When Gift Means Poison: Surprising German-English False Friends

In this episode of Better German, host Susi Blumel explores the
often confusing concept of “false friends”—German words that look
or sound like English ones but mean something entirely different.
With relatable stories and examples like Gift, become, and Rat,
Susi highlights how these tricky pairs can lead to
misunderstandings. She shares practical tips for spotting and
mastering false friends, including smart vocabulary-building
strategies and the importance of a good dictionary. The episode
also gives a shoutout to the free Better German Community—which
is completely free to join and is an encouraging space for
learners to connect and keep growing!


Join The Better German Community 
      Think you’re “bad at languages”? You’re
not—the method was just wrong. Join the Better German Community
and learn German in a way that finally makes sense.





  Sign Up for Our Newsletter
       Get Tips & Updates Straight To
Your Inbox!

Explore Our Podcast Episodes
      New to the podcast? Head over to our podcast
homepage to find other episodes you’ll love.

Come See Our Approach For Yourself
      We believe in real
understanding, not just memorizing grammar rules—come
see how we do in this YouTube Video.

Ready to take your German to the next level?
       Click here to book your free
first session and let’s get started! Find out which course is
right for you!


      Whether you’re just starting or want to
finally feel confident speaking German, we’ll build a personal
learning path that fits you.




Stay Connected and Follow Us On:


Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bettergermanonline/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bettergerman.info

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Better-German

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@susibettergerman

Pinterest: https://de.pinterest.com/susibettergerman/



Enjoyed this episode?


      If you liked what you heard, give us a
review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify or share it
with a fellow learner!