Spanish False Friends: Common Mistakes English Speakers Make
English and Spanish share thousands of words, which is a gift for learners. A few of them, called false friends or falsos amigos, look the same but mean something different. They cause funny moments and a few embarrassing ones. Here are the most useful ones, grouped so they are easier to remember.
Quick answer
- False friends look like English words but have a different meaning: embarazada means pregnant, not embarrassed.
- Many similar-looking words are real cognates: hospital, animal, importante, chocolate mean what you expect.
- When a word seems too easy, check the context or look it up. That is how you catch the traps before they catch you.
Everyday traps
These words come up in daily conversation, so they are worth learning first.
| Spanish word | Looks like | It really means | For the English meaning, say |
|---|---|---|---|
| embarazada | embarrassed | pregnant | avergonzado/a, me da pena |
| éxito | exit | success | salida |
| librería | library | bookstore | biblioteca |
| carpeta | carpet | folder | alfombra |
| ropa | rope | clothes | cuerda |
| largo | large | long | grande |
| actual | actual | current, present | real, verdadero |
Examples
- Mi hermana está embarazada.My sister is pregnant.Not “embarrassed.”
- Me da pena hablar en público.I am embarrassed to speak in public.A natural way to say it in Mexico.
- El concierto fue un éxito.The concert was a success.Not “exit.”
- La salida está a la derecha.The exit is on the right.Salida, not éxito.
- Compro libros en la librería y los leo en la biblioteca.I buy books at the bookstore and read them at the library.Both words in one sentence.
- El problema actual es el tráfico.The current problem is traffic.Actual means current.
Verbs and abstract words
These false friends are harder to catch, because the English word seems to fit the sentence.
| Spanish word | Looks like | It really means | For the English meaning, say |
|---|---|---|---|
| asistir | assist | to attend | ayudar |
| realizar | realize | to carry out, to achieve | darse cuenta |
| introducir | introduce | to insert, to put in | presentar |
| pretender | pretend | to intend, to try | fingir |
| soportar | support | to put up with | apoyar |
| decepción | deception | disappointment | engaño |
| sensible | sensible | sensitive | sensato |
| lectura | lecture | reading | conferencia |
Examples
- Asisto a clase los lunes.I attend class on Mondays.Asistir means to attend.
- Te ayudo con la tarea.I help you with the homework.Ayudar is to help or assist.
- Me di cuenta de mi error.I realized my mistake.Darse cuenta is to realize.
- Quiero presentarte a mi amiga.I want to introduce you to my friend.Presentar is to introduce a person.
- No soporto el ruido.I cannot stand the noise.Soportar is to bear.
- El final de la película fue una decepción.The end of the movie was a disappointment.Decepción is not deception.
Real cognates that help you
Do not be afraid of every similar word. Most of them are real cognates, and a few patterns make them easy to recognize. Words ending in -tion usually end in -ción (nación, información), words ending in -ity end in -idad (universidad, realidad), and words ending in -ous often end in -oso (famoso, delicioso).
Examples
- La información es muy importante.The information is very important.-ción and important.
- La universidad es famosa.The university is famous.-idad and -oso.
How to avoid false friends
Check the meaning when a word does not make sense in context. Learn new words in whole sentences, not as isolated translations. And keep a list of your own false friends: the ones you personally mistake are the most useful to review.
Common mistakes
Incorrect: Estoy embarazada de hablar en público.
Correct: Me da pena hablar en público.
Embarazada means pregnant. To say you are embarrassed, use me da pena or estoy avergonzado.
Incorrect: Voy a la librería para leer libros gratis.
Correct: Voy a la biblioteca para leer libros gratis.
Librería is a bookstore. A library is a biblioteca.
Incorrect: La éxito está a la derecha.
Correct: La salida está a la derecha.
Éxito means success. For an exit, use salida.
Incorrect: Asisto a mi hermana con la tarea.
Correct: Ayudo a mi hermana con la tarea.
Asistir means to attend. To help, use ayudar.
The worst offenders
- Embarazada is pregnant, éxito is success, librería is a bookstore.
- Asistir is to attend, realizar is to carry out, soportar is to tolerate.
- When a word seems too easy, check it. Similar words are often real cognates, but not always.
Mini practice
5 quick questions. You get feedback right after each answer.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a false friend and a cognate?
A cognate is a word with the same root and meaning in both languages (animal, chocolate). A false friend looks like a cognate but has a different meaning.
Why do false friends exist?
English and Spanish both borrowed words from Latin, but the meanings drifted apart over time. Some words kept one meaning in one language and another meaning in the other.
Are all similar words false friends?
No. Most similar words are real cognates, and they are a big advantage. False friends are the exception, and the lists on this page cover the most common.
Do false friends change by country?
A few do. For example, the word for a rug or mat can be alfombra or tapete depending on the country. When in doubt, ask or check a local dictionary.
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