English and German: Words that Look and Sound the Same17

English and German are both Germanic languages, so it is no surprise that they share many similarities. One of the most striking similarities is the number of words that look and sound the same in both languages. These words are known as cognates, and they can be a great help to learners of either language.

Here are a few examples of cognates between English and German:
English: Finger
German: Finger


English: Arm
German: Arm


English: House
German: Haus

As you can see, these words are spelled almost identically in both languages, and they have the same meaning. This makes them easy to remember for learners of either language.

Of course, there are also some false cognates between English and German. These are words that look and sound similar in both languages, but they have different meanings. Here are a few examples:
English: Gift
German: Gift (poison)


English: Bank
German: Bank (bench)


English: Pupil
German: Pupille (pupil of the eye)

It is important to be aware of these false cognates so that you do not make any embarrassing mistakes when speaking either language.

Despite the occasional false cognate, the large number of cognates between English and German makes it relatively easy for learners of either language to build their vocabulary. By learning the cognates, you can quickly increase your vocabulary in both languages.

Here are a few tips for learning cognates:
Look for similarities in spelling and pronunciation. The more similar two words are in spelling and pronunciation, the more likely they are to be cognates.
Pay attention to context. If you are not sure whether two words are cognates, look at the context in which they are used. This will help you determine if they have the same meaning.
Use a dictionary. If you are still not sure whether two words are cognates, check a dictionary. A good dictionary will tell you whether two words are cognates.

By following these tips, you can quickly and easily learn the cognates between English and German. This will help you build your vocabulary in both languages and make it easier for you to communicate with native speakers.

2025-01-28

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