What Kind of Friends are These?
Linguistically speaking, false friends are words that sound similar in two languages, but have a different meaning!
Let’s take a look at some words which are often confused in English and Polish:
| Polish word | False Friend (meaning) | Correct word in English | |
| Aktualny | Actual (fact; something that is true) | Current; contemporary | |
| Dres | Dress (a flowing piece of clothing worn by women) |
Tracksuit | |
| Ekspedient | Expedient (quick) | Sales assistant | |
| Ewentualny | Eventual (something that will happen in due course) |
Possible | |
| Genialny | Genial (cheerful and friendly) | Brilliant | |
| Hazard | Hazard (a dangerous thing) | Gambling | |
| Lunatyk | Lunatic (someone who is crazy) | Sleepwalker | |
| Ordynarny | Ordinary (someone/thing with no distinguishing features) | Vulgar; Rude | |
| Parapet | Parapet (a low protective wall) | Windowsill; Ledge | |
| Pupil | Pupil (student) | Teacher’s pet | |
| Sympatyczny | Sympathetic (someone who understands the problems faced by others) |
Nice | |
| Szef | Chef (someone who heads a restaurant kitchen) | Boss |