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Ever had a fake friend? They’re all smiles until the moment comes to stab you in the back. False friends in Serbian and English are just the same — you think you know them, but the second you use them, everyone laughs, and you’re left blushing, wondering what went wrong.
That’s the thing about false friends — they’ll betray and embarrass you if you let them! So why not stay one step ahead? Learn the most common Serbian-English false friends now and dodge those awkward language mishaps before they happen!
Yes, sometimes the Serbian language will set a trap for you. There are certain pitfalls that most learners fall into, and among them, false friends in Serbian and English definitely take the cake.
Wondering what that means? False friends, or false cognates, are words that sound or look similar (or both) in two languages but mean something entirely different.
As you can imagine, they cause plenty of confusion — and the occasional headache. But don’t take it too seriously — even native speakers make mistakes.
To help you navigate these tricky words, here’s our lineup of common Serbian-English false friends. And if you do mix them up? Just laugh it off and keep going. No biggie!
fabrika – factory
Although it sounds like something your T-shirt is made of, fabrika isn’t the same as fabric in English. Instead, it’s where your clothes and many other things are manufactured. In other words, it’s a factory.
Example:
Njen muž radi u fabrici.
(Her husband works in a factory.)
By the way, if you’re wondering how to say fabric in Serbian, it’s materijal.
vest – a piece of news
If you spot a friend in a stylish top and say something like Baš ti je lep vest, don’t be surprised if they give you a puzzled look instead of a smile. That’s because vest has nothing to do with clothing in Serbian.
Despite the identical spelling, this word means a piece of news. As a result, vest can be good (dobra) or bad (loša), but it’s never going to be fancy.
That said, if you still want to copliment your friend’s fashion, the word you’re looking for is prsluk (vest).
Example:
Pojačaj zvuk. Slušam vesti.
(Turn up the sound. I’m listening to the news.)
sympathy – a crush, attraction
If you feel sympathy or compassion for someone’s misfortune, Serbs would call it saosećanje.
Sounds simple enough, right? Well, here’s the catch — Serbian has a word that sounds almost identical to sympathy: simpatija. And as you might guess, these two are false friends.
In Serbian, simpatija isn’t about pity — it’s about romance. It refers to your crush, that special someone who’s caught your eye.
Example:
Poslala je poruku simpatiji, ali on joj nije odgovorio.
(She texted her crush, but he hasn’t replied.)
Also, simpatija can refer to the feeling of attraction or fondness towards someone.
Example:
Već dugo gajim simpatije prema tebi.
(I’ve been attracted to you for a long time.)
aktuelno – current, relevant
The Serbian adjective aktuelno and the English actual look and sound like twins, right? Actually, they’re false friends.
In Serbian, aktuelno means current or relevant, not actual.
Example:
Danas razgovaramo o aktuelnim temama.
(Today, we’re discussing relevant topics.)
eventualno – possibly, potentially
Here’s another pair of false friends that might make your head spin: eventualno and eventually.
In English, eventually means in the end, but its Slavic lookalike has a different job — it refers to something that might happen or is potentially possible.
Example:
Vratiću ti pare u četvrtak, eventualno petak.
(I’ll give you back the money on Thursday, possibly Friday.)
šef – boss
Šef and chef — similar spelling, different meanings. In English, a chef (kuvar) cooks for you. In Serbia, your šef tells you what to do.
Example:
Moj šef je veoma profesionalan.
(My boss is very professional.)
paradajz – tomato
Do you love tomatoes? Do they taste like… paradise?
Incidentally, the Serbian word for this garden gem is paradajz and has nothing to do with paradise (raj). Still, some may say tomatoes came straight from heaven into our kitchens. Do you agree?
Example:
Za ovu salatu biće vam potrebna dva paradajza, dva krastavca, i jedan crni luk.
(For this salad, you’ll need two tomatoes, two cucumbers, and an onion.)
gimnazija – high-school
Do you love a good workout? Then you probably hit the gym — short for gymnasium — regularly. But if you walk into a gimnazija in Serbia expecting weights and treadmills, you’re in for a disappointment.
Instead of dumbbells, you’ll find textbooks and sleepy students because gimnazija is a high school. More specifically, it’s an academic high school designed to prepare students for university — unlike vocational schools.
Example:
Zavrsio je gimnaziju i upisao studije u inostranstvu.
(He graduated from high school and entered a university abroad.)
recept – recipe
Picture this: you’ve just enjoyed a fantastic meal paired with an even better wine. When it’s time to pay, you ask for the recept.
Cue confused stares from the staff.
That’s because in Serbian, recept means recipe, not receipt. So, if you’re looking to settle the bill, ask for a račun instead.
Example:
Ova torta je preukusna. Moraš da mi daš recept.
(This cake is delicious. You have to give me the recipe.)
pasta (za zube) – toothpaste
Craving spaghetti for dinner? If you head to a Serbian shop and ask for pasta, don’t be surprised if they hand you a tube of toothpaste.
While Serbs sometimes refer to macaroni, lasagna, and similar dishes as pasta, the first thing most people think of is pasta za zube (toothpaste) — or pasta in short. So, to avoid confusion, ask for testenine when you’re looking for the noodle variety.
Example:
Spakovao sam pastu, četkicu, i sapun u neseser.
(I packed toothpaste, a toothbrush, and soap into the toiletry bag.)
As you see, some Serbian words are trickier than others and call for extra caution. But if you ever fall prey to false friends in Serbian and English — worry not. Getting lost in translation is a part of learning a language. So, embrace each misunderstanding and have fun with it. After all, every mistake we make is a lesson — not something to feel embarrassed about.
Of course, this list can go on for miles. In fact, we have an Instagram post on a related topic. Be sure to check it out and follow us for more bite-sized Serbian lessons. Happy studying!
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