We hope that the following list of Spanish false cognates (also known as "false friends") will help you while you are trying to learn Spanish. You can practice many of these words and expressions in the advanced level of the Spanish Whiz program. Please be sure to take a look at the rest of our website for more information.
List of Spanish False Cognates (A - C)
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Actualmente - Actually
Actualmente (Span.) = Currently, presently
Example:
(Span.) El Sr. Zapatero es actualmente el presidente del gobierno.
(Eng.) Mr. Zapatero is currently the president of the government.
Actually (Eng.) = en realidad
Example:
(Eng.) He is actually embarrassed about what he said.
(Span.) En realidad se siente avergonzado por lo que dijo.
Advertencia - Advertisement
Advertencia (Span.) = warning or piece of advice
Example:
(Span.) Ponen advertencias sobre los peligros para la salud en los paquetes de tabaco.
(Eng.) They put health warnings on cigarrette packs.
Advertisement (Eng.) = anuncio
Example:
(Eng.) Vi un anuncio interesante anoche en la televisión.
(Span.) Last night I saw an interesting advertisement on television.
Asistir - Assist
Asistir (Span.) = attend
Example:
(Span.) 50 personas asistieron a la reunión.
(Eng.) 50 people attended the meeting.
Assist (Eng.) = ayudar
Example:
(Eng.) The firemen assisted all of those affected by the fire.
(Span.) Los bomberos ayudaron a todos los afectados por el incendio.
Blanco - Blank
Blanco = white
Example:
(Span.) Mi coche es blanco.
(Eng.) My car is white.
Blank = en blanco
Example:
(Eng.) My mind is blank - I can't think of anything.
(Span.) Estoy en blanco - no se me ocurre nada.
Campo - Camp
Campo = country(side)
Example:
(Span.) Mis tíos viven en el campo.
(Eng.) My aunt and uncle live in the country.
Camp = campamento
Example:
(Eng.) Me gustaba mucho el campamento de verano cuando era joven.
(Span.) I loved the summer camp when I was young.
Carpeta - Carpet
Carpeta = file, folder, portfolio
Example:
(Span.) Tengo mis papeles aquí en una carpeta.
(Eng.) I have my papers here in a file / folder / portfolio.
Carpet = alfombra
Example:
(Eng.) We bought a nice Persian carpet for 1000 dollars.
(Span.) Compramos una bonita alfombra persa por 1000 dólares.
Complexión - Complexion
Complexión = physical build
Example:
(Span.) Pepe es de complexión fuerte.
(Eng.) Pepe is heavily built.
Complexion = color de la piel
Example:
(Eng.) She has a light complexion.
(Span.) Ella tiene la piel clara.
Compromiso - Compromise
Compromiso = an obligation, promise, or agreement
Example:
(Span.) No podré ayudarte hoy porque tengo varios compromisos.
(Eng.) I can't help you today because I have several things I have to do.
Compromise = concesiones recíprocas (un acuerdo)
Example:
(Eng.) The political parties reached a compromise on the issue.
(Span.) Los partidos políticos llegaron a un acuerdo sobre el asunto.
Contestar - Contest
Contestar(Span.) = answer, reply
Example:
(Span.) Me contestaron después de tres días.
(Eng.) They answered me three days later.
Contest (Eng.) = disputar
Example:
(Eng.) They contested his claim.
(Span.) Disputaron su petición.
Corresponder - Correspond
Corresponder (Span.) = match
Example:
(Span.) Sus gustos corresponden con los míos.
(Eng.) His tastes match mine.
Correspond (Eng.) = escribirse
Example:
(Eng.) Nos escribimos dos veces al mes.
(Span.) We write each other twice a month.
Chocar - Choke
Chocar = crash (into)
Example:
(Span.) Los dos coches chocaron pero nadie se hizo daño.
(Eng.) The two cars crashed but no one was injured.
Choke = atragantarse
Example:
(Eng.) He almost choked when he was having dinner.
(Span.) El casí se atragantó mientras cenaba.
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