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False friends - 12 words that are easy to get wrong in Danish and Norwegian

Are you familiar with these 'false friends'? If you've been to Denmark or Norway, or had Danish or Norwegian friends or colleagues visiting, you've probably come across words that are similar but don't mean the same thing. Many times we can understand each other in Scandinavia without any problems, but sometimes our similar languages confuse more than they help. Are you aware of these 12 so-called false friends?

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1. calm

If you are in Norway or Denmark and hear about a fun activity, don't expect anything too fancy. Fun means calm or peaceful, both in Norway and Denmark. What we in Sweden mean by fun is called "sjov" in Danish and "morsom" in Norwegian.

Genevesjön

2nd Semester

In Sweden we think holiday means leave, but both Danes and Norwegians mean the same thing as the English when they say holiday. So they are talking about a term. Holiday? It's called ferie.

3. by

If a Dane or Norwegian says he has visited a village, it is quite possible that he has been to London, Paris or Barcelona. By in Danish and Norwegian simply means city.

Barcelona

4. enterprise

When Danes and Norwegians talk about 'achievement', it is hardly because they want to talk about something great. No, they simply want to talk about a company.

5. lunch

Have you been invited to breakfast in Denmark? Don't rush off too early in the morning ... it's lunch! In Norwegian, however, it's lunch, which is more understandable for us Swedes.

Lunch på Gratia

6. Fast

No, we're not talking about someone who is particularly cheeky. Hurtig simply means fast, both in Danish and Norwegian.

7. the frog

Could it be that the Dane is now talking about his seeds? No, it is much more likely that he is talking about his frogs. And if the Norwegian enters the conversation, be prepared for him to call a frog a "frog".

8. Room

Are they perhaps talking about some creature in the room? No, they are simply talking about the room. Rooms are called værelse, both in Danish and in Norwegian.

Abraham hostel

9. Bulls

If you and a Dane are talking about a bull, chances are you are talking about completely different things. The Dane probably means a capercaillie.

10. Hose

When Danes see a 'snake' in the forest, it's not an old bicycle snake lying around. It is far more likely that we are talking about a viper or similar! Slange simply means snake.

slange

11. shortly/right away

If someone wants you to come right away, there's no hurry, is there? Just remember that Norwegians and Danes now expect you to come immediately!

12. string

Snor does not sound very nice, but in Danish it simply means string or rope.

snöre

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