Those "False Friends"!!



False cognates are more commonly known false friends.


False friends are words in two languages that look or sound similar, but have quite different meanings.


Here are a few examples from the situation of a native English speaker learning Spinish:


(I) embarazada ≠ embarrassed.


It is so prevalent because we all at some point want to say we are “embarrassed” to speak Spanish. But don’t use the word embarazada to express that sentiment.  Embarazada means pregnant, which has nothing to do with what you mean to say.  If you want to express embarrassment, the correct word is avergonzada.


(II) constipado ≠ constipated.

The first time you hear the word you might feel like you’ve just been given a little TMI (too much information), but constipado actually refers to having a cold, a synonym of the Spanish word resfriado.  If you really want to talk about your bowel movements (though not recommended) the word you want is estreñido.

(III) molestar ≠ molest


When you first hear this word you may feel a bit shocked if you’re thinking it means the same in English.  But molestar in Spanish means to bother.  You will often hear it as a form of politeness as in “No quiero molestarte, pero tienes algunos minutos” meaning ” I don’t want to bother you, but do you have a few minutes”.

(IV) libreria ≠ library


Una libreria has books, but they are books for buying, as in a bookstore.  If you want to go to the library, you are looking for the biblioteca, where the books are free to rent and you can study.

(V) sensible ≠ sensible


It’s almost cruel because they are even spelled the same, but sensible does not mean someone who is sensible or reasonable.  It means someone who is sensitive, as in reacting with emotion.  If someone is sensible, we would say she was sensato or razonable.
November 20, 2018
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Frankie

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Flag
English
globe
Ireland
time
10
Speaks:
English
Native
,
Italian
C1
,
Spanish
C1
,
Mandarin
B1
,
Portuguese
B1
,
Irish Gaelic
A1
,
Finnish
,
Thai
I am a person who is passionate about teaching and learning new languages. Because I have gone through the process of learning new languages while travelling, I now have knowledge of the techniques and capabilities required to master a language. One of my favourite aspects of language teaching is cultural cross referencing, having studied European languages and experienced the transition from being a beginner to being an advanced speaker in both Spanish and Italian. I am presently taking on the challenge of learning Mandarin Chinese. I will help students with the following aspect of English language acquisition: English for everyday use. English comprehension & grammar. Colloquial and slang. Business English. English for Test Preparation. English to help give the best interview possible. English for when travelling the world. English for living and/or working abroad.
Flag
English
globe
Ireland
time
10
Speaks:
English
Native
,
Italian
C1
,
Spanish
C1
,
Mandarin
B1
,
Portuguese
B1
,
Irish Gaelic
A1
,
Finnish
,
Thai
I am a person who is passionate about teaching and learning new languages. Because I have gone through the process of learning new languages while travelling, I now have knowledge of the techniques and capabilities required to master a language. One of my favourite aspects of language teaching is cultural cross referencing, having studied European languages and experienced the transition from being a beginner to being an advanced speaker in both Spanish and Italian. I am presently taking on the challenge of learning Mandarin Chinese. I will help students with the following aspect of English language acquisition: English for everyday use. English comprehension & grammar. Colloquial and slang. Business English. English for Test Preparation. English to help give the best interview possible. English for when travelling the world. English for living and/or working abroad.
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