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What are some common false friends in Russian and English visualisation

What are some common false friends in Russian and English

False friends when learning Russian: What are some common false friends in Russian and English
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False friends are words in two different languages that look or sound similar but have different meanings. Here are some common false friends between Russian and English:

  1. Магазин (Magazin)

    • In Russian, “магазин” means “store” or “shop,” while in English, “magazine” refers to a publication 1, 2.

  2. Шеф (Shef)

    • In Russian, “шеф” means “boss” or “chief,” not a chef who cooks food in a kitchen 2.

  3. Костюм (Kostyum)

    • In Russian, “костюм” typically means a suit (formal attire), though it can also refer to costumes in specific contexts. In English, “costume” often refers to outfits for performances, Halloween, or themed events 2.

  4. Дата (Data)

    • In Russian, “дата” means “date” (as in a calendar date), not “data,” which refers to information 2.

  5. Облигация (Obligatsiya)

    • In Russian, this word means “bond” (a financial instrument), while in English, it might be confused with “obligation,” which refers to a duty or responsibility 2.

  6. Артист (Artist)

    • In Russian, “артист” usually refers to an actor or performer, not necessarily an artist who creates visual art 4.

  7. Фамилия (Familiya)

    • In Russian, this word means “last name” or “surname,” whereas in English, it might be mistaken for “family” 4.

  8. Аккуратный (Akkuratnyy)

    • This Russian word means “neat” or “tidy,” not “accurate,” as it might appear 4.

  9. Актуальный (Aktual’nyy)

    • In Russian, this word means “relevant” or “topical,” not “actual,” which refers to something real or factual in English 4.

  10. Проспект (Prospekt)

    • In Russian, this word typically refers to a large avenue or boulevard, not a prospect in the sense of a potential opportunity or likelihood 4.

Understanding these false friends is crucial for avoiding misunderstandings when learning Russian or communicating across these languages!

References

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