Questions tagged [false-friend]

Questions about pairs of words which appear to be similar in different languages, but actually mean different things. Not to be confused with "false cognate". // Preguntas sobre palabras que parecen similares en idiomas diferentes, pero en realidad significan cosas distintas. No confundir con "falso cognado".

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5 answers
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"True" meaning of "por cierto"

I have always thought of the expression of "por cierto" as meaning "certainly" or "surely." It certainly "looks" that way (for certainly). And even Google Translate gives it that meaning, as well as "...
Tom Au's user avatar
  • 2,991
6 votes
3 answers
496 views

Which verb should be used to assume something?

I've read that the verb "asumir" is a false friend, for example: asumir: to accept, to take on suponer: to assume Therefore it is incorrect to use the verb "asumir" when trying ...
sf_admin's user avatar
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5 votes
2 answers
121 views

Is "idiomático" a false friend of "idiomatic"?

At English Language & Usage SE there are sometimes questions about usage that get an answer something like this: You could say that, and people would understand you, but it's not idiomatic. ...
aparente001's user avatar
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3 votes
2 answers
472 views

What does the verb "pretender" mean?

I have been under the impression that the verb pretender is a false friend and means "to intend, or to hope, or to expect". However in Google Translate it translates as "to pretend", and it even ...
sf_admin's user avatar
  • 581
3 votes
1 answer
161 views

"Colegio" and "Dormitorio"

According to the mental floss article, colegio and "college" are listed as false friends, and dormitorio and "dormitory" are also listed as false friends. But it contradicts the ...
Arunabh Bhattacharya's user avatar
2 votes
1 answer
81 views

La Complacencia - Pleasure or Complacency?

So I was looking up the word: "Complacencia" and I can't decide if it means "complacency" or if it's a False Friend meaning "Pleasure" The RAE only lists the definition ...
SurpriseDog's user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
184 views

Tiene "realización" el significado de comprensión en Español?

Según la RAE , realización es Realización Acción y efecto de realizar o realizarse. y realizar tr. Efectuar, llevar a cabo algo o ejecutar una acción. U. t. c. prnl. tr. Dirigir la ...
Pablo's user avatar
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0 votes
1 answer
502 views

What does "constipado" mean? [closed]

I am studying Spanish in college and I am stumped on a problem. The question is "en español estar constipado/a es lo mismo que ___________" Which translates to: "In Spanish being 'constipated'...
Nate's user avatar
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