If a word in one language resembles a word in a another language, in spelling or pronunciation, but the words have different meanings, they are called false friends.
This page offers some examples of such words in Norwegian and English, but does not provide translations. Please use a dictionary to find meanings or translations, suggestions are in the Sources section below.
Please note that some words in this table, such as bein og bone, may be correct translations of each other in some cases.
Norwegian | English |
---|---|
advokat | advocate (verb), advocate (noun) |
akkurat | accurate |
aktuell | actual |
anger | anger |
annonsere | announce |
arrangement | arrangement |
assuranse | assurance |
avhengig | dependant, dependent |
bakside | backside |
barn | barn |
basun | bassoon |
bein | bone |
billett | billet |
blank | blank |
blankett | blanket |
blek | bleak |
dam | dam |
delikat | delicate |
dobbeltseng | twin bed |
eventuell, eventuelt | eventual, eventually |
fabrikk | fabric |
fagott | faggot |
feber | fever |
fest | feast |
genial | genial |
gjespe | gasp |
grasiøs | gracious |
haike | hike |
ha lyst til | lust |
historie | history |
historisk | historical, historic |
hjemmearbeid | housework |
håndarbeid | handicraft |
isolere | isolate |
koke | cook |
konjunktur | conjuncture |
konkurrent | concurrent |
konkurrere | concur |
konsekvent, inkonsekvent | consequent, inconsequent |
kontroll (sjekke) | control |
kontrollere | control |
korn | corn |
kritikk | critic, critique |
krype | creep |
lykkelig | lucky |
lystig | lusty |
mene | mean |
mobbe | mob |
moral | moral |
mugge | mug |
natur | nature |
novelle | novel |
oversikt | oversight |
overta | overtake |
pakke opp | pack up |
permisjon | permission |
plump | plump |
presis | précis |
prest | priest |
provisjon | provision |
publikum | the public |
rekvirere | require |
rente | rent |
resept | receipt |
simpel | simple |
sjef | chief |
spare | spare |
spirituell | spiritual |
stek | steak |
sympatisk | sympathetic, sympathetically |
ta en tur | take a hike |
varehus | warehouse |
villa | villa |
Sources
- Vibecke Haslerud (red.): Lingua – Engelsk-norsk / norsk-engelsk ordbok. Kunnskapsforlaget (3. utgave 2002)
- Stewart Clark: Getting Your English Right (Third Edition, 2005), page 80
In other languages
- Falske venner på norsk og engelsk (Norwegian)