Learn Spanish · A2–B2

Spanish false friends English speakers should know

Some Spanish words look reassuringly English—and that is exactly why they cause mistakes.

High-impact false friends

SpanishActually meansNot
embarazadapregnantembarrassed
actualcurrent/presentactual
asistirto attendto assist
realizarto carry out / achieveto realise
sensiblesensitivesensible
éxitosuccessexit
constipadohaving a cold (Spain)constipated
carpetafoldercarpet
libreríabookshoplibrary
ropaclothesrope

Correct the meaning

  1. Estoy embarazada.
  2. Asisto a una reunión.
  3. La situación actual.
  4. Fue un éxito.
Meanings: 1 I’m pregnant. · 2 I attend/am attending a meeting. · 3 The current situation. · 4 It was a success.

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