12 Spanish-English False Friends and Their True Meanings
False friends are as dangerous in the realm of language as they are in real life. When it comes to the Spanish language, there are lots of words that make you think you know what they mean when you actually don’t. True, Spanish is full of familiar-looking words that are also identical in meaning: civilización, adolescencia, oscuridad, tomate, hamburguesa. We don’t have to tell you what they mean. But then other words seem to belong in this group when they actually don’t. Take decepción, for example. While it looks very similar to its English counterpart, “deception”, its actual translation is “disappointment” or “letdown”. See how Spanish-English false friends could totally change the meaning of your sentences?
Table of Contents
→Sign Up Now: Free Trial Spanish Lesson With a Native Teacher!←
Today, we are sharing 12 essential Spanish-English false friends that you need to know.
1. Actual / Actual
English: Real, true
Spanish: Current
¿Estos datos son actuales?
“Is this data up to date?”
2. Asistir / Assist
English: To help
Spanish: To attend
¿Vas a asistir a la reunión?
“Will you attend the meeting?”
3. Disgusto / Disgust
English: Repugnance
Spanish: Misfortune, displeasure, upset
No vuelvas tarde a casa o me vas a dar un disgusto.
“Don’t come home late or I will be upset”
4. Efectivo / Effective
English: Efficient
Spanish: Cash
¿Pagas con tarjeta o con efectivo?
“Will you you pay with a card or with cash?”
5. Embarazada / Embarrassed
English = Ashamed
Spanish: Pregnant
¿Cuánto hace que estás embarazada?
“How long have you been pregnant?”
6. Lectura / Lecture
English: Conference
Spanish: Reading
La lectura hace bien a la memoria.
“Reading improves your memory”.
7. Librería / Library
English: A collection of books and other informational materials for public use.
Spanish: Bookstore
¿Conoces una buena librería donde pueda comprar un libro de cocina?
“Do you know any bookstore where I can buy a cookery book?”
8. Noticia / Notice
English: Notification, warning
Spanish: A piece of news
¿Escuchaste las noticias? Renunció el presidente.
Have you heard the news? The president has resigned.
9. Particular / Particular
English: Special
Spanish: Private
Trabajo como profesor de inglés particular.
“I work as a private English teacher”.
10. Pretender / Pretend
English: Make as if
Spanish: Want, intend
¿Qué pretendes que haga?
“What do you want me to do?”
11. Suburbio / Suburbs
English: Residental area
Spanish: Slum
Eran tan pobres que vivían en los suburbios.
“They were so poor they lived in a slum”.
12. Suceso / Success
English: Accomplishment
Spanish: Event
Dados los sucesos de público conocimiento…
“Given the events of public knowledge…”
Exploring Spanish-English false friends is a fun and revealing way to unlock the meanings of some of the most common words in Spanish.
→Sign Up Now: Free Trial Spanish Lesson With a Native Teacher!←
But do you know what’s even better? Doing it with a native teacher who can teach you all the nuances involved in the usage of these words and create engaging, communicative tasks for you to practice new vocabulary.
At Listen & Learn, we offer online and in-person Spanish classes designed to suit every learner’s needs and learning style. Whether you’re looking for online Spanish lessons you can take during your lunch break at work or in-person Spanish courses in New York, Washington D.C., or wherever home is, we are here to help. Contact Listen & Learn and let the learning journey begin.