Turkish and English may borrow some vocabulary from shared sources—French, Arabic, Persian, and even modern global terminology—but this overlap can be misleading. Some words look similar but have entirely different meanings. These “false friends” are notorious for causing translation errors, especially in marketing, UI localization, legal content, and business communication. For anyone working in Turkish to English translation, recognizing these deceptive pairs is essential.
This article explores eight of the most problematic false friends that often trick translators. You’ll learn what each word means in Turkish, why English speakers misinterpret them, and how localization professionals correct these mistakes. More importantly, we’ll discuss how choosing the wrong meaning can confuse users, weaken brand credibility, or create misunderstandings. Whether you’re translating for software, e-commerce, aviation, or corporate messaging, avoiding false friends is key to maintaining accuracy and clarity.
- “Apartman” — Not “Apartment”
While it looks similar to “apartment,” apartman in Turkish refers to the entire building, not a single living unit. Translators must replace it with “apartment building” or “residential building.” Using the wrong equivalent can mislead readers in real estate listings, emergency reports, or location-based instructions.
- “Branş” — Not “Branch”
In Turkish, branş refers to a specialty or field, particularly in education or medicine. English “branch” refers to a physical or organizational subdivision. Correct equivalents include “specialty,” “discipline,” or “area of expertise.”
- “Kolej” — Not “College”
Turkish kolej typically means a private high school, not a university. Translators in education, admissions, or transcript evaluation must render it as “private high school” or “secondary school” to avoid confusion.
- “Kontrol” — Not Always “Control”
While they sometimes overlap, kontrol often means inspection, check, or verification. If you translate it as “control” in UI or aviation safety contexts, the meaning can change drastically. Better equivalents include “check,” “verify,” or “inspect.”
- “Mütercim” — Not “Mutterer”
This false friend is almost humorous. Mütercim means interpreter or translator, not someone who mutters. It appears frequently in academic or literary contexts, so accuracy is important.
- “Ofis” — Not Always “Office”
Although similar, Turkish ofis is often used for small private workspaces or agencies, while “office” in English covers a broader corporate environment. Depending on context, “studio,” “agency,” or “workspace” might be more accurate.
- “Şikayet” — Not Always “Sick” (Despite Sound Similarity)
This one is phonetic, not visual. Şikayet means complaint. In customer service localization, this must always be translated as “complaint,” “issue,” or “report,” not anything related to sickness.
- “Süre” — Not “Sure”
Though they look similar, süre refers to duration or period of time. Translators must use “duration,” “time period,” or “length” to preserve accuracy. Incorrect translation can distort timelines or deadlines.
Conclusion
False friends between Turkish and English create some of the most common translation errors—especially for beginners or automated systems. These misleading word pairs may look familiar, but their meanings often diverge dramatically. In localization, accuracy is not optional; a mistranslated term can confuse users, misrepresent businesses, or distort data. That’s why Turkish to English translators must double-check context, terminology, and intended meaning.
By learning these eight false friends and their proper equivalents, you’ll reduce misunderstandings and increase the clarity of your translations. Whether you’re working with UI text, academic documents, customer service scripts, or marketing content, choosing the right word is essential. Effective localization is about trust—and precise wording builds that trust. Keep building your vocabulary awareness, stay alert to deceptive similarities, and continue refining your linguistic decision-making. The more false friends you recognize, the better your translations will become.
FAQs
- Why do false friends occur between Turkish and English?
Borrowed words evolve differently across languages. - Can false friends affect brand reputation?
Yes—incorrect wording can weaken clarity and credibility. - Are false friends common in app localization?
Very much so, especially in menus and UI labels. - Do Turkish learners of English struggle with false friends?
Yes—they often misinterpret meanings based on appearance. - How can translators avoid these mistakes?
Always check context, consult reliable dictionaries, and avoid assumptions.