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False Friends
One of the great things about learning Spanish is that many words have the same roots in the Romance languages and English. However, there are also a great many falsos amigos, or false friends, which look similar but are in fact very different. This is one of the biggest pitfalls for students of Spanish. There are also semi-false friends: words that can only sometimes be translated by the similar word in the other language.
Because some of the words are identical in the two languages, the Spanish word appears in blue and the English in purple.
Absoluto vs Absolute(ly)
Absoluto is a rather interesting word. Alone, it means absolute, utter, complete. When preceded by en, it means not at all, by no means, no way.
Absolute = absoluto. Absolutely = absolutamente, completamente, totalmente.
Actual vs Actual
Actual means current or present: El presidente actual vive en Madrid – The current president lives in Madrid. Actualmente means currently, at present, or now.
Actual means verdadero or efectivo. Actually can be translated by realmente, en realidad, or en efecto.
Advertencia vs Advertisement
Advertencia is a warning, piece of advice, reminder, or preface.
Advertisement = un anuncio.
Agonía vs Agony
Agonía = death throes, dying moments.
Agony refers to terrible physical or mental pain: dolor agudo, angustia.
Alterado vs Altered
Alterado can mean changed or altered as well as angry or upset.
Altered = modificado, cambiado, alterado.
Americano vs American
Americano usually refers to anyone from North or South America.
American = estaounidense (adjective of Estados Unidos – United States)
Aplicar vs Apply
Aplicar means to apply something, like a theory, paint, or sanctions.
Apply = aplicar when it is a transitive verb. As an intransitive verb, it has many translations: apply for a job – solicitar or presentar; to apply oneself to – dirigirse a uno; to apply in the sense of be applicable – ser aplicable or interesar.
Apología vs Apology
Apología refers to defense or a eulogy.
Apology = una disculpa or excusa.
Aprobar vs Approve
Aprobar means to approve (of), consent to, or endorse, as well as to pass a test or class.
Approve = aprobar.
Arena vs Arena
Arena means sand.
Arena = anfiteatro, redondel, plaza.
Argumento vs Argument
Argumento means argument in the sense of reasoning (as in a courtroom).
Argument in the sense of disagreement translates as una discusión, pelea, disputa, or polémica.
Asesino vs Assassin
Asesino can refer to an assassin as well as non-political murderer or killer. It's also an adjective: murderous.
Assassin = asesino.
Asistencia vs Assistance
Asistencia usually means attendance, though it can also mean assistance.
Assistance is most commonly translated by ayuda or auxilio.
Asistir vs Assist
Asistir means to attend.
Assist translates as ayudar.
Atender vs Attend
Atender can mean to attend in Latin America, but in Spain it means to pay attention to, to heed, or to care for.
Attend = asistir.
Autor vs Author
Autor can refer to an author or writer as well as the creator of something (e.g., a painting) or the perpetrator of a crime.
Author nearly indicates a writer: un autor, una autora.
Bachillerato vs Bachelor
Bachillerato is the equivalent of a high school diploma in the US or A-levels in the UK.
Bachelor refers to an unmarried man: un soltero. A bachelor's degree is una licenciatura.
Billón vs Billion
Billón is kind of a semi-false friend. It indicates a trillion in US, billion in UK.
Billion, as spoken by an American, = mil millones. When a Brit says billion, s/he means billón.
Bizarro vs Bizarre
Bizarro has two categories of meaning: 1) valient, gallant, brave, or 2) generous.
Bizarre means extraño or raro (see raro vs rare, below).
Blanco vs Blank
Blanco is a semi-false friend. It is usually the Spanish word for the color white but can in some instances be translated by blank: una página blanca – a blank sheet of paper.
Blank is an adjective meaning en blanco, liso, or sin adorno.
Blindar vs Blind
Blindar means to armor-plate or to shield, and its adjective blindado means armor-plated, shielded, or bullet-proof.
Blind = ciego as an adjective, and cegar or deslumbrar as a verb.
Bufete vs Buffet
Bufete is a desk or a lawyer's office.
Buffet refers to una cantina, un buffet libre, or una comida buffet.
Cámara vs Camera
Cámara can mean a camera, a camera operator, or a chamber.
Camera usually refers to a still camera: una cámara, una máquina fotográfica.
Campo vs Camp
Campo means country(side), field, or farm.
