English Words That Have Different Meanings In Other Languages
by Jayasree D
Updated Mar 26, 2024
English Words That Have Different Meanings In Other Languages
The words in English which have different meanings in other languages are discussed below. Here are some 25 words English words that have different meanings in another language.
1. Brat
Brat is derived from the Latin word for Brother. The meaning of Brat in Russian word is Sibbling with little bars across the globe and brat is a word for borther. In English, the meaning of Brat is related to a child beggar wearing torn Cloaks.
2. Gift
In Scandinavia, the word Gift has 2 different meanings one is getting married, because it is derived from old English words for wedding gifts or dowries.The other one is a little less celebratory.
In German, Norwegian, and Swedish the word gift means poison.
3. Mist
The word mist means the words signal all things gentle and ephemeral.
In Germany, Mist is used for the words manure, general garbage, and dung. You can also curse with the words Mist.
4. Kiss
In English the word Kiss means to kiss or touch with lips. This word comes from old English variants of Kyss or Kussen.
In Sweden: the word Kiss doesn’t mean kissing. They usually spell it with a ‘y’. But if it is spelled with ‘i’ the entire meaning will change, if it is spelled as ‘i’ then it means Urine. This meaning does not have any link with kissing.
5. Barf
In Hindi, Urdu, and Farsi: the words Barf means ice, snow, and snowfall. They use the word barf for snow.
In English, the word Barf means to be sick or vomit up. Barf means to vomit.
6. Crap
In Romania, the word Crap means a type of fish. In English, the words crap has a different meaning which is something of extremely poor qu
7. Salsa
In America Phonetics the word salsa means something different from deliciousness called Diarrhea. The word Salsa is related to the Korean word.
In Japan the word salsa is used for Diarrhea sounds like Gary, sorry to all the Garys out there for bringing that to your attention.
8. Fart:
In Norwegian, Danish, and Swedish, the word Fart is used for speed or Moving objects.
In Denmark, the word means the elevator is in use. In Germany, the fahrt means a journey or drive.
9. Smoking:
In English, Spoking is related to something you do by lighting up a cigarette. In France, smoking means something you wear. It means dressing up in style. It is directly called as Tuxedo.
10. Preservative:
The word preservative is usually used in food, that helps to prevent mold and deterioration. But in France, the word Preservative means condom.
11. LOL
In Dutch the word LOL is used for Lork or fun, Prank, and all kinds of Amusement. generally the word LOL means Loud out Loud.
12. Bra
In French the word Bra means Brassiere which is a fancy word for a woman’s undergarment. The word bra in English has been used since the 1930’s.
In Swedes, the word bra means good. Bras are good. There is no connection between the word Swedes and the French word.
13. Air
In Indonesia, the word air is meant by Water. If the people of Indonesia get thirsty they” 'll ask for a glass of air.
14. Retard
In French The word Retard means Delay. Generally, it means to make something slower.
15. Sean Bean
In Irish the word sean bean means “old woman”. In English, the word Sean Bean means an actor.
16. Vader
In Dutch the word Vader means Father.
17. Dump
The word Dump means Bump in Swedish. If a person is paying attention then he is noticed as “Speed Bump”. In Swedish is said as “Fart Dump”
18. Pepperoni
In Italian, the word Pepperoni means chili pepper. In a general way, the word Pepperoni is a spicy pork or beef sausage which is used especially on pizza.
19. Handy
The word handy means convenient to handle or to use. But in German, the word Handy is meant by Cellphone.
20. Hammer
The word hammer is known as a tool with a heavy metal mounted at right angles at the end of the handle.
In German, the word Hammer means “Awesome”.
21. Ohio
The word Ohio means good river, it is derived from the word Ohio River.
In Japanese Ohio mean by Good Morning.
22. No
In languages like Polish, Czech, and some other Slavic Languages the word NO Actually means “Yes”.
23. Die
In Italian, the word Die translates to From, and Colloquially the same word Die means “ Come On"
