Who has been to a library and bought a book? Well, if you are a Spaniard learning English you probably have.
False friends or cognates are English words that look or sound similar to a Spanish word but have a totally different meaning. Here are some examples of false cognates:
http://www.developingteachers.com/tips/false_friends.htm
http://www.developingteachers.com/tips/false_friends.htm
Which false friend/s have you used again and again? Do you have an anecdote involving a false friend?
There are two false friends that crosses my mind right now :
ReplyDelete"preservative" : It's is a substance that is used for keeping food, etc. in good condition (conservante). In Spanish "preservativo" (condom).
"constipated" : Not able to empty waste from your body (estreñido). In Spanish "constipado" (to have a cold).
Another classic is: 'She's very happy because she's embarrassed. She's going to have a baby in June!'
ReplyDeleteSometimes I make a mess with sensitive (sensible) and sensible (sensato) because we use them also in Spanish. Normally I have stop to think about it!
ReplyDelete