Camp refers to un campamento.
Cargo vs Cargo
Cargo refers to a post or position as well as a charge in all senses: hacerse cargo de – to take charge, sin cargo – free of charge, retirar los cargos contra – to drop the charges against.
Cargo = cargamento, carga.
Carpeta vs Carpet
Carpeta = folder, file, portfolio, briefcase, or table cloth.
Carpet is una alfombra or una moqueta.
Carrera vs Career
Carrera can refer to any of the following: running, race; a row or line; a beam, girder, or joist; route, ride, journey, course; avenue; career; or university studies.
Career indicates una carrera profesional or una profesión.
Carta vs Cart/Card
Carta refers to a (postal) letter, document, deed, charter, map, or menu.
Cart is un carro, una carreta, un carretón, or una carretilla. A card is usually una tarjeta.
Chocar vs Choke
Chocar normally means to shock or startle, but can also mean to clink (glasses) or to shake (hands).
Choke = sofocarse or atragantarse.
Colegio vs College
Colegio refers to a high school, usually private.
College can be translated by colegio only when it refers to "colleges" as in divisions of a school. Otherwise, college = universidad or escuela superior.
Colorado vs Colored
Colorado means red or reddish.
Colored = de color.
Complexión vs Complexion
Complexión refers to one's constitution, make-up, temperament, or physical build.
Complexion = la tez, el cutiz, or la piel.
Compromiso vs Compromise
Compromiso is an obligation, commitment, promise, or agreement.
Compromise as a noun can be expressed as una transacción, una avenencia, unas concesiones recíprocas, el término medio, or la solución intermedia. The verb is comprometer or transigir.
Conductor vs Conductor
Conductor equals conductor when referring to science: un conductor de electricidad – conductor of electricity. It can also mean a driver or a TV or radio presenter.
Conductor of an orchestra is un(a) director(a), and train conductor is un(a) revisor(a).
Conexión vs Connection
Conexión is a physical or logical connection.
Connection when referring to human/emotional connections is una relación.
Conferencia vs Conference
Conferencia can mean conference, meeting, lecture, speech, or phone call.
Conference = una conferencia, una reunión, una asamblea, or un congreso.
Constipación vs Constipation
Constipación and its synonym constipado both refer to a cold or catarrh.
Constipation = el estreñimiento.
Contento vs Content
Contento means happy.
Contemt means satisfecho.
Contestar vs Contest
Contestar means to answer or reply.
Contest as a verb means impugnar, atacar, disputar, or contender.
Conveniente vs Convenient
Conveniente means suitable, fitting, proper, useful, or advantageous.
Convenient means cómodo, práctico, útil, or accesible.
Copa vs Cup
Copa = a glass or goblet, an alcoholic drink, a trophy (la Copa del Mundo – World Cup).
Cup = una taza.
Copia vs Copy
Copia is a photopcopy or other duplicate.
Copy can also mean un ejemplar (of a book) or un número (of a magazine).
Coraje vs Courage
Coraje can mean courage as well as anger.
Courage can be translated by el coraje as well as el valor, la valentía, los ánimos, and las fuerzas.
Corresponder vs Correspond
Corresponder means things like to correspond, tally, fit in, match, or belong.
Correspond translates to corresponder only in the sense of agreeing with or matching (e.g., this corresponds with our thoughts). When referring to a correspondence by mail, the Spanish translation is escribirse or estar en correspondencia con.
Costumbre vs Costume
Costumbre is a habit
Costume = disfraz.
Cuestión vs Question
Cuestión is a matter/issue/question to be resolved.
Question is translated by cuestión when referring to an issue, or una pregunta when asking a question.
Culto vs Cult
Culto can refer to a religious sect or to a religious service. As an adjective, it means cultured or refined.
Cult = una secta.
Damnificado vs Damned
Damnificado = victim, from the verb damnificar – to injure, harm, damage.
Damned means condenado or maldito.
Decepción/Decepcionar vs Deception/Deceive
Decepción = disappointment.
Decepcionar = to disappoint.
Deception = un engaño, un fraude. To deceive = engañar, defraudar.
Defraudar vs Defraud
Defraudar can mean to defraud or cheat as well as to disappoint or let down.
Defraud means estafar or defraudar.
Delito vs Delight
Delito refers to a crime, offence, or misdeed.
