Further to a recent question about similar words for yes and no in different languages, "νάι" (pronounced "neh") means "Yes" in Greek, whilst in two neighbouring countries, Macedonia and Bulgaria, "Hе" (transliterated "Ne" and pronounced the same way as νάι) - means "No"; confusingly both "νάι" and "Не" are likely to be accompanied by a nod. (s a matter of interest, the word "ne" (still pronounced "neh") also exists in 2 other countries neighbouring Greece, Turkey, where it means "what" and Albania, where it means "We, us". Does any one elso know of other instances of similar words having opposing meanings in contiguous regions?
2007-03-03 01:30:05 · 5 answers · asked by GrahamH 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Languages
This isn't entirely what you're looking for, but is kind of interesting:
The Welsh word for "and" is "ac", while "but" is translated as "ond". In Old English, however, "ond" was a variant of "and", while "ac" meant "but".
This kind of conjunction is very fluid, however.
2007-03-04 08:31:13 · answer #1 · answered by garik 5 · 7⤊ 1⤋
It's not really a bordering region issue, but the Polish word "no" (pronounced like English "no") means "yeah" (affirmative, slightly informal).
When you're learning Polish, it can be difficult to get past the mental barrier of saying "no" when you mean "yes".
2007-03-03 03:52:12 · answer #2 · answered by JP 7 · 11⤊ 1⤋
Didnt the knights of the forest say Ne!?
2007-03-03 01:38:21 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 7⤊ 1⤋
If you see the sign 'Puxe' (pronounced 'push')..on a door in Portugal or Brazil...do not push it..Puxe means 'Pull'!!!
2007-03-03 06:50:36 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 13⤊ 1⤋
"si" in spanish can mean yes or if. so that can be pretty confusing. que can mean when and what.
2007-03-03 01:37:27 · answer #5 · answered by chris c 3 · 3⤊ 17⤋