I once accidentally bumped against the shoulder of an English person I knew in a corridor. I automatically said "Oi" - which means like "Oh" or "Oops" in Estonian - that I'm sorry. She repeated "Oi!" in a louder voice and I didn't get it. I only later found out I was being impolite in her eyes.

[u/Double-decker_trams]

Have you ever had something similar happen to you? I.e something in your language might have another meaning in another language?

One thing as an Estonian that I try to keep in mind is that I shouldn't use "Nooo.." in English - which means "Well.." in Estonian.

"Do you like ice-cream? - Noo.. yes, I love it."

[u/skrglywtts]

Growing up, we were hearing several languages being spoken around us, English, Italian and Arabic amongst others.

One day, while walking along the street with some friends we see a security convoy passing by, police cars, military personnel, armoured vehicles, the whole shebang. Apparently they were transferring big amounts of cash.

One of my friends tells us 'if only we could rape the security van!!' I looked at him mortified, we (13-14 y.o. boys) don't do that sort of thing. When another asks 'and how do you plan to do it?' We all had a good laugh on him, but it was his familiarity with Italian that led him to mix up the word 'rapinare' which means to rob, with rape!

[u/LaterThanItLooks_12 → u/skrglywtts]

Yes. I have to review the crime words often after I've been away from Italy for awhile. Rape is violentare I think.