Delight = el placer, el deleite, el encanto, or la delicia.To delight = encantar or deleitar.
Departamento vs Department
Departamento means department, section; office; compartment; province; or apartment.
Department = departamento, sección, ministerio.
Desgracia vs Disgrace
Desgracia means misfortune, mishap, accident, setback, or bad luck.
Disgrace refers to la deshonra or ignominia.
Deshonesto vs Dishonest
Deshonesto means indecent or lewd. It means dishonest only in the sense of untrustworthy, not in the sense of not telling the truth.
Dishonest = poco honrado, fraudulento.
Despertar vs Desperate
Despertar means to wake up, both figuratively and literally, and requires a direct object. To say "I'm waking up" in the sense of getting out of bed, you need to use the reflexive form, despertarse.
Desperate = desesperado.
Destituido vs Destitute
Destituido means devoid of or lacking.
Destitute = indigente, desamparado, necesitado, or en la miseria.
Disco vs Disco
Disco is a semi-false friend. Aside from disco, it has numerous translations: disk, discus, traffic-light, or (audio) record.
Disco = disco, discoteca, or sala de baile.
Discusión vs Discussion
Discusión can be a simple discussion, but more commonly it refers to something more intense, like a debate, dispute, or argument.
Discussion is equivalent to discusión or deliberaciones.
Discutir vs Discuss
Discutir is stronger than discuss; more like debate or argue.
Discuss = hablar de, tratar de, comentar.
Disgusto vs Disgust
Disgusto is not as strong as disgust; it means annoyance, displeasure, grief, or trouble.
Disgust refers to repugnancia or aversión.
Echar vs Echo
Echar has numerous meanings, including to throw, to put, to pour, to give, to cut, and to push.
Echo means resonar, repetir, or hacer eco.
Editor vs Editor
Editor is an adjective: publishing, and a noun: publisher or editor.
Editor can be translated by editor, director, or redactor.
Educación vs Education
Educación has a broader meaning than education. The Spanish word's best translation is upbringing, which includes both school education as well as what a child learns at home.
Education is best translated by formación or enseñanza.
Educado vs Educated
Educado means well-mannered, polite, or cultivated, from the verb educar – to raise, bring up, rear.
Educated is from the verb to educate: formar or instruir.
Efectivo vs Effective
Efectivo means real or actual. En efectivo means in cash. Efectivos are military forces or (police) officers.
Effective = eficaz.
Elevador vs Elevator
Elevador means elevator only in Mexico, though un elevador de granos is a grain elevator anywhere.
Elevator = un ascensor.
Embarazada vs Embarrassed
Embarazada means pregnant. It can also be a noun: una embarazada = a pregnant woman, an expectant mother.
Embarrassed is avergonzado, molesto, or incómodo.
Emocionante vs Emotional
Emocionante means exciting, thrilling, or moving.
Emotional indicates something that is afectivo, emocional, or emotivo, or someone that is sentimental.
Equivocado vs Equivocal
Equivocado means wrong.
Equivocal is equívoco or ambiguo.
Eventual vs Eventual
Eventual means fortuitous, possible, or temporary.
Eventual = final, definitivo, consiguiente.
Excitar vs Excite
Excitar means to excite sexually.
Excite when talking about something you're looking forward to is entusiasmar or provocar.
Éxito vs Exit
Éxito means success: a gran éxito – very successful.
Exit is una salida.
Fábrica vs Fabric
Fábrica is a factory, plant, or mill.
Fabric is el tejido or la tela.
Factoría vs Factory
Factoría can mean a factory (in some Spanish-speaking countries), but is more commonly a trading post.
Factory = una fábrica.
Facultad vs Faculty
Facultad refers to mental faculty, power or ability, or a university department.
Faculty in reference to a group of teachers is el profesorado.
Falta vs Fault
Falta is a lack, want, need, absence, shortage, failure, or shortcoming.
A fault (imperfection) is un defecto, un desperfecto, or una imperfección. Fault (blame) is la culpa.
Familiar vs Familiar
Familiar as an adjective means family, familiar, domestic, informal, plain, or colloquial. As a noun it refers to a relative or close friend.
Familiar is only an adjective: familiar, conocido, común, familiarizado, íntimo.
Fastidioso vs Fastidious
Fastidioso means annoying or boring. It can mean fastidious in Latin America.
