Recognising 'faux amis' (A-N) in German
False friends?
Introduction
False Friends, Falsche Freunde or Faux amis (they are commonly known by the French phrase)are words that look or sound alike in two languages. However, they are not what they seem.
For example, also in German looks like *also* in English - but this is a false impression. In reality, also translates as *so / therefore*. Obviously, there are many more Cognates
(words that are similar or identical in both languages and mean the same) than False Friends in German and English, and you would often practice these at the beginning of a reading course when learning to guess vocabulary using your existing knowledge. However, it is important to be aware of traps:
learn to recognise False Friends and you won't be led astray.
Learning Objectives
In these activities, you will be made aware of the most frequently occurring German False Friends (A-N), and practise translating them correctly into English.
Activity 1: An example of a false friend
Before learning a list of False Friends, see one in context.
vergessen = to forget
das Kino = cinema
der Rhein = (river) Rhine
spazieren gehen = to go for a walk
Translate the following sentence into English:
Wir hatten unser Geld vergessen und konnten nicht ins Kino gehen.
Also gingen wir am Rhein entlang spazieren.
Activity 2: Learn the correct translation for a list of False Friends
The following exercises are based on a set of virtual cards from a language learning website called 'Before you know it.'
You will find the False Friend on one side and its correct translation on the reverse.
Instruction
Learn the correct translation of a list of Falsche Freunde (False Friends).
Open the link below to get to the Before You Know It website http://www.byki.com
This will give you access to "Christine's False Friends (A-N)" and give you the opportunity to download the BYKI software.
Falsche Freunde
Follow the instructions in the Before You Know It (BYKI) exercise.
Choose "Flashcards" and complete these Learning Modes:
Review it
Recognise it
Know it
Now, choose the correct meaning of the word in capitals from the list.
1. Ich denke, ALSO bin ich.
I think ..... I am.
2. In Mainz ist ein mehr als tausend Jahre alter DOM.
In Mainz there is a ..... that is more than a thousand years old.
3. Sie BEKOMMT ein Baby.
She ...... a baby.
4. Sie trug ein Kleid mit einem DEZENTEN Muster.
She wore a dress with a/an ..... pattern.
5. Die Mutter holte das GIFT aus dem Schrank.
The mother took the ..... out of the cupboard.
6. Der Christ hatte Angst.
..... was afraid.
7. Die Germanen BESIEGTEN die Römer im Teutoburger Wald.
The Germans ..... the Romans in the Teutoburg Forest.
8. Die LEKTüRE war wirklich sehr interessant.
The ..... was really very interesting.
9. Er hatte FAST das Ziel erreicht, als er zusammenbrach.
He had ..... reached his goal when he collapsed.
You may also want to do the "Activities" section of the BYKI programme.
The Pronunciation and Dictation activities are especially useful.
Activity 3: Use 'faux amis' in context
Instruction
Enter the appropriate False Friend into the sentences below.
Bitte füllen Sie das in Grossbuchstaben aus.
Vorsicht! Auf der Flasche steht . Das dürfen Sie auf keinen Fall trinken.
Der Apotheker kann Sie bei Kopfschmerzen gut .
Sie finden das e Sonderangebot auf unserer Webseite.
Als sollte man die zehn Gebote einhalten.
Ein es Kind ist ein gutes Kind und widerspricht nicht.
Der Kölner war von 1880 bis 1884 das höchste Gebäude der Welt.
Ein er Mensch hat viel gelesen und erlebt.
Die Archäologen wollten den so schnell wie möglich ins Museum bringen.
Sie lieβt gern und wollte so viel mit in den Urlaub nehmen, dass der Koffer viel zu schwer wurde.
Activity 4: Further Practice
By now you should be familiar with 20 of the most frequently-used German False Friends (A-N).
Instruction
Look out for more False Friends in your reading material or check them out at the following web-site:
German False Friends Glossary (ABOUT Website http://german.about.com/)
You may wish to copy the most interesting ones here:
Would you like to review the main points?
© Christine Eckhard-Black / Language Centre / University of Oxford 2008