Estimated reading time: 3 minutes
False friends are words that look or sound the same in two languages but mean something different. Dutch and German share a surprising number of them, and precisely because the languages are so similar, people fall for them more easily. In this article: five false friends that cause confusion in business conversations, and what to say instead.
Do you regularly work with both Dutch and German colleagues or business partners? Then this may sound familiar. The collaboration usually runs smoothly, but sometimes it suddenly goes awkwardly quiet on the other end of the line or during a meeting. Did someone say something wrong? It could well be that an innocent Dutch word caused complete confusion in German.
What are false friends?
False friends (in German: falsche Freunde, in Dutch: valse vrienden) are words that strongly resemble each other in two languages but carry a different meaning. Although Dutch and German look very much alike at first glance, these subtle differences can lead to surprising or even awkward situations. Below are five examples to be aware of.
5 false friends between Dutch and German
1. Bellen
For Dutch speakers, bellen simply means to phone someone. In German, however, bellen literally means to bark. Imagine asking your German colleague “even te bellen” and getting a puzzled look in return. Why would we bark? The solution: use the German word anrufen.
2. Klaar
“Klaar is klaar,” a Dutch speaker says with conviction, meaning something is finished. In German, klar means something else entirely: clear. A glass of water can be klar, but that does not mean a project is completed. A subtle difference, but in business conversations it makes a world of difference. If something is done, say fertig.
3. Slim
In Dutch, complimenting a colleague on how slim (smart) they handled something feels positive. In German this works differently: schlimm means bad or even disastrous. That well-intended compliment may not land the way it was meant. Better to go for intelligent or clever.
4. Winkel
Dutch speakers go to a winkel to shop. Germans, however, think of a Winkel as an angle, like a right angle of 90 degrees. Use the word casually and you may find yourself in a conversation about geometry. So remember: a shop is called a Geschäft in German.
5. Verzoeken
A Dutch verzoek is a polite request, as in “may I request you to do something?” The German versuchen has a completely different meaning: to try. So rather than telling your German colleague you want to versuchen them, kindly ask (bitten) them instead.
Why false friends are extra risky in business conversations
Mix-ups between Dutch and German words can produce both funny and awkward moments. Usually they are harmless, but in business conversations the stakes are different. A misunderstood “klaar” can mean your German partner thinks something is clear, while your Dutch colleague means it is finished. With deadlines, quotes and agreements, that difference is no longer a language joke.
Germany is also the Netherlands’ largest trading partner. Those who speak business German, and know the pitfalls, build trust faster than those who fall back on English. Being aware of these subtle differences not only makes your communication clearer, it also strengthens the trust and collaboration with German colleagues and business relations.
Doing business with German partners regularly?
With a Business German course, your team learns not only the language but also the pitfalls and etiquette that make the difference in German business relations. Tailored to your sector, in-company or online.
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Curious about more false friends? Read part 2 of this series, in which we cover even more words that lead to misunderstandings.
Frequently asked questions about Dutch-German false friends
What are false friends in language?
False friends are words that look or sound the same in two languages but have a different meaning. Dutch and German share many of them, precisely because the languages are closely related. Well-known examples: bellen (Dutch: to call, German: to bark), klar (clear, not finished) and schlimm (bad, not smart).
What does “bellen” mean in German?
In German, bellen means to bark. If you want to say you are phoning someone, use anrufen. Ask a German colleague “even te bellen” and you are literally asking them to bark.
Is “slim” a compliment in German?
No. The German schlimm means bad, unpleasant or even disastrous. If you want to compliment a German colleague on a smart approach, use intelligent or clever.
How do you avoid misunderstandings with German business partners?
Learn the most important false friends, double-check whether your message came across when in doubt, and invest in business German if you work with German partners regularly. Knowing the language and the etiquette builds trust and prevents costly misunderstandings.
