False Friends
False friends are pairs of words in two languages that look or sound similar but differ significantly in meaning. They can easily mislead learners and cause embarrassing mistakes. This guide highlights common false friends between German and English so you can spot them quickly and use each word correctly.
aktuell / actual
aktuell means "current" or "up-to-date," not "actual." Use aktuell for recent events or timely information. For "actual" in the sense of real or true, use tatsächlich or wirklich.
bald / bald
In German, bald means "soon," not "bald" (hairless). Use bald to talk about something that will happen in the near future. For the English adjective "bald," German uses kahl or glatzköpfig.
billion / Billion
Billion in German is a trillion (1,000,000,000,000), not a billion (1,000,000,000). The English "billion" corresponds to German Milliarde. Mixing these up can cause huge numerical errors. Remember: German Milliarde = English billion, German Billion = English trillion.
Chef / chief
Chef in German means "boss" or "manager," not a cook. Use Chef for someone who leads a team or company. For "chef" as a professional cook, German uses Koch (male) or Köchin (female).
Rat / rat
Rat in German means "advice" or a "council," not the animal "rat." The animal is Ratte. Use Rat when referring to guidance or an advisory group to avoid confusion.
Gift / gift
Gift in German means "poison," not a present. A "gift" is Geschenk. This false friend can lead to alarming misunderstandings, so use Gift only for toxic substances.
Fabrik / fabric
Fabrik means "factory," not textile "fabric." For material, German uses Stoff. Use Fabrik when talking about manufacturing sites.
bald / bald
In German, bald means "soon," not "bald" (hairless). Use bald to talk about something that will happen in the near future. For the English adjective "bald," German uses kahl or glatzköpfig.
Summary
False friends trick learners because similar forms hide different meanings. Pay attention to these common pairs and practice using each German word in context. When in doubt, consult a dictionary or ask a native speaker to avoid costly mistakes.
Last updated: Sun Sep 14, 2025