Do you know the expression “false friends”? For those who don’t know the expressions “false friends” or “false cognates” refer to the words in two different languages that are similar but have a completely different meaning. When we don’t know a word, we normally try to associate the word in our native language to the one in language we are learning. Both English and Spanish have latin roots so a lot of times happens that the word we are searching for is actually similar to the one in our native language, for example “cliente” in Spanish and “client” in English or “fantástico” in Spanish and “fantastic” in English.
BUT, be careful, this does not always work out!
False friends – Falsos amigos
Here’s a list of some of the false friends you should know the difference.
Embarazada vs. Embarrassing
Well, don’t say “Estoy embarazada” when you want to say you’re shy or embarrassed, because you’ll actually be saying “I’m pregnant”.
Embarazada = pregnant
Embarrassing = avergonzado
Actual vs. Actually
When you want to say actually in Spanish say “en realidad”, because “actual” means current. So don’t confuse them.
Actual = current
Actually = en realidad
Éxito vs. Exit
These two words are practically the same when written but they have a completely different meaning. “Éxito” means success and to say “exit” in Spanish you would say “salida”.
Éxito = success
Exit = salida
Nudo vs. Nude
Just one letter changes in these two words, but they have nothing else in common. “Nudo” in Spanish means “knot” and to say “nude” in Spanish you would say “desnudo”.
Nudo = knot
Nude = desnudo
Fábrica vs. Fabric
Fábrica in Spanish means “factory” and “fabric” in English means “tela”. Be careful when wanting to say one or another!
Fábrica = factory
Fabric = tela
Librería vs. Library
A common mistake that English and Spanish students do is confusing these two words. Although they both have to do with books, “librería” in Spanish means bookshop and “library” means “biblioteca”.
Librería = bookshop
Library = biblioteca
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