Fastidious means escrupuloso.
Firma vs Firm
Firma can refer to a firm, but more commonly means a signature.
Firm as an adjective means firme, sólido, duro, seguro. As a noun, it can be translated by una firma or una empresa.
Fiscal vs Fiscal
Fiscal means fiscal or tax-related as an adjective. As a noun, however, it refers to a district attorney or public prosecutor.
Fiscal = fiscal.
Formal vs Formal
Formal means reliable, dependable, responsible, or serious.
Formal means solemne, correcto, oficial, or, when referring to clothing, de etiqueta.
Fracaso vs Fracas
Fracaso is a failure or disaster.
Fracas is une gresca or una reyerta.
Fútbol vsFootball
Fútbol refers to soccer (in American English).
Football = el fútbol americano.
Fútil vs Futile
Fútil means trivial, while
Futile means inútil, vano, or infructuoso.
Grabar vs Grab
Grabar is to engrave, record, or impress.
Grab means asir, coger, or arrebatar.
Gracioso vs Gracious
Gracioso means funny or cute.
Gracious = gentil, cortés, or refinado.
Grosería vs Grocery store
Grosería seems to follow the -ía pattern on most Spanish words for stores, but in fact it refers only to rudeness, crudeness, or vulgarity.
Grocery store = tienda de abarrotes/comestibles, bodega, or abacería, depending on what country you're in.
Honesto vs Honest
Honesto means sincere, honorable, or decent.
Honest = sincero, franco, or honrado.
Humor vs Humor
Humor means mood or humor.
Humor refers to gracia or humor. Sense of humor = sentido del humor.
Idioma vs Idiom
Idioma refers to a language.
Idiom = idiotosmo, modismo, or lenguaje.
Ignorar vs Ignore
Ignorar means to not know or to be unaware of.
Ignore means no hacer caso de, desatender, or dejar a un lado.
Insulto vs Insult
Insulto means insult in most places, but in Mexico it can also refer to indigestion or a stomachache.
Insult = insulto.
Introducir vs Introduce
Introducir is a semi-false friend. It means to introduce only in the context of introducing a topic.
Introduce can mean to introduce a topic or a person. The latter is translated by presentar in Spanish.
Jamón vs Jam
Jamón = ham.
Jam = mermelada.
Jubilación vs Jubilation
Jubilación refers to retirement: both the act of retiring and a pension.
Jubilation = júbilo.
Labor vs Labor
Labor can mean any kind of work: paid work, chores, needlework, etc.
Labor refers to trabajo (the actual work) or la mano de obra (the workers).
Largo vs Large
Largo means long, generous, or abundant.
Large = grande or importante.
Lectura vs Lecture
Lectura refers to the act of reading or reading material.
Lecture = una conferencia, una explicación, or un sermoneo.
Letra vs Letter
Letra refers only to a letter of the alphabet.
Letter is un letra (of the alphabet) or una carta (that you write to a friend).
Librería/Librero vs Library
Librería is a bookstore, while librero refers to a bookseller or bookcase.
Library refers to una biblioteca.
Lujuria vs Luxury
Lujuria = lust, lewdness, excess.
Luxury = el lujo.
Mama vs Mama
Mama refers to a breast.
Mama = mamá (see how important an accent can be?)
Mango vs Mango
Mango can mean mango the fruit as well as a handle (as of a knife).
Mango = mango.
Marca/Marco vs Mark
Marca is a mark (as in a spot or line) as well as a brand, make, or label. In sports, una marca is a record or best time. Un marco is a (picture) frame, goal, setting, or framework.
Mark can be translated by una mancha or una señal.
Masa vs Mass
Masa can mean mass (in terms of people and volume), as well as dough.
Mass in reference to church is la misa.
Matar vs Mate
Matar means to kill.
Mate = as a noun is un macho / una hembra for animals, un compañero / una compañera for people. To mate means aparear or unir.
Mayor vs Mayor
Mayor as an adjective means main, major, larger, older. As a noun is means chief, boss, superior, adult, or ancestor.
Mayor = el alcalde or la alcadesa.
Minorista vs Minority
Minorista is a Caribbean and South American word for retail or retail seller.
Minority = la minoría or, as an adjective, minoritario.
Molestar vs Molest
Molestar means to annoy or bother.
Molest = acosar sexualmente.
