faux pas
noun
an embarrassing or tactless act or remark in a social situation.
Here's a common faux pas for Japanese learners due to false friends:
English: "I’ll have a mansion in the future."
Japanese false friend: "私は将来マンション**を持ちたいです。"
Why it's a faux pas:
In Japanese, マンション refers to an apartment or condo, not a large house like it does in English. So, if a Japanese learner says "マンション" in English, they might be thinking of an apartment, but in English, it would sound like they're talking about a big, luxurious house.
If you'd like to learn English with a native speaker who will naturally pick up these errors, let's chat!
Hope to meet you soon!
Zia
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