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What are some common false friends between English and Romanian

False friends when learning English: What are some common false friends between English and Romanian
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False friends are words in two languages that look or sound similar but have different meanings, often leading to misunderstandings. Between English and Romanian, false friends are a common challenge for learners and translators due to the influence of shared Latin roots and loanwords from other languages. Below are some notable examples:

Common False Friends Between English and Romanian

  1. Actual (English) vs. Actual (Romanian)

    • English: Refers to something real or existing in fact.
    • Romanian: Means “current” or “present,” not “real.”

  2. Argument (English) vs. Argument (Romanian)

    • English: A disagreement or debate.
    • Romanian: Refers to a reason or point made in support of an idea.

  3. Fabric (English) vs. Fabrică (Romanian)

    • English: Refers to material or cloth.
    • Romanian: Means “factory,” not material.

  4. Library (English) vs. Librărie (Romanian)

    • English: A place where books are borrowed or read.
    • Romanian: Refers to a bookstore, not a library.

  5. Sympathetic (English) vs. Simpatic (Romanian)

    • English: Showing compassion or understanding.
    • Romanian: Means “nice” or “pleasant,” not necessarily compassionate.

  6. Chef (English) vs. Chef (Romanian)

    • English: A professional cook.
    • Romanian: Means “mood” or “desire,” often used in expressions like “chef de viață” (zest for life).

  7. Eventual (English) vs. Eventual (Romanian)

    • English: Refers to something that may happen in the future.
    • Romanian: Means “possible” or “conditional,” not necessarily future-oriented.

  8. Control (English) vs. Control (Romanian)

    • English: To manage or regulate something.
    • Romanian: Often used to mean “inspection” or “check.”

  9. Pretend (English) vs. Pretinde (Romanian)

    • English: To act as if something is true when it is not.
    • Romanian: Means “to claim” or “demand,” not to feign.

  10. Assist (English) vs. Asista (Romanian)

    • English: To help or aid someone.
    • Romanian: Means “to watch” or “be present,” such as at an event.

Why False Friends Occur

False friends typically arise due to:

  • Shared etymological roots: English and Romanian both borrow heavily from Latin, but meanings have diverged over time.
  • Loanwords: Words borrowed from other languages, like French, may retain different meanings in each borrowing language.
  • Semantic shifts: Over time, words evolve differently in each language, creating discrepancies in meaning.

Understanding these false friends is crucial for avoiding miscommunication in translation, learning, and everyday use of English and Romanian.

References

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