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Learning a new language can be challenging, especially when some words look or sound similar across languages even though they have completely different meanings.
These words, referred to as false cognates or false friends, can lead to confusion and embarrassing mistakes for new learners.
In this article, we explore some common false cognates in Spanish and English, so you can avoid misunderstandings and speak English like a native!
As a Spanish speaker, you already know what embarazada means.
In English, however, the word embarrassed is used to describe the feeling of being uncomfortable or ashamed after making a mistake.
Example in English: I felt embarrassed when I dropped my food in the cafeteria.
While sopa in Spanish refers to a delicious bowl of soup, in English, soap is something completely different—it’s what we use for washing our hands and bodies.
If you ask for sopa in a restaurant where people speak English, they will be confused.
Make sure to use soap in the context of washing and soup when you're referring to food.
Example in English: I need to buy more soap for the guest bathroom.
In English, ropa sounds like rope, but they’re not related at all!
While ropa means clothes in Spanish, rope in English is what we use to tie or secure objects. Be careful not to ask for rope when you actually need clothes.
Example in English: Can you pass me the rope so I can tie this box?
You might see exit signs in English-speaking places, which tell you how to leave a building.
In Spanish, however, the similar-sounding éxito means success.
If you're talking about a victory or accomplishment in English, make sure to use success instead of exit.
Example in English: Please use the nearest exit in case of emergency.
In Spanish, realizar means to achieve something, but in English, realize means to understand something suddenly.
If you’re talking about accomplishing something in English, you use achieve. Realize is used when someone suddenly understands something.
Example in English: I just realized I forgot my keys at home!
In Spanish, asistir refers to attending an event, but in English, assist means to help someone.
If you're talking about being present for an occasion in English, use the word attend. If you’re offering help, you can use the word assist.
Example in English: Can you assist me with this project?
This is a very important word to get right. In English, molest refers to serious harm or abuse, whereas in Spanish, molestar simply means to bother someone.
Be careful using the word molest in English as it has a strong meaning and potential legal implications.
Example in English: The man was arrested for trying to molest a child.
Be careful with this one! In Spanish, constipado means you have a cold, but in English, constipated refers to a digestive issue - difficulty in passing stool.
If you tell someone in English, ‘I’m constipated’, they will take it to mean you’re talking about a bathroom problem.
Example in English: My stomach hurts because I’ve been constipated for three days.
A common mistake is thinking that librería in Spanish means library in English, but it doesn’t.
Librería is a bookstore where you go to buy books, whereas a library in English is a place where you borrow books for free or for a fee.
Example in English: I borrowed this book from the library.
In Spanish, sensible means someone is sensitive or emotional, but in English, sensible refers to someone who is practical or reasonable.
If you want to say someone is very emotional in English, you should use the word sensitive instead.
Example in English: It was a sensible decision to save money.
These words may look similar, but they are very different.
Advertencia in Spanish is a warning or alert, while an advertisement in English is used to promote something, like an ad on TV.
Example in English: I saw an advertisement for a new phone on TV.
Decepción in Spanish means feeling disappointed, while deception in English refers to the act of deceiving or lying to someone.
If you want to talk about the feeling of being let down in English, use disappointment.
Example in English: His deception caused a lot of problems in his marriage.
In Spanish, fábrica is where things are manufactured, while the English word fabric refers to materials used to make clothes or textiles.
Example in English: I need to buy some fabric for my sewing project
In Spanish, grosería refers to rude or offensive language, while grocery, in English, means food items or products sold in a store.
If you want to refer to buying food, use grocery in English. Be careful not to mix these two words up!
Example in English: I’m going to the grocery store to buy some food.
Learning English as a second language can be tricky, especially when false cognates lead to confusion. Words that look or sound similar often have completely different meanings, and understanding these differences is key to avoiding misunderstandings.
By mastering these tricky words, you’ll gain more confidence in your English vocabulary.
At Immigo, we specialize in helping learners navigate the challenges of speaking English fluently. Our tailored English sessions are designed to help you improve fluency, avoid common mistakes, and speak English with ease.
Ready to take the next step in your English journey? Explore our classes today!
