False Friends in Romanian
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We all know that learning a new language comes with obstacles along the way. As you go on the journey of learning Romanian, you may come across what is known as "false friends". In linguistics, a false friend is a word in a different language that looks or sounds similar to a word in a given language but differs significantly in meaning, which may cause you some trouble when engaged in a conversation.
With this blog post, I’d like to give you some examples of typical fake friends in Romanian and show you how to navigate them easily.
Examples of “false friends”
1. “Chef” vs. “Șef”
When you hear "chef,” you might think of a very skilled cook who will make you a tasty meal. But if you call someone that in Romanian, you are actually making them your boss, as “șef” translates into boss or manager.
2. “Eventual”' vs. “Eventual”
In English, "eventual" means something that will happen at some unspecified future time. In Romanian, however, "eventual" refers to the possibility of something happening, not the inevitability. So, when your Romanian friend says, "I'll call you eventual," don't wait by the phone expecting the call; it might or might not happen.
3. “Magazin” vs. “Magazine”
The word "magazine" in English typically refers to periodical publications. In Romanian, "magazin" simply means a shop. So, if you're going to a newsstand in Romania, asking for a "magazin", they might point to the nearest store instead.
4. “Sensibil” vs. “Sensitive”
In English, "sensitive" describes someone who is easily affected or offended. In Romanian, "sensibil" refers to someone who feels deeply. So, if your Romanian friend calls you "sensibil”, they are actually acknowledging your emotional intelligence.
I know learning a new language can be intimidating, but please keep in mind that it gets easier as you practice with your friends during the mobility! Additionally, you have the OLS forums to exercise, in a fun and simple way, the depths of Romanian! You can check out this discussion topic and share with us, in the comments, one “false friend” in your own language.
Talking about learning Romanian, don’t forget that the deadline for the OLS video contest is approaching quickly (4th of February)! You could take some inspiration from this blog post and choose one of the false friends to pronounce in a short video. Then, you can either post the video on your preferred social media using the hashtag #OLSCommunityStories or share it through a fire-sharing system. Check out the rules here!
Good luck and, as always, see you on the forums!
Roxana, OLS Community Manager - Romanian
Source: Pexels