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What are some common false friends between Italian and Spanish visualisation

What are some common false friends between Italian and Spanish

False friends when learning Italian: What are some common false friends between Italian and Spanish
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Here are some common false friends between Italian and Spanish — words that look or sound similar but have different meanings in each language:

  • Barato: In Spanish, it means “cheap”; in Italian, it means “cheated” or “deceived.”
  • Burro: In Spanish, it means “donkey”; in Italian, it means “butter.”
  • Guardar (Spanish) vs. Guardare (Italian): Spanish “guardar” means “to keep” or “to guard,” while Italian “guardare” means “to look.”
  • Parar (Spanish) vs. Parare (Italian): Spanish “parar” means “to stop,” but Italian “parare” means “to adorn” or “to shield.”
  • Oficina (Spanish) vs. Officina (Italian): Spanish “oficina” means “office,” and Italian “officina” means “workshop.”
  • Pesca: In Spanish, it means “fishing”; in Italian, it usually means “peach,” although it can sometimes mean “fishing” depending on pronunciation.
  • Pronto: Spanish “pronto” means “soon,” while Italian “pronto” means “ready.”
  • Salir (Spanish) vs. Salire (Italian): Spanish “salir” means “to go out” or “to leave,” Italian “salire” means “to go up.”
  • Sembrare (Italian) means “to seem,” while Spanish “sembrar” means “to sow” (seeds).
  • Subir: Spanish “subir” means “to go up” or “to raise;” Italian “subire” means “to undergo” or “to endure.”
  • Tenere (Italian) means “to hold” or “to keep;” Spanish “tener” usually means “to have.”
  • Topo: Spanish “topo” means “mole” (the animal), Italian “topo” means “mouse.”
  • Tra (Italian) means “between” or “among,” Spanish “tras” means “after” or “beyond.”

These false friends can cause confusion for learners speaking both languages due to their close resemblance but differing meanings.

References

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