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Spanish false friends


Spanish false friends


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.




1. 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.)


2. Actualmente vs. Actually

  • What we think it means: Actually

  • What it really means: Currently


  • Example: "Actualmente, vivo en Dublín." (Currently, I live in Dublin.)


3. 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.)



4. 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.)


5. 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.)


6. 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.)



7. 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.)


8. 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.)


9. 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.)




10. 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.)


11. 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.)


12. 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.)


13. 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.)



14. 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.)


15. 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.)


16. 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.)


17. 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.)


18. 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.)


19. Suceso vs. Success

  • What we think it means: Success

  • What it really means: Event


  • Example: "El suceso ocurrió anoche." (The event happened last night.)



20. 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.


At the Dublin Institute of Spanish, we offer thematic courses that cater to various interests and proficiency levels. Whether you're into Spanish culture, business Spanish, or looking to improve your conversational skills, our thematic courses provide a comprehensive learning experience. Dive into the world of Spanish with our reading clubs, drama conversational classes, and more!


Discover the joy of learning with us and take your Spanish to the next level.


Explore our courses and sign up today: Thematic Courses at Dublin Institute of Spanish



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