Motivo vs Motive
Motivo isn't necessarily the same thing as motive (which tends to have a negative connotation, like "motive for the murder"); it's more like reason or cause.
Motive = móvil, motivos, or intención.
Natural vs Natural
Natural as an adjective means natural, fresh (with fruit), and illegimate (with children). As a noun it means nature or native.
Natural can be translated by natural, normal, innato, or biológico (with family members).
Negocio vs Negotiation
Negocio refers to a business, deal, or transaction.
Negotiation is una negociación
Nombre vs Number
Nombre means name or noun.
Number is un número.
Noticia vs Notice
Noticia is a news item or piece of news. Noticias means news or information.
A Notice = un aviso, un cartel, un letrero, un preaviso.
Nudo vs Nude
Nudo is a noun: knot, node, joint.
Nude is a noun or adjective: desnudo.
Ocasión vs Occasion
Ocasión is usually a chance or opportunity. It can also mean cause or reason, and in Latin American it refers to a bargain.
Occasion refers to una vez, una oportunidad, un acontecimiento, una razón, or un motivo.
Oculto vs Occult
Oculto can mean hidden, concealed, or secret, as well as occult.
Occult = oculto or misterioso.
Ocupado vs Occupied
Ocupado means busy.
Occupied can mean ocupado or habitado.
Oficial vs Official
Oficial as an adjective is the same as in English. As a noun, it refers to a military officer or a skilled worker.
Official as a noun is un funcionario.
Oficio vs Office
Oficio = trade or function, religious service/mass, or an official letter.
Office is una oficina, un despacho.
Once vs Once
Once is eleven in Spanish.
Once = una vez.
Ordinario vs Ordinary
Ordinario can mean ordinary as well as common or coarse (in reference to a person) and fine or ok, in answer to ¿Cómo estás?
Ordinary = normal or corriente.
Pan vs Pan
Pan = bread
Pan is una cazuela, cacerola, olla, or sartén.
Papa/Papá vs Papa
Papa means potato when it's feminine and Pope when it's masculine. Papá is equivalent to papa or dad in English.
Papa = papá.
Pariente vs Parent
Pariente is any relative
Parent = el padre or la madre only.
Patrón vs Patron
Patrón can indicate a boss or owner as well as a pattern or standard.
Patron = patrocinador or cliente.
Pie vs Pie
Pie = foot.
Pie = pastel.
Plagio vs Plague
Plagio is plagiarism.
Plague refers to la peste, la plaga, or el fastidio.
Prácticamente vs Practically
Prácticamente should not be used to mean almost; it means practically in the sense of "in a practical way" or "in practical terms."
Practically = casi.
Preciso vs Precise
Preciso can mean precise, correct, or necessary.
Precise = preciso or exacto.
Preocupado vs Preoccupied
Preocupado = worried.
Preoccupied = absorto.
Presente vs Present
Presente = present when talking about time or presence.
Present meaning "gift" is un regalo.
Preservativo vs Preservative
Preservativo indicates a condom.
Preservative is un conservador.
Pretender vs Pretend
Pretender means to hope or to claim: Ella pretende ser rica – She claims to be rich.
Pretend is translated by fingir or simular.
Privado vs Private
Privado means private as in exclusive (such as a school or club).
Private is fairly general – it's basically the opposite of public and can be translated by privado, personal, secreto, íntimo, or particular.
Procurar vs Procure
Procurar rarely means to procure; the more common translations by far are to try and to manage (to do something).
Procure = obtener, conseguir.
Quitar vs Quit
Quitar means to take away, remove, or get rid of.
Quit = dejar, abandonar, salir de. To quit one's job: abandonar su puesto, dimitir.
Raro vs Rare
Raro can mean rare, but more commonly means odd or strange.
Rare = poco común or excepcional.
Real vs Real
Real can mean real as well as royal.
Real means verdadero, auténtico, or legítimo.
Realizar vs Realize
Realizar means to realize only in the sense of to make real, to attain, or to fulfill.
Realize can mean realizar as well as darse cuenta de, comprender, and reconocer.
Receta vs Receipt
Receta = recipe or prescription.
Receipt = un recibo.
Recolección vs Recollection
Recolección is a collection, harvest, or summary.
Recollection is el recuerdo or la memoria.
Recordar vs Record
Recordar means to remember, recall, or remind.
