False friends when learning Ukrainian
What are the false friends (false cognates) between languages, with examples
When learning Ukrainian, it’s important to be aware of false friends—words that look or sound similar to words in English but have different meanings. These can lead to misunderstandings if not properly understood. Here are some common false friends between Ukrainian and English:
- Магазин: In Ukrainian, магазин means “store” or “shop,” not “magazine.” The correct word for “magazine” in Ukrainian is журнал 1, 2.
- Акуратний: This word means “neat” or “tidy” in Ukrainian, not “accurate.” For “accurate,” use точний 2.
- Актуальний: In Ukrainian, актуальний refers to something that is “relevant” or “current,” rather than the English word “actually,” which translates to насправді 2.
- Роман: This means “novel” in Ukrainian, as opposed to the English word “Roman,” which would be римський (adjective) or римлянин (noun) 2.
- Інсульт: This translates to “stroke” in a medical context, not an “insult.” The word for “insult” in Ukrainian is образа 3.
- Екзамен: While it sounds like the English verb “examine,” it actually means “exam” or “test.” To say “examine,” use досліджувати, обстежувати, or вивчати 2.
- Батон: In Ukrainian, this refers to a type of white bread, not a baton or stick. The word for a baton is жезл or паличка 1, 2.
- Кабінет: This means an “office” or “study” in Ukrainian, not a cabinet. The correct term for a cabinet is шафа 2.
Understanding these false friends can help avoid confusion and improve communication when learning Ukrainian.