German Cognates and False Friends302

Cognates are words in different languages that share a common etymological origin. They often have similar spellings and meanings, making them easy to recognize and understand across languages. German and English have many cognates due to their shared Germanic roots. For example, the German word "Haus" and the English word "house" both refer to a building where people live.

However, not all cognates are created equal. Some cognates, known as false friends, may look similar but have different meanings. This can lead to confusion and misunderstandings when translating between languages. For example, the German word "Gift" means "poison," while the English word "gift" means a present.

To avoid confusion, it is important to be aware of false friends and their true meanings. Here is a list of some common German cognates and their English equivalents, along with any potential false friends:
Haus: house
Kind: child
Mann: man
Frau: woman
Tag: day
Nacht: night
Hund: dog
Katze: cat
Buch: book
Tisch: table
Stuhl: chair
Fenster: window
Tür: door
Gift: poison
Bank: bench
Rathaus: town hall
Kirche: church
Schule: school
Universität: university
Bahnhof: train station

It is important to note that this list is not exhaustive. There are many other German cognates and false friends that exist. When encountering an unfamiliar word in a text, it is always best to consult a dictionary or other reliable source to determine its true meaning.

By being aware of the potential pitfalls of false friends, you can improve your comprehension and communication skills when using German and English.

2025-02-08

Previous：How Many Japanese Words Can You Learn in a Year?

Next：German Vocabulary for Machining