False friends
Posted: Sun Oct 30, 2011 6:58 pmSome of the false friends I work with my secondary students are the following:
Exit – This word is English means ‘the way out of somewhere’, whereas in Spanish the meaning is the equivalent to ‘success’, that’s ‘éxito’.
Success – In English this word is related to fame and money, and to get what you want in life, but in Spanish we have the word ’suceso’ which means ‘event’.
Constipated – My students love this word as they find the meaning of this word in English quite fun. In Spanish the word ‘costipado’ means ‘to have a cold, and in English it means something related to health, but not with having a cold. Its meaning makes reference to the fact that you have some difficulties to go to the bathroom.
Actually – The word ‘actual’ in Spanish means something modern, but in English it is an adverb referring to reality.
Embarrassed – In English it means ‘to be ashamed’, but in Spanish we have the word ‘embarazada’ which is ‘pregnant’.
Carpet – In Spanish the word ‘carpeta’ means ‘a folder’ and in English it is like a big mat that covers the floor of rooms.
Exit – This word is English means ‘the way out of somewhere’, whereas in Spanish the meaning is the equivalent to ‘success’, that’s ‘éxito’.
Success – In English this word is related to fame and money, and to get what you want in life, but in Spanish we have the word ’suceso’ which means ‘event’.
Constipated – My students love this word as they find the meaning of this word in English quite fun. In Spanish the word ‘costipado’ means ‘to have a cold, and in English it means something related to health, but not with having a cold. Its meaning makes reference to the fact that you have some difficulties to go to the bathroom.
Actually – The word ‘actual’ in Spanish means something modern, but in English it is an adverb referring to reality.
Embarrassed – In English it means ‘to be ashamed’, but in Spanish we have the word ‘embarazada’ which is ‘pregnant’.
Carpet – In Spanish the word ‘carpeta’ means ‘a folder’ and in English it is like a big mat that covers the floor of rooms.