Are you tired of being caught in awkward situations because you used a false friend in Spanish-English conversation? Fear not, for you are not alone!
False friends are words that look or sound similar in two different languages but actually have different meanings. They’re like the pranksters of language learning, waiting to catch you off guard and trip you up. You think you’ve got a handle on the vocabulary, only to find out that the word you just used in Spanish means something completely different in English.
It can be frustrating, sure, but it’s also part of the journey. Embrace the mishaps and have a laugh about it – after all, language learning is all about making mistakes and learning from them. Just try not to accidentally insult someone in the process!
So, let’s take a closer look at some of the most common false friends in Spanish-English and how to avoid them.
Most common false friends in Spanish-English (with examples)
1. Embarazada
This word means “pregnant” in Spanish, not “embarrassed” as it might appear. This false friend could cause confusion in situations where someone is trying to express embarrassment or awkwardness, but instead, they use “embarazada” and end up saying they are pregnant.
For example, imagine a non-native Spanish speaker trying to tell their Spanish-speaking boss that they are feeling embarrassed about a mistake they made at work. If they say “estoy embarazada,” their boss might be very confused and assume they are pregnant.
2. Actual
In English, we use this word to mean “real” or “genuine.” However, in Spanish, it means “current” or “up-to-date.”
So if you say “Esta comida es muy actual,” a Spanish speaker will be confused because you’re saying “This food is very current,” when you actually mean to say “This food is very authentic.”
3. Asistir
While this word looks like “assist” in English, it actually means “to attend” in Spanish. This false friend could cause confusion in situations where someone is trying to say they will help with something, but instead, they use “asistir” and end up saying they will attend the event.
For example, imagine a non-native Spanish speaker is asked if they can help set up chairs for a meeting. They might say “Sí, puedo asistir” thinking they are saying “Yes, I can assist.” However, the word “asistir” actually means “to attend,” so they are saying “Yes, I can attend” instead.
4. Sensible
In English, this word means “reasonable” or “logical.” In Spanish, it means “sensitive.” This false friend could cause confusion in situations where someone is trying to express that something is logical or makes sense, but instead, they use “sensible” and end up saying something about emotions or feelings.
For example, imagine a non-native Spanish speaker is trying to talk about a logical decision they made at work. They might say “Es una decisión muy sensible” thinking they are saying “It’s a very logical decision.” However, the word “sensible” actually means “sensitive,” so they are saying “It’s a very sensitive decision” instead.
5. Compromiso
In English, we use this word to mean “commitment.” However, in Spanish, it means “obligation” or “responsibility.” This false friend could cause confusion in situations where someone is trying to talk about a commitment they have made, but instead, they use “compromiso” and end up talking about an obligation.
For example, imagine a non-native Spanish speaker is trying to tell their Spanish-speaking partner that they are committed to the relationship. They might say “Tengo un gran compromiso contigo” thinking they are saying “I have a great commitment to you.” However, the word “compromiso” actually means “obligation,” so they are saying “I have a great obligation to you” instead.
6. Carpeta
In Spanish, “carpeta” means “folder” or “file,” while in English, “carpet” is a floor covering.
For example, in a domestic setting, a Spanish-speaking person might ask their English-speaking housemate to clean the “carpeta” without realizing that they are using the wrong word. If the English-speaking person assumes they mean “carpet,” they may start vacuuming the floor covering, rather than cleaning the file folder, which could result in a messy and awkward situation.
7. Éxito
This word means “success” in Spanish, not “exit” as it might appear. This false friend could cause confusion in situations where someone is trying to talk about leaving a place, but instead, they use “éxito” and end up talking about success.
For example, imagine a non-native Spanish speaker is trying to tell their Spanish-speaking colleague that they are leaving the office. They might say “Voy a tomar el éxito” thinking they are saying “I’m going to take the exit.” However, the word “éxito” actually means “success,” so they are saying “I’m going to take the success” instead.
8. Librería
This word means “bookstore” in Spanish, not “library” as it might appear. This false friend could cause confusion in situations where someone is trying to talk about borrowing a book, but instead, they use “librería” and end up talking about a bookstore.
For example, imagine a non-native Spanish speaker is trying to ask their Spanish-speaking friend if they can borrow a book from the library. They might say “¿Dónde está la librería?” thinking they are saying “Where is the library?” However, the word “librería” actually means “bookstore,” so they are saying “Where is the bookstore?” instead.
Say Adiós to False Friends: Learn Spanish in Barcelona with Confidence
In a nutshell, false friends in Spanish-English can make language learning an amusing and sometimes frustrating experience. But fear not! With our TEFL courses in Spain and Spanish language lessons, you can learn how to avoid making these mistakes and communicate with ease in no time.
So, come to beautiful Barcelona and immerse yourself in the language and culture while learning from experienced and passionate teachers. You’ll have a blast and never have to worry about telling your Spanish-speaking friends that you’re pregnant instead of embarrassed, or that you manufacture your own clothes in a factory instead of making them yourself.
Don’t let false friends ruin your language-learning journey. Join us in Barcelona and take the first step towards fluency!
Teacher Little Mary
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