Spanish False Friends
Don’t get lost in translation — master the tricky Spanish words that look familiar but mean something completely different.
Learning Spanish can be an exciting journey, but it’s not without its pitfalls. One of the trickiest challenges for English speakers is dealing with Spanish false friends – those sneaky words that look or sound similar in both languages but have entirely different meanings. These linguistic traps can lead to funny, embarrassing, or confusing situations. Understanding and mastering these false friends is essential for clear and effective communication.
False friends, or “falsos amigos,” can trip you up in everyday conversations, academic settings, and even professional contexts. Imagine confidently telling someone you’re “pregnant” when you meant to say you’re “embarrassed” – yes, that’s one of the classic false friend mix-ups! In this article, we’ll explore some of the most common false friends in Spanish, helping you avoid these common pitfalls and become a more proficient speaker.
Ready to dive in and tackle these linguistic challenges?
Let’s explore some of the most common false friends in Spanish and learn how to navigate them with confidence.
The most common Spanish false friends
Let’s explore some of the most common false friends in Spanish and learn how to navigate them with confidence.
Advertencia vs. Advertisement
What we think it means: Advertisement
What it really means: Warning
Example: “La advertencia del médico fue clara.” (The doctor’s warning was clear.)
Actualmente vs. Actually
What we think it means: Actually
What it really means: Currently
Example: “Actualmente, vivo en Dublín.” (Currently, I live in Dublin.)
Argumento vs. Argument
What we think it means: Argument (dispute)
What it really means: Plot (of a story)
Example: “El argumento de la película es interesante.” (The plot of the movie is interesting.)
Asistir vs. To Assist
What we think it means: To assist
What it really means: To attend
Example: “Voy a asistir a la conferencia.” (I am going to attend the conference.)
Carpeta vs. Carpet
What we think it means: Carpet
What it really means: Folder
Example: “Guardo mis documentos en una carpeta.” (I keep my documents in a folder.)
Constipado vs. Constipated
What we think it means: Constipated
What it really means: To have a cold
Example: “Estoy constipado y no puedo respirar bien.” (I have a cold and can’t breathe well.)
Contestar vs. Contest
What we think it means: Contest
What it really means: To answer
Example: “Voy a contestar el teléfono.” (I am going to answer the phone.)
Desierto vs. Dessert
What we think it means: Dessert
What it really means: Desert
Example: “El Sahara es un desierto enorme.” (The Sahara is a huge desert.)
Discutir vs. Discuss
What we think it means: Discuss
What it really means: To argue
Example: “Siempre discuten sobre política.” (They always argue about politics.)
Embarazada vs. Embarrassed
What we think it means: Embarrassed
What it really means: Pregnant
Example: “Ella está embarazada de seis meses.” (She is six months pregnant.)
Éxito vs. Exit
What we think it means: Exit
What it really means: Success
Example: “El evento fue un éxito total.” (The event was a total success.)
Fábrica vs. Fabric
What we think it means: Fabric
What it really means: Factory
Example: “Trabajo en una fábrica de coches.” (I work in a car factory.)
Librería vs. Library
What we think it means: Library
What it really means: Bookstore
Example: “Compré un libro en la librería.” (I bought a book at the bookstore.)
Pretender vs. To Pretend
What we think it means: To pretend
What it really means: To intend
Example: “Pretendo estudiar medicina.” (I intend to study medicine.)
Recordar vs. To Record
What we think it means: To record
What it really means: To remember
Example: “Debo recordar su cumpleaños.” (I must remember his birthday.)
Resumir vs. To Resume
What we think it means: To resume
What it really means: To summarize
Example: “Voy a resumir el capítulo.” (I am going to summarize the chapter.)
Sano vs. Sane
What we think it means: Sane
What it really means: Healthy
Example: “Comer frutas es muy sano.” (Eating fruits is very healthy.)
Soportar vs. Support
What we think it means: Support
What it really means: To tolerate
Example: “No puedo soportar el ruido.” (I can’t tolerate the noise.)
Suceso vs. Success
What we think it means: Success
What it really means: Event
Example: “El suceso ocurrió anoche.” (The event happened last night.)
Tópico vs. Topic
What we think it means: Topic
What it really means: Cliché
Example: “Ese es un tópico muy usado.” (That is a very used cliché.)
Keep Spanish false friends at bay
Mastering false friends is just one step in becoming a fluent Spanish speaker. To truly excel, it’s essential to expand your vocabulary and immerse yourself in the language. One of the best ways to do this is by reading easy-to-understand Spanish books, which can enhance your comprehension and make learning enjoyable.
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CEO, Teacher & Founder at Dublin Institute of Spanish
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Marketing Specialist at Dublin Institute of Spanish
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