Skip to content
What are some common false friends in Ukrainian and English visualisation

What are some common false friends in Ukrainian and English

False friends when learning Ukrainian: What are some common false friends in Ukrainian and English
Learn with Comprenders App About Comprenders

Here are some common false friends between Ukrainian and English—words that look or sound similar but have different meanings:

  • “Акт” (Ukrainian) means an official document or deed, while “act” in English usually means a deed or action.
  • “Магазин” (Ukrainian) means a store or shop, but “magazine” in English refers to a periodical publication.
  • “Фамілія” (Ukrainian) means surname, whereas “family” in English means the group of related people.
  • “Сімптом” (Ukrainian) means symptom (matching English) but confusion arises with similar-sounding words in English that have different meanings.
  • “Презент” (Ukrainian) means a gift, whereas “present” in English can mean both gift and also to show or introduce something.
  • “Аварія” (Ukrainian) means accident, especially a car accident, while “aviary” in English means a place where birds are kept.
  • “Дискусія” (Ukrainian) means discussion or debate, not to be confused with “disease” in English.

These false friends often cause translation errors and misunderstandings, especially in academic or professional contexts. Awareness of such differences is crucial for accurate communication and translation between Ukrainian and English speakers.

References

Open the App About Comprenders