False friends are words that exist in two languages, they may sound similar but have very different meanings.
Here are some examples:
When speaking about your Konkurrenz you shouldn’t try the English pronunciation concurrence as it could mean “Gleichzeitigkeit” or “Mitwirkung”. Also be aware of the fact that you can’t use the word Beamer (as you might use it in German) because it has a completely different meaning in English, a beemer is the colloquial name for a BMW motorcycle. In fact, you should say “I need a data projector”.
Another false friend is the word Handy. The English translation would be – useful, but most people (German speakers) want to express the word cell phone. You should also be cautious with the word concern, which means to worry. The German word Konzern is a group in English.
Last but not least, one of the funniest false friends is Unternehmer – Undertaker. An Unternehmer is an employer or an entrepreneur but the false friend – undertaker is a “Bestatter”!
{jcomments off}