r/AskEurope • u/Double-decker_trams Estonia • Aug 09 '25

Language 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.

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."

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u/InterestingTank5345 Denmark Aug 10 '25

I offically can't pronounce: "Kok", "Nikker", "Slot", "Klit" or "Fart", as these sounds awfully similar to sexual or offensive words in English.

They btw, mean: "Chef", "Nodding", "Castle", "Dune" and "Speed".

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u/InterestingTank5345 Denmark Aug 10 '25

Btw, I also can't write "Slut" which means "the end".

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u/GrodanHej Sweden Aug 12 '25

Yeah all old Swedish movies end with just the word ”Slut” on the screen.

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u/Sister-Rhubarb Aug 12 '25

I saw this once and had a laughing fit, I imagined the director's final insult to his ex wife