What are the most challenging false friends in Ukrainian for English speakers
False friends are words that look or sound similar in two different languages but have different meanings, often leading to misunderstandings. For English speakers learning Ukrainian, several false friends can be particularly challenging:
Common False Friends in Ukrainian for English Speakers
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Магазин (mah-ah-ZEEN): In Ukrainian, this means “store” or “shop,” whereas in English, it might be mistaken for “magazine.” The correct Ukrainian word for “magazine” is журнал 1, 3.
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Акуратний (ah-koo-RAT-nee): This word means “neat” or “tidy” in Ukrainian. English speakers might confuse it with “accurate,” which translates to точний or правильний in Ukrainian 1, 3.
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Актуальний (ahk-too-AL-nee): In Ukrainian, it means “relevant” or “current,” not “actual.” The English word “actual” translates to справжній 1.
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Інсульт (een-SOOLT): This refers to a “stroke” in medical terms, while the English word “insult” translates to образа 1, 3.
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Інтелігентний (een-teh-lee-HENT-nee): In Ukrainian, this describes someone who is cultured or well-mannered. It should not be confused with “intelligent,” which is розумний 1, 3.
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Екзамен (ehk-ZAH-men): This is the Ukrainian word for “exam” or “test,” not related to the verb “examine,” which would be досліджувати or обстежувати 1, 3.
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Батон (bah-TON): In Ukrainian, this refers to a type of white bread, unlike the English “baton,” which means a stick or rod 1.
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Кабінет (kah-bee-NET): This means “office” or “study” in Ukrainian, not a piece of furniture like the English “cabinet,” which is шафа 1.
These false friends can be particularly tricky because they appear familiar to English speakers but have entirely different meanings in Ukrainian. Understanding these differences is crucial for effective communication and avoiding misunderstandings when learning the language.