False friends for English speakers
Words that look like English words but mean something else.
| Spanish | Means | Doesn't mean |
|---|---|---|
| embarazada | pregnant | embarrassed (= avergonzado/a) |
| constipado | having a cold | constipated (= estreñido) |
| éxito | success | exit (= salida) |
| carpeta | folder | carpet (= alfombra) |
| actual / actualmente | current / currently | actual / actually (= real / en realidad) |
| librería | bookshop | library (= biblioteca) |
| realizar | carry out, achieve | realise (= darse cuenta) |
| asistir a | attend | assist (= ayudar) |
| sensible | sensitive | sensible (= sensato) |
| molestar | bother, annoy | molest (= abusar de) |
| recordar | remember, remind | record (= grabar) |
- Estoy constipado, tengo tos y fiebre.I've got a cold, a cough and a temperature.
- Actualmente trabajo en una librería.I currently work in a bookshop.
Test yourself
-
What does «Está embarazada» mean?
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She's pregnant. -
How do you say «library»?
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biblioteca -
What does «actualmente» mean?
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currently, at present -
How do you say «I realised»?
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Me di cuenta.