Record is equivalent to registrar, inscribir, or grabar.
Red vs Red
Red refers to a network.
Red is the color rojo.
Relativo vs Relative
Relativo has the same meaning as an adjective, but as a noun it is used only in linguistics.
Relative as a noun = pariente or familiar.
Restar vs Rest
Rester means to take away or subtract, to not give much, to remain or be left or, in sports, to return.
Rest as a verb = descansar or apoyar.
Revolver vs Revolver
Revolver is a verb: to move around, turn over, revolve, or disturb.
Revolver is a noun: un revólver (that accent is important!)
Ropa vs Rope
Ropa means clothing.
Rope = una cuerda or una soga.
Salario vs Salary
Salario refers to hourly wages, while
Salary indicates fixed earnings per month or year: el sueldo.
Sano vs Sane
Sano = healthy, fit, or intact.
Sane means cuerdo, sensato, or de juicio sano.
Sensible vs Sensible
Sensible = sensitive or regrettable.
Sensible means juicioso, sensato, or prudente.
Simple vs Simple
Simple can nearly always be translated by simple: when it means foolish, not compound, etc.
Simple, however, is translated as sencillo when it means unadorned or uncomplicated.
Sobre vs Sober
Sobre is either a noun: envelope or a preposition: on, above, over.
Sober means sobrio or sereno.
Sopa vs Soap
Sopa refers to soup or, informally, a hangover, while
Soap is jabón.
Soportar vs Support
Soportar means to bear, carry, support, hold up, or withstand.
Support as a verb is usually translated by apoyar, sostener, or mantener.
Suceder vs Succeed
Suceder means to happen or to follow, come next.
Succeed = tener éxito, triunfar.
Suceso vs Success
Suceso is an event, incident, happening, or outcome.
Success refers to un éxito or triunfo.
Tabla vs Table
Tabla can refer to a board, plank, sheet (of metal), table top, or stage.
Table is una mesa.
Tipo vs Type
Tipo means type/kind as well as guy or bloke.
Type = tipo or clase. To type = escribir a máquina.
Trampa vs Tramp
Trampa indicates a trap.
Tramp is a un vagabundo or una zorra.
Tratar vs Treat
Tratar means to treat or handle; to deal with, be about, have to do with; or to address.
Treat as a verb means tratar, invitar, curar, or discutir.
Tuna vs Tuna
Tuna has a range of meanings: prickly pear, a student music group, the life of a rogue, and, in Central America, drunkenness.
Tuna = el atún.
Últimamente vs Ultimately
Últimamente means lastly, finally, as a last resort, or lately.
Ultimately = por último, al final, a la larga, en el fondo.
Último vs Ultimate
Último means final or last.
Ultimate has several meanings: the best – definitivo, the most important/essential – fundamental, esencial; the latest – último grito.
Vaso vs Vase
Vaso is a glass or tumbler.
Vase indicates un florero or jarrón.
Aplicar means to apply something, like a theory, paint, or sanctions.
Apply = aplicar when it is a transitive verb. As an intransitive verb, it has many translations: apply for a job – solicitar or presentar; to apply oneself to – dirigirse a uno; to apply in the sense of be applicable – ser aplicable or interesar.
Apología refers to defense or a eulogy.
Apology = una disculpa or excusa.
Aprobar means to approve (of), consent to, or endorse, as well as to pass a test or class.
Approve = aprobar.
Arena means sand.
Arena = anfiteatro, redondel, plaza.
Argumento means argument in the sense of reasoning (as in a courtroom).
Argument in the sense of disagreement translates as una discusión, pelea, disputa, or polémica.
Asesino can refer to an assassin as well as non-political murderer or killer. It's also an adjective: murderous.
Assassin = asesino.
Asistencia usually means attendance, though it can also mean assistance.
Assistance is most commonly translated by ayuda or auxilio.
Asistir means to attend.
Assist translates as ayudar.
Atender can mean to attend in Latin America, but in Spain it means to pay attention to, to heed, or to care for.
Attend = asistir.
Autor can refer to an author or writer as well as the creator of something (e.g., a painting) or the perpetrator of a crime.
Author nearly indicates a writer: un autor, una autora.
Bachillerato is the equivalent of a high school diploma in the US or A-levels in the UK.
Bachelor refers to an unmarried man: un soltero. A