Most confusing false cognates in Spanish

What are some false cognates in Spanish?

A cognate is a word that sounds very similar in two different languages. Often times, a person unfamiliar with one of the languages could easily guess the meaning of the word just by hearing or reading it. Sometimes, a word is a cognate because it’s origin is the other language. Sometimes, both languages have roots in the same, third language. Rarely, it’s just a weird coincidence that the two different languages share such a similar word! Either way, it’s a welcome occurrence for someone trying to learn a new language to hear something familiar.

Sometimes, however, that seemingly familiar word is a trap! A false cognate is a word that sounds like it should be the same, but actually means something different entirely. These false cognates can often get new Spanish learners into trouble. One of the most famous (or perhaps infamous) examples of a false cognate in Spanish is embarasada. Many novice Spanish speakers misuse this word, thinking that it means embarrassed. They will be embarrassed when they learn what it really means, though: pregnant!

Estoy embarasada: careful, it’s not what you think it means!

Spanish false cognates

Spanish wordWhat you think it meansWhat it really means
actualactualcurrent
actualmenteactuallycurrently
advertenciaadvertisementwarning
agoníaagonydeath throes
apologíaapologydefense
arenaarenasand
argumentoargumentreasoning
asesinoassassinmurderer
asistenciaassistanceattendance
asistirto assistto attend
bachilleratobachelorhigh school
billónbilliontrillion
bizarrobizarrevaliant
blancoblankwhite
blindarto blindto shield
bufetebuffetdesk
campocampcountryside
cargocargopost
carpetacarpetfolder
carreracareermajor
cartacartletter
chocarto choketo crash
colegiocollegehigh school
coloradocoloredred
complexióncomplexiontemperament
compromisocompromisecommitment
conductorconductordriver
constipaciónconstipationa cold
contestarto contestto answer
cultoculteducated
damnificadodamnedvictim
decepcióndeceptiondisappointment
decepcionarto deceiveto disappoint
delitodelightcrime
desgraciadisgraceaccident
despertardesperateto wake up
destituidodestitutedismissed
discutirto discussto debate
echarto echoto throw
educacióneducationupbringing
educadoeducatedpolite
elevadorelevatorhoist
embarazadaembarrassedpregnant
emocionanteemotionalexciting
enviarenvysend
eventualeventualpossible
excitarto exciteto excite sexually
éxitoexitsuccess
fábricafabricfactory
faltafaultlack
fastidiosofastidiousannoying
firmafirmsignature
fútbolfootballsoccer
grabarto grabto save
graciosograciousfunny
groseríagrocery/groceriesrudeness
humorhumormood
idiomaidiomlanguage
ignorarto ignoreto be unaware of
introducirintroduceinsert
jubilaciónjubilationretirement
largolargelong
lecturalecturereading material
letraletterlyrics
libreríalibrarybookstore
lujurialuxurylust
mamamotherbreast
marcamarkbrand
masamass (at church)dough
mayormayorolder
molestarto molestto annoy
negocionegotiationbusiness
nombrenumbername; noun
noticianoticenews
onceonceeleven
panpanbread
papafatherpotato
parienteparentclose relative
piepiefoot
plagioplagueplagiarism
preservativopreservativecondom
pretenderto pretendto claim
procurarto procureto manage
quitarto quitto take away
rapistarapistbarber
realrealroyal
realizarto realizeto fulfill
recetareceiptrecipe
recolecciónrecollectionharvest
recordarto recordto remember
redrednetwork
restarto restto subtract
revolverrevolverto turn over
roparopeclothing
salariosalaryhourly wages
sanosanehealthy
sensiblesensiblesensitive
sobresoberon
sopasoapsoup
soportarto supportto bear

100 False Spanish cognates

This sort of confusing false cognate can easily trip up a novice or intermediate language learner. If you’re trying to learn Spanish, it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with some of the most commonly used words that are actually false cognates. That way, you can avoid potentially embarrassing miscommunications. Plus, you’ll be sure to impress by using these confusing words correctly.

There’s no need to spend a lot of time to memorize every false cognate at once. You’re sure to pick them up naturally as you learn more and more Spanish. Regardless, it’s worth breezing through this list to at least give yourself a passing familiarity with some words that could trip you up. You may save yourself a lot of trouble in the future!

Did you know? False cognates are sometimes called “falsos amigos” in Spanish (“false friends”). To a new Spanish learner, they can seem like your friend. But they’re not!

Frequently asked questions about false cognates in Spanish

What are the 3 types of cognates?

There are three main types of cognates:

  • Two words that are spelled exactly identically.
  • Words that are spelled only slightly differently (for example, “restaurante/restaurant”). It is easy to identify this type of cognate whether you are reading or speaking aloud.
  • Words that are spelled very differently, yet sound similar (for example, “igual/equal”). These can sometimes be trickier to spot unless you actually pronounce them aloud.

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Most confusing false cognates in Spanish
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Most confusing false cognates in Spanish
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A false cognate is a word that sounds like it should be the same, but actually means something different entirely. These false cognates can often get new Spanish learners into trouble.
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