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German blenden vs English blend- Tricky False Friends in German and English

Writer: Jens OlesenJens Olesen

Updated: Dec 29, 2023

The German verb “blenden“ and the English “to blend” are so-called false friends (or false cognates) because even though they may look like twins their meanings bear no relation whatsoever. In this post, I will explain the difference in meaning between blenden and blend.


Blenden vs. blend - and the difference in meaning
Blenden vs. blend - and the difference in meaning
Blender in German
Blender in German

While the German verb ‘blenden’ means ‘to deceive, to blind’, the English ‘blend’ stands for ‘mischen or verschmelzen’.


E.g. Er blendet viele Leute mit seiner emphatischen und herzlichen Art und seinem guten Aussehen.

(He deceives many people with his emphatic and affectionate behaviour and his good looks)

Um einen Smoothie zu machen, vermischt sie Basilikum, Bananen, Äpfel und Kiwi mit einem Mixgerät.

(In order to make smoothie, she blends basil, bananas, apples, and kiwis with a blender)


Following from the above, for a German native speaker a ”Blender” wouldn’t be a helpful kitchen device but a deceitful person.





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