Spanish False Friends List: 60 Tricky English Look-Alikes
Learn what they are, why they trip you up, and the exact word you meant to say. (Yes, embarazada is in here. Don’t panic.)
False friends are Spanish words that look like English words but mean something different. They’re the reason you can say a perfectly normal sentence… and accidentally announce something wildly untrue.
This page gives you 60 high-impact false friends in Spanish (Mexican Spanish-friendly), plus real sentences and quick “say this instead” fixes.
Yak Box: What False Friends Are (And How To Beat Them)
- They look familiar. Your brain goes “I know that!” and guesses the English meaning.
- They’re sneaky. You can sound fluent while saying the wrong thing.
- They’re beatable. Learn them as pairs: false friend → real meaning → the word you actually wanted.
Quick strategy: when a Spanish word looks “too English,” pause for one second and ask, “Is this a trap?”
Jump around: Top Traps Cards · Useful Rescue Phrases · Fix-It-Fast Table · Mega Tables (All 60) · Practice
Top Traps Cards
If you only learn a few today, learn these. They cause the biggest “wait… what?” moments.
Embarazada
Means: pregnant (NOT embarrassed).
If you mean “embarrassed”: avergonzado/a.
Example: Ella está embarazada. (She’s pregnant.)
Actualmente
Means: currently (NOT actually).
If you mean “actually”: en realidad / de verdad.
Example: Actualmente vivo en Guadalajara. (I currently live in Guadalajara.)
Asistir
Means: to attend (NOT to assist/help).
If you mean “help”: ayudar / echar la mano.
Example: Voy a asistir a la reunión. (I’m going to attend the meeting.)
Éxito
Means: success (NOT exit).
If you mean “exit”: salida.
Example: ¡Mucho éxito! (Good luck / lots of success!)
Biblioteca
Means: library (NOT bookstore).
If you mean “bookstore”: librería.
Example: Estudio en la biblioteca. (I study at the library.)
Sensible
Means: sensitive (NOT sensible).
If you mean “sensible”: sensato/a.
Example: Soy sensible al ruido. (I’m sensitive to noise.)
Soportar
Means: to tolerate / put up with (NOT to support).
If you mean “support”: apoyar.
Example: No lo soporto. (I can’t stand him/it.)
Ropa
Means: clothes (NOT rope).
If you mean “rope”: cuerda / soga.
Example: Necesito lavar la ropa. (I need to wash clothes.)
Useful Rescue Phrases (When You’re Not Sure)
These save you in real conversations when a word looks suspiciously English.
- ¿Qué significa “_____”? (What does “_____” mean?)
- ¿Cómo se dice “_____” en español? (How do you say “_____” in Spanish?)
- ¿“_____” es lo mismo que “_____”? (Is “_____” the same as “_____”?)
- ¿Quieres decir _____? (Do you mean _____?)
- Creo que esa palabra es una trampa. (I think that word is a trap.)
- ¿Me lo explicas con otras palabras? (Can you explain it with other words?)
- O sea, ¿_____? (So, you mean _____?)
- ¿Es formal o casual? (Is it formal or casual?)
- ¿Se usa en México? (Do people use it in Mexico?)
- Ah, ya entendí. (Ah, I get it.)
- Perdón, me confundí. (Sorry, I got confused.)
- Gracias por corregirme. (Thanks for correcting me.)
Fix-It-Fast: What You Meant vs. The Trap Word
Here are the classic “English brain” mistakes and the quick repair.
| English Word You Mean | Don’t Use (False Friend) | Say This In Spanish |
|---|---|---|
| actually | actualmente | en realidad / de verdad |
| assist (help) | asistir | ayudar / echar la mano |
| embarrassed | embarazada | avergonzado/a |
| rope | ropa | cuerda / soga |
| carpet | carpeta | alfombra |
| bookstore | biblioteca | librería |
| exit | éxito | salida |
| support | soportar | apoyar |
| pretend | pretender | fingir |
| record (video/audio) | recordar | grabar |
| resume (continue) | resumir | reanudar / continuar |
| lecture | lectura | conferencia / clase |
Mega Tables: All 60 Spanish False Friends
Each row gives you the real meaning, the common trap, and a clean “use this instead” sentence.
