In Spanish there are many false cognates – words that look the same as an English word but they have a completely different meaning. This can be confusing and may lead to misunderstanding. Here are the most commonly used “false friends” to watch out for.
1. actual in Spanish means current/present. (To say “actual” in Spanish, use real / verdadero)
2. asistir = to attend NOT to assist (ayudar)
3. atender = to take care of/attend to NOT to attend (asistir)
4. bizarro = brave NOT bizarre/strange (raro / extraño)
5. boda = wedding NOT body (cuerpo)
6. carpeta = file/folder NOT carpet (alfombra / moqueta)
7. conductor = driver NOT conductor (cobrador)
8. constipado = to have a cold NOT constipated (estreñido)
9. contestar = to answer NOT to contest (contender)
10. decepción = disappointment NOT deception (engaño)
11. delito = crime NOT delight (delicia / placer)
12. disgusto = displeasure/upset NOT disgust (asco)
13. embarazada = pregnant NOT embarrassed (darse vergüenza)
14. emocionante = exciting NOT emotional (emocional)
15. en absoluto = not at all/absolutely not NOT absolutely (completamente)
16. éxito = success NOT exit (salida)
17. fábrica = factory NOT fabric (tela / tejido)
18. ganga = bargain NOT gang (pandilla)
19. gracioso = funny NOT gracious (elegante / cortés)
20. largo = long NOT large (grande)
21. molestar = to bother/annoy NOT to molest (abusar)
22. once = eleven NOT once (una vez)
23. pretender = to try NOT to pretend (fingir)
24. real = royal NOT real (verdadero / auténtico)
25. realizar = to carry out/to complete NOT to realise (darse cuenta)
26. recordar = to remember/remind NOT to record (grabar) [for audio/video] or (anotar) [writing]
27. ropa = clothing NOT rope (cuerda or soga)
28. sano = healthy NOT sane (en su juicio)
29. sensible = sensitive NOT sensible (sensato/a)
30. sopa = soup NOT soap (jabón)
31. suceso = an event/happening NOT success (éxito)