Learning about false friends (false cognates) is like avoiding bad dating advice – they seem trustworthy but can lead to awkward misunderstandings. Knowing them helps you avoid common mistakes, build your vocabulary, and communicate more clearly in English.

Aprender sobre los falsos amigos es como evitar malos consejos para citas: parecen confiables, pero pueden llevar a malentendidos incómodos. Conocerlos te ayuda a evitar errores comunes, ampliar tu vocabulario y comunicarte con más claridad en inglés.

Misleading words between English and Spanish

Learning a new language can be exciting and challenging, especially when encountering "false friends". These are words in two languages that look or sound similar but have different meanings. For Spanish speakers learning English, false friends can cause confusion and even funny misunderstandings.

In this article, we’ll explore what false friends are, how they got their name, and provide 15 common examples between English and Spanish. We’ll also share tips on how to recognize and avoid these tricky words.

What are false friends?

False friends are pairs of words in different languages that appear similar but have different meanings. The term comes from the French phrase "faux amis", coined (created) by linguists Maxime Koessler and Jules Derocquigny in their 1928 book Les Faux Amis ou les Trahisons du Vocabulaire Anglais. They used this term because such words can "betray" language learners by making them think they understand something when they don’t.

For example, a Spanish speaker you might see the English word "library" and assume it means librería.

Library (English) vs. Librería (Spanish)

English: "Library" (Biblioteca) is a place to borrow books.

Spanish: Librería means "bookstore," where books are sold.

This assumption could lead to misunderstandings in conversations or while reading texts.

Are false cognates the same as false friends?

Yes, false cognates and false friends are often used interchangeably, but they can have slightly different connotations depending on the context.

False cognates: Similar words with different meanings that may or may not share an origin.

False friends: A type of false cognate, where the words look alike and share a common origin but have different meanings.

In short, all false friends are false cognates, but not all false cognates are necessarily false friends.

For example: English "embarrassed" and Spanish embarazada: They are false friends because they look similar and share a Latin origin, but in English, "embarrassed" means feeling self-conscious, while in Spanish, "embarazada" means pregnant.

15 common false friends between English and Spanish

Here are some of the most common false friends that often confuse Spanish speakers learning English:

1. Actual (English) vs. Actual (Spanish)

English: "Actual" means real, true or exact.

Spanish: Actual means "current" or "present".

2. Assist (English) vs. Asistir (Spanish)

English: "Assist" means to help someone.

Spanish: Asistir means "to attend".

3. Carpet (English) vs. Carpeta (Spanish)

English: "Carpet" is a floor covering made of fabric.

Spanish: Carpeta means "folder" or "file" used to organize papers.

4. Constipated (English) vs. Constipado (Spanish)

English: "Constipated" means having difficulty with bowel movements.

Spanish: Constipado means "having a cold" or "being congested."

5. Embarassed (English) vs. Embarazada (Spanish)

English: "Embarassed" means feeling ashamed or awkward.

Spanish: Embarazada means "pregnant."

6. Eventually (English) vs. Eventualmente (Spanish)

English: "Eventually" means "in the end" or "finally."

Spanish: Eventualmente means "possibly" or "by chance."

7. Exit (English) vs. Éxito (Spanish)

English: "Exit" means a way out of a place.

Spanish: Éxito means "success."

8. Fabric (English) vs. Fábrica (Spanish)

English: "Fabric" refers to material used in clothing or textiles.

Spanish: Fábrica means "factory" or "manufacturing plant."

9. Introduce (English) vs. Introducir (Spanish)

English: "Introduce" means to present someone or something to others.

Spanish: Introducir means "to insert" or "to put into something."

10. Lecture (English) vs. Lectura (Spanish)

English: "Lecture" means a formal talk or presentation, often at a university.

Spanish: Lectura means "reading" or "the act of reading."

11. Nude (English) vs. Nudo (Spanish)

English: "Nude" means naked or without clothes.

Spanish: Nudo means "knot," like in a rope or string.

12. Pretend (English) vs. Pretender (Spanish)

English: "Pretend" means to act as if something is true when it’s not.

Spanish: Pretender means "to aim for" or "to try to achieve something."

13. Realize (English) vs. Realizar (Spanish)

English: "Realize" means to become aware of something.

Spanish: Realizar means "to carry out" or "to achieve".

14. Sensible (English) vs. Sensible (Spanish)

English: "Sensible" means practical or reasonable.

Spanish: Sensible means "sensitive" or "emotional."

15. Sympathetic (English) vs. Simpático (Spanish)

English: "Sympathetic" means showing compassion or understanding.

Spanish: Simpático means "nice" or "friendly."

How to recognize false friends

Learning to identify false friends can help language learners avoid misunderstandings. Here are some tips:

Learn in Context: Pay attention to how words are used in sentences. Context often reveals the correct meaning.

Use a Reliable Dictionary: Look up new words in a trusted bilingual dictionary to check meanings and examples.

Study Word Families: Learning related words can help you notice patterns and meanings.

Create Flashcards: Make flashcards with the English word, its Spanish false friend, and their definitions.

Read Regularly: Reading books, articles, or news in English can reinforce correct meanings over time.

Practice with Native Speakers: Conversations with native English speakers can clarify confusing words.

Book your FREE English lesson now.

Final thoughts

By reading this article, you’ve hopefully gained a clearer understanding of what false friends are and how they can create confusion for you as a Spanish speaker learning English. You’ve learned 15 common examples, their correct meanings in both languages, and discovered practical strategies to identify and avoid these tricky word pairs.

With this knowledge, you are now better equipped to avoid embarrassing mistakes, and communicate more confidently in English. Keep practicing, stay curious, and remember—mastering false friends is a big step toward mastering a new language!

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