Skip to content
What are some common false friends between English and Spanish visualisation

What are some common false friends between English and Spanish

False friends when learning English: What are some common false friends between English and Spanish
Learn with Comprenders App About Comprenders

False friends, or “falsos amigos,” are words in English and Spanish that look or sound similar but have different meanings, often leading to confusion. Here are some common examples:

  1. Molestar vs. Molest

    • In Spanish, molestar means “to bother” or “to annoy,” while in English, molest refers to sexual harassment or abuse 1.

  2. Embarazada vs. Embarrassed

    • Embarazada in Spanish means “pregnant,” whereas embarrassed in English means feeling ashamed or self-conscious 1, 2.

  3. Sensible vs. Sensible

    • In Spanish, sensible means “sensitive,” referring to emotional responsiveness. In English, sensible describes someone practical or reasonable 2.

  4. Carpeta vs. Carpet

    • Carpeta in Spanish is a “folder” for papers, while carpet in English refers to a floor covering 2, 4.

  5. Compromiso vs. Compromise

    • In Spanish, compromiso means “commitment” or “obligation,” whereas in English, compromise refers to reaching an agreement by mutual concessions 2.

  6. Ropa vs. Rope

    • Ropa in Spanish means “clothes,” while rope in English is a strong cord used for tying things 2.

  7. Éxito vs. Exit

    • In Spanish, éxito means “success,” while in English, exit refers to a way out of a place 10.

  8. Realizar vs. Realize

    • Realizar in Spanish means “to carry out” or “to achieve,” whereas realize in English means to become aware of something 5.

  9. Constipado vs. Constipated

    • In Spanish, constipado refers to having a cold (nasal congestion), while in English, it means suffering from constipation 9.

  10. Largo vs. Large

    • In Spanish, largo means “long” (length), whereas in English, it refers to something big in size 5, 9.

  11. Parientes vs. Parents

    • In Spanish, parientes means “relatives,” not specifically parents as it does in English 9.

  12. Sopa vs. Soap

    • Sopa in Spanish is “soup,” while soap in English is a substance for washing 2.

  13. Tuna vs. Tuna

    • In Spanish, tuna refers to a cactus fruit (prickly pear), while in English it is a type of fish 2.

  14. Empresa vs. Empress

    • In Spanish, empresa means “company” or “business,” while an empress is the female ruler of an empire 10.

  15. Enviar vs. Envy

    • In Spanish, enviar means “to send,” whereas envy refers to jealousy or desire for something another person has 10.

Understanding these distinctions can help learners avoid misunderstandings and communicate effectively!

References

Open the App About Comprenders