Do not use eventuell, which means "possibly" or "maybe." This distinction is important for timing and certainty.

False friends trip learners when similar-looking words differ in meaning across English and German. Double-check key terms like aktuell, bald, sensibel, bekommen, Gift, Karte, and eventuell to avoid slips.