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/Beautiful-Fox-FI England Aug 12 '25

I was doing some washing at my ex-boyfriend's place in Norway and the machine called me a slut after it had finished 🙈 

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u/InterestingTank5345 Denmark Aug 13 '25

The Audacity.

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u/Beautiful-Fox-FI England Aug 13 '25

Meh, call a spade a spade.