False friends, advanced

Same look, different meaning

• Eventueel means “possibly, if need be”, never “eventually” (= uiteindelijk): Eventueel kunnen we morgen afspreken. Actueel means “topical, current”, not “actual” (= werkelijk, daadwerkelijk).
• Character words: sympathiek = likeable (sympathetic = meelevend, begripvol); brutaal = cheeky, impertinent (brutal = wreed, bruut); consequent = consistent (consequently = dus, bijgevolg); ordinair = vulgar, common (ordinary = gewoon).
• Geniaal = brilliant (genial = joviaal, hartelijk); pathetisch = overly emotional, bombastic (pathetic = zielig, meelijwekkend). Under English influence pathetisch is also used for “pathetic”, but careful writers avoid that.
• Nouns: de concurrent = competitor (concurrent = gelijktijdig); het monster = sample as well as monster; de fysicus = physicist (physician = arts). Controleren = to check (to control = beheersen, besturen). Het college = lecture (course) or board (college van B en W); pregnant = pithy, meaningful (pregnant = zwanger).