Everyday Places & Stuff
| Spanish | English Meaning | Example 1 | Example 2 | Example 3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| actualmente | Currently (NOT “actually” = en realidad / de verdad). | Actualmente trabajo desde casa. (I currently work from home.) | ✗ “Actually” is not actualmente. | En realidad, hoy no trabajo. (Actually, I’m not working today.) |
| aviso | Notice / warning (NOT “advice” = consejo). | Hay un aviso en la puerta. (There’s a notice on the door.) | ✗ Advice ≠ aviso. | Gracias por el consejo. (Thanks for the advice.) |
| biblioteca | Library (NOT bookstore = librería). | Voy a la biblioteca a estudiar. (I’m going to the library to study.) | ✗ Bookstore ≠ biblioteca. | Compré el libro en la librería. (I bought the book at the bookstore.) |
| librería | Bookstore (NOT library = biblioteca). | La librería abre a las diez. (The bookstore opens at ten.) | ✗ Library ≠ librería. | El libro está en la biblioteca. (The book is in the library.) |
| colegio | School (often private) (NOT college = universidad / la uni). | Mi hijo va al colegio. (My son goes to school.) | ✗ College ≠ colegio. | Estudio en la universidad. (I study at the university.) |
| carpeta | Folder / binder (NOT carpet = alfombra). | Guarda los papeles en la carpeta. (Put the papers in the folder.) | ✗ Carpet ≠ carpeta. | La alfombra está sucia. (The carpet is dirty.) |
| carta | Letter / (often) menu (NOT card = tarjeta). | Le escribí una carta a mi abuela. (I wrote my grandma a letter.) | In restaurants: La carta can be the menu. | Pagué con tarjeta. (I paid with a card.) |
| bodega | Warehouse / storage room (NOT “boutique” = boutique / tienda). | Las cajas están en la bodega. (The boxes are in the storage room.) | In English “bodega” can mean a small store; Spanish often means storage. | Compré ropa en una tienda. (I bought clothes in a shop.) |
| reunión | Meeting (NOT “reunion” = reencuentro). | Tengo una reunión a las tres. (I have a meeting at three.) | ✗ A reunion (getting together again) is reencuentro. | El reencuentro fue increíble. (The reunion was amazing.) |
| corredor | Runner / broker (NOT corridor/hallway = pasillo). | Mi hermano es corredor. (My brother is a runner.) | ✗ Hallway ≠ corredor. | El baño está al final del pasillo. (The bathroom is at the end of the hallway.) |
| conductor | Driver (NOT orchestra conductor = director de orquesta). | El conductor del taxi fue amable. (The taxi driver was nice.) | Music conductor = director de orquesta. | El director de orquesta saludó al público. (The conductor greeted the audience.) |
| lectura | Reading (NOT “lecture” = conferencia / clase). | La lectura de hoy es corta. (Today’s reading is short.) | ✗ Lecture ≠ lectura. | La conferencia empieza a las cinco. (The lecture starts at five.) |
Verbs That Trick You
| Spanish | English Meaning | Example 1 | Example 2 | Example 3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| asistir | To attend (NOT to assist/help = ayudar). | Voy a asistir a la clase. (I’m going to attend the class.) | ✗ “Help” is usually ayudar. | ¿Me puedes ayudar? (Can you help me?) |
| atender | To take care of / to serve (NOT “attend an event” = asistir). | El doctor me atendió rápido. (The doctor saw me quickly.) | For events: use asistir. | ¿Vas a asistir a la boda? (Are you going to attend the wedding?) |
| contestar | To answer (NOT “to contest” = disputar / impugnar). | ¿Me puedes contestar? (Can you answer me?) | ✗ “Contest” (challenge legally) is not contestar. | Van a impugnar la multa. (They’re going to contest the fine.) |
| discutir | To argue (often) / to discuss (careful!) If you mean calm “discuss”: hablar / conversar. | Siempre discuten por dinero. (They always argue about money.) | Want it neutral? Use hablar. | Podemos hablar del plan mañana. (We can discuss the plan tomorrow.) |
