False cognates

FALSE COGNATES

False cognates

False cognates are words similar in English and Spanish but they have different meaning.

Example in a sentence

The following sentence is written in Spanish, read it:

"Actualmente estamos muy ocupados."

Which word would you use to translate "actualmente" in English? Currently or actually?

The correct word is "currently", and it is an adverb.

The word "actually" means "in fact", so it is a clear example of a false cognate.

Another example

Sentence written in Spanish, read it:

"Enviaré el resumen del proyecto esta tarde."

Which word would you use to translate "resumen" in English? Resume or summary?

The correct word is "summary".

The word "resume" is like the "CV" in Spanish.

Examples of false cognates

VS

Quit

Quit

Remove

Leave (a habit, a place)

Quit

Mayor

Mayor

Older/Higher

A person in charge of a city

Mayor

Realize

to do something

Realize

to understand

Realize

Attend

to help somebody (in a store for example)

Attend

to be in a place

Attend

Assist

be in a place

Assist

to help somebody

Assist

Library

a place where you buy books

Library

the place where you can borrow books

Library

Actually

Actually

at present

Actually

really

Idiom

Idiom

A language

Idiom

a expression in language

Exit

Exit

success

Exit

a way out of a public building, room, etc.

Deception

Deception

disappointment

Deception

when you lie to somebody

Brave

Brave

angry/wild

somebody that doesn't feel fear

Brave

Arm

Arm

a gun

Arm

a part of the body

Parents

Parents

cousins, uncles, aunts, etc.

Parents

both mother and father

College

a private school

College

when you study in a university

College

Embarrassed

Embarrassed

pregnant

Embarrassed

ashamed

Rope

Rope

clothes

something with which you can tie

Rope

Notice

Notice

news item

Notice

to know something

Sensible

Sensible

about feelings

Sensible

reasonable

Carpet

Carpet

a folder

Carpet

bigger than a rug

Preservative

a condom

Preservative

Preservative

something to make food last longer

Resume

summarize

resume

resume

personal paper orgo on

False Cognates are also called “False Friends”

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