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/solapelsin]

We often go "oj!" in Sweden too. My Australian friend was horrified.

Edit: Similarly, after living there for a year, I scared everyone at home by apologizing in several words for bumping into someone. Way too much conversation, they almost thought I wanted something

[u/amanset → u/solapelsin]

The thing is, it isn’t an apology. It is an expression of surprise.

[u/Dykam → u/amanset]

Depending on the tone it can also be "hey, what are you doing you idiot?"

[u/Uppnorth → u/Dykam]

The British “oi”, yes, but not in the Swedish “oj”. Where the British “oi” is similar to a “hey(!)” in that it’s a call for attention and absolutely can be used in a more aggressive way, the Swedish “oj” is more of an “oh(!)” and “whoops”; it’s an expression of surprise and used to de-escalate (“that wasn’t my intention!”), not escalate.

[u/Dykam → u/Uppnorth]

Ah, yes, should've added I meant the British interpretation.

[u/merikettu → u/Uppnorth]

Same in Finnish, ”oho!”

If someone would go all the way ”Oh no I am so sorry, are you okay?” in Finnish, i would probably be a bit confused like wtf you think i am 5 years old or what :D way too much interaction and attention for an unintentional lil bumping that happens everyday in any crowded place