| realizar | To carry out / accomplish (NOT “realize” = darse cuenta). | Vamos a realizar el proyecto. (We’re going to carry out the project.) | ✗ “I realized” = me di cuenta. | Me di cuenta tarde. (I realized it late.) |
| recordar | To remember (NOT “to record” = grabar). | No recuerdo su nombre. (I don’t remember his name.) | ✗ Record video/audio = grabar. | Voy a grabar un video. (I’m going to record a video.) |
| resumir | To summarize (NOT “resume/continue” = reanudar / continuar). | ¿Puedes resumir la película? (Can you summarize the movie?) | ✗ “Resume later” = reanudar. | Vamos a reanudar la reunión. (Let’s resume the meeting.) |
| retirar | To withdraw / remove / pick up (NOT “retire” = jubilarse). | Voy a retirar dinero del cajero. (I’m going to withdraw money from the ATM.) | Retire from work = jubilarse. | Mi papá se jubiló el año pasado. (My dad retired last year.) |
| introducir | To insert / bring in (NOT “introduce someone” = presentar). | Introduce la tarjeta aquí. (Insert the card here.) | People: use presentar. | Te presento a mi amiga Ana. (Let me introduce you to my friend Ana.) |
| pretender | To intend / try / claim (NOT “pretend” = fingir). | No pretendo ofenderte. (I don’t intend to offend you.) | ✗ Pretend = fingir. | Está fingiendo que no sabe. (He’s pretending he doesn’t know.) |
| solicitar | To request / apply for (NOT “solicit” in the creepy/illegal sense). | Voy a solicitar una cita. (I’m going to request an appointment.) | “Solicit/harass” = acosar. | No la acoses. (Don’t harass her.) |
| aplicar | To apply (a product/rule) (NOT always “apply for” — better: solicitar). | Aplica la crema dos veces al día. (Apply the cream twice a day.) | Jobs/scholarships: often solicitar. | Voy a solicitar el trabajo. (I’m going to apply for the job.) |
Feelings & Social Situations
| Spanish | English Meaning | Example 1 | Example 2 | Example 3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| embarazada | Pregnant (NOT embarrassed = avergonzado/a). | Ella está embarazada. (She’s pregnant.) | Embarrassed = avergonzado/a. | Estoy avergonzado. (I’m embarrassed.) |
| embarazoso/a | Embarrassing / awkward (NOT “pregnant”). | Qué momento tan embarazoso. (What an embarrassing moment.) | Pregnant = embarazada. | Mi prima está embarazada. (My cousin is pregnant.) |
| embarazar | To get someone pregnant / to hinder (NOT “embarrass” = avergonzar). | No quiero embarazar a nadie. (I don’t want to get anyone pregnant.) | Embarrass = avergonzar. | Me avergonzaste enfrente de todos. (You embarrassed me in front of everyone.) |
| comprometido/a | Engaged / committed (NOT “compromised”). | Estoy comprometida. (I’m engaged.) | Committed = comprometido can work too. | Estoy comprometido con el trabajo. (I’m committed to the job.) |
| compromiso | Commitment / appointment (NOT “compromise” = concesión / acuerdo). | Tengo un compromiso hoy. (I have an appointment/commitment today.) | Compromise (deal) = llegar a un acuerdo. | Podemos llegar a un acuerdo. (We can reach a compromise.) |
| sensible | Sensitive (NOT sensible = sensato/a). | Soy sensible a la crítica. (I’m sensitive to criticism.) | Sensible = sensato/a. | Fue una decisión sensata. (It was a sensible decision.) |
| soportar | To tolerate / put up with (NOT support = apoyar). | No soporto el calor. (I can’t stand the heat.) | Support (help) = apoyar. | Te apoyo al 100%. (I support you 100%.) |
| molestia | Annoyance / discomfort (NOT molestation). | Perdón la molestia. (Sorry for the bother.) | “Molestation/abuse” uses different words (serious topic). | Me causa mucha incomodidad. (It makes me very uncomfortable.) |
| molestar | To bother (NOT “to molest”). | No me molestes. (Don’t bother me.) | If you mean “annoy”: molestar works. | Me molesta el ruido. (The noise bothers me.) |
| ordinario/a | Vulgar / low-class / rude (NOT ordinary = normal / común). | Qué comentario tan ordinario. (What a vulgar comment.) | Ordinary = normal. | Es un día normal. (It’s a normal day.) |
| pariente | Relative (NOT parent = papá/mamá or padres). | Un pariente vive en Monterrey. (A relative lives in Monterrey.) | Parents = mis padres. | Mis padres viven aquí. (My parents live here.) |
| emocionante | Exciting / moving (NOT emotional = emocional). | La película fue emocionante. (The movie was exciting.) | Emotional = emocional. | Fue un momento muy emocional. (It was a very emotional moment.) |
Time, Numbers, Events, And Official Stuff
| Spanish | English Meaning | Example 1 | Example 2 | Example 3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| eventualmente | Possibly / occasionally / if needed (NOT “eventually” = finalmente / con el tiempo). | Eventualmente, podemos cambiar el plan. (If needed, we can change the plan.) | Eventually = finalmente. | Finalmente lo logré. (I eventually did it.) |
| una vez | Once = one time (NOT “once” as “formerly” in fancy English). | Fui a Oaxaca una vez. (I went to Oaxaca once.) | “Once” (one time) is super common in Spanish. | Solo lo vi una vez. (I only saw him once.) |
| once | Eleven (NOT “once” = una vez). | Son las once. (It’s eleven o’clock.) | Once (one time) = una vez. | Lo hice una vez. (I did it once.) |
| éxito | Success (NOT exit = salida). | Te deseo mucho éxito. (I wish you lots of success.) | Exit = salida. | La salida está a la derecha. (The exit is on the right.) |
| suceso | Event / incident (NOT success = éxito). | Fue un suceso inesperado. (It was an unexpected event.) | Success = éxito. | El proyecto fue un éxito. (The project was a success.) |
| suceder | To happen (NOT succeed = tener éxito / lograr). | ¿Qué sucedió? (What happened?) | Succeed = lograr / tener éxito. | Logró su meta. (He succeeded in his goal.) |
| delito | Crime (NOT delight = delicia). | Robar es un delito. (Stealing is a crime.) | Delight = una delicia. | Este postre es una delicia. (This dessert is a delight.) |
| desgracia | Misfortune / tragedy (NOT disgrace = vergüenza). | Fue una desgracia. (It was a tragedy.) | Disgrace = vergüenza. | Qué vergüenza. (What a disgrace / How embarrassing.) |
| firma | Signature (NOT firm/company = empresa). | Falta tu firma aquí. (Your signature is missing here.) | Firm/company = empresa. | Trabajo en una empresa grande. (I work at a big company.) |
| particular | Private / specific (NOT “particular” as “picky” = quisquilloso/a). | Tengo una pregunta particular. (I have a specific question.) | Private (not public) = privado can also fit. | Es una escuela privada. (It’s a private school.) |
| inconveniente | Problem / drawback (NOT “inconvenient” = incómodo). | Hay un inconveniente. (There’s a problem.) | Inconvenient = incómodo. | ¿Te queda incómodo? (Is that inconvenient for you?) |
| decepción | Disappointment (NOT deception = engaño). | Qué decepción. (What a disappointment.) | Deception = engaño. | Fue un engaño. (It was a deception/scam.) |
Food, Objects, And Other Sneaky Stuff
| Spanish | English Meaning | Example 1 | Example 2 | Example 3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| exquisito | Delicious / exquisite (often about food) (NOT only fancy/rare). | Este mole está exquisito. (This mole is delicious.) | You’ll hear it for food a lot. | El postre quedó exquisito. (The dessert turned out delicious.) |
| fábrica | Factory (NOT fabric = tela). | Mi tío trabaja en una fábrica. (My uncle works in a factory.) | Fabric (cloth) = tela. | Necesito tela para el vestido. (I need fabric for the dress.) |
| globo | Balloon (NOT globe = mundo / planeta). | Compré globos para la fiesta. (I bought balloons for the party.) | Globe (Earth) = el mundo. | El mundo es enorme. (The world is huge.) |
| guardar | To keep / save / store (NOT guard = vigilar / cuidar). | Voy a guardar este recibo. (I’m going to keep/save this receipt.) | Guard/watch = vigilar. | El guardia vigila la entrada. (The guard watches the entrance.) |
| largo | Long (NOT large = grande). | El camino es largo. (The road is long.) | Large/big = grande. | Quiero una pizza grande. (I want a large pizza.) |
| propina | Tip (money) (NOT propaganda). | ¿Incluye propina? (Does it include a tip?) | Propaganda = propaganda (ads/PR). | Eso suena a propaganda. (That sounds like propaganda.) |
| sopa | Soup (NOT soap = jabón). | Quiero una sopa de tortilla. (I want tortilla soup.) | Soap = jabón. | Necesito jabón para lavarme las manos. (I need soap to wash my hands.) |
| preservativo | Condom (NOT preservative — food preservative = conservador). | Usaron preservativo. (They used a condom.) | Food preservative = conservador. | No me gustan los conservadores. (I don’t like preservatives.) |
| arena | Sand (NOT always “arena” the venue; that can be arena too, so context matters). | La arena está caliente. (The sand is hot.) | Venue: often arena or estadio. | El concierto es en el estadio. (The concert is in the stadium.) |
| ropa | Clothes (NOT rope = cuerda / soga). | Necesito comprar ropa. (I need to buy clothes.) | Rope = cuerda. | Amarra esto con una cuerda. (Tie this with a rope.) |
| pie | Foot (NOT pie — in Mexico you’ll often hear pay for “pie”). | Me duele el pie. (My foot hurts.) | Pie (dessert) = pay / tarta. | Quiero un pay de limón. (I want a key lime pie.) |
| constipado | Congested / with a cold (more Spain). In Mexico, you’ll usually say resfriado. NOT “constipated.” | Estoy resfriado. (I have a cold.) | Constipated = estreñido. | Estoy estreñido. (I’m constipated.) |
Practice: Spot The Trap
Pick the best Spanish option. (Answers right below—no suffering.)
- You want to say “I’m embarrassed.”
A) Estoy embarazada. B) Estoy avergonzado/a. - You want to say “I currently live here.”
A) Actualmente vivo aquí. B) En realidad vivo aquí. - You want to say “I’m going to attend the meeting.”
A) Voy a asistir a la reunión. B) Voy a ayudar a la reunión. - You want to say “Can you summarize it?”
A) ¿Puedes resumirlo? B) ¿Puedes reanudarlo? - You want to say “The exit is over there.”
A) El éxito está allá. B) La salida está allá. - You want to say “I recorded a video.”
A) Recordé un video. B) Grabé un video. - You want to say “This is inconvenient for me.”
A) Esto es incómodo para mí. B) Esto es un inconveniente para mí. - You want to say “I bought soap.”
A) Compré sopa. B) Compré jabón.
Answers
- 1) B
- 2) A
- 3) A
- 4) A
- 5) B
- 6) B
- 7) A works for “inconvenient,” B is “there’s a problem.”
- 8) B
Quick FAQs
Are false friends the same as cognates?
Nope. Cognates are true look-alikes with the same meaning (like hospital). False friends look similar but mean something different (like embarazada).
Do these work in Mexico?
Yes—these are commonly understood. The only big regional “watch out” on this page is constipado: in Mexico you’ll usually say resfriado (cold) and estreñido (constipated).
What’s the fastest way to learn them?
Learn them as mini bundles: false friend → real meaning → word you actually wanted. Then say each one out loud in a sentence.
Final Yak: If a Spanish word looks like English and feels “too easy,” treat it like a suspicious email attachment. Pause. Verify. Then proceed like a legend.
