Avoiding Embarrassing Mistakes: Common False Friends in Spanish
Learning Spanish as an adult can be an exciting journey. However, one of the trickiest parts is learning to trust (or rather, not trust) words that look familiar. These little traps are called “false friends,” and they can easily turn a simple conversation into a comedy of errors. Imagine telling someone you’re “embarazada” when you’re just a little embarrassed. Oops, you’ve just announced that you’re pregnant!
False friends or cognates can lead to confusion, awkward situations, and even misunderstandings.
But don’t worry. By the end of this blog post, you’ll be able to spot these tricky word pairs and use them correctly with confidence.
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What Are False Friends?
In language learning, false friends / false cognates (or “falsos amigos” in Spanish) are words that look or sound similar in two languages but have very different meanings. They can be misleading because your brain sees a familiar word and jumps to the wrong conclusion.
Think of it like seeing someone at a party who looks just like your cousin. You wave, smile, even start chatting, only to realize it’s a total stranger!
False friends work the same way. They seem familiar, but they’re not who you think they are.
Why Are False Friends Tricky?
Spanish and English share many roots from Latin, so it’s normal to see similar-looking words. Sometimes, these words are true cognates (like “animal” and “animal“), but false friends hide among them, waiting to trip you up.
If you’re just starting to learn Spanish, it’s easy to assume that if a word looks like English, it must mean the same thing. This assumption can cause big misunderstandings.
Tip: When in doubt, double-check the meaning using reliable resources like SpanishPod101 or SpanishDictionary.com.
Common False Friends You Need to Know
Here’s a handy chart of 15 common false friends. Learn these, and you’ll dodge some of the most common mistakes.
| Spanish Word | What It Looks Like (English) | What It Actually Means | Example Sentence |
| Ropa | Rope | Clothes | Me gusta comprar ropa nueva. (I like buying new clothes.) |
| Éxito | Exit | Success | El éxito requiere esfuerzo. (Success requires effort.) |
| Asistir | Assist | Attend | Voy a asistir a la reunión. (I’m going to attend the meeting.) |
| Sensible | Sensible | Sensitive | Ella es muy sensible a las críticas. (She is very sensitive to criticism.) |
| Realizar | Realize | Carry out | Voy a realizar el proyecto mañana. (I will carry out the project tomorrow.) |
| Embarazada | Embarrassed | Pregnant | Ella está embarazada. (She is pregnant.) |
| Sopa | Soap | Soup | La sopa está caliente. (The soup is hot.) |
| Largo | Large | Long | El río es muy largo. (The river is very long.) |
| Fabrica | Fabric | Factory | Trabajo en una fábrica. (I work in a factory.) |
| Carpeta | Carpet | Folder | Guarda el papel en la carpeta. (Put the paper in the folder.) |
| Colegio | College | School. | Mi hijo va al colegio. (My son goes to School.) |
| Molestar | Molest | Bother | No quiero molestarte. (I don’t want to bother you.) |
| Constipado | Constipated | Have a cold | Estoy constipado. (I have a cold.) |
| Actual | Actual | Current | La situación actual es difícil. (The current situation is difficult.) |
Why Do We Make These Mistakes?
- Latin Roots: Spanish and English share many Latin-based words.
- Overconfidence: It’s easy to assume that similar-looking words have the same meanings.
- Fast Thinking: Our brains want to speed things up and fill in gaps based on familiar patterns.
Tip: Slow down when you encounter a familiar-looking Spanish word. Double-check it if you’re not 100% sure!
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
- Mistake: Assuming “embarazada” means embarrassed.
- Fix: Learn “avergonzado” for embarrassed.
- Mistake: Thinking “asistir” means to assist.
- Fix: Use “ayudar” for assist.
- Mistake: Believing “sensible” means sensible.
- Fix: Know that “sensible” in Spanish is sensitive; “sensato” means sensible.
- Mistake: Mixing up “constipado” and “constipated.”
- Fix: Learn “estreñido” for constipated.
- Mistake: Calling a school “college.”
- Fix: “Colegio” = School, “universidad” = university/college.
Pro tip: Keep a small notebook or a digital note to record new false friends as you encounter them.
Mini Practice Section
Fill in the blanks with the correct Spanish word:
- No quiero ____________ a mi jefe durante su almuerzo. (to bother)
- Ella está ____________; espera su primer bebé. (pregnant)
- Mañana voy a ____________ al concierto. (attend)
- Estoy ____________ y no puedo respirar bien. (cold)
- El proyecto fue ____________ con éxito. (carried out)
Answer Key:
- molestar
- embarazada
- asistir
- constipado
- realizado
Exceptions and Edge Cases
Some false friends behave differently depending on context. For example:
- Actual can mean “real” in rare, formal uses (“actual facts”), but most of the time it’s better understood as “current.”
- Colegio can also mean “college” in some Latin American countries; always consider regional variations.
Tip: Context matters! Always pay attention to how native speakers use a word.
Conclusion
False friends can be confusing, but now you know how to spot them! By being aware of these common pitfalls, you’ll communicate more clearly and avoid those embarrassing slip-ups.
Language learning is a journey full of little victories like mastering tricky words. Celebrate each one! If you’re ready to take the next step and practice with a friendly, native-speaking teacher, why not try a free class with Homeschool Spanish Academy? We’re 100% online, offer flexible scheduling, and have a curriculum designed just for adult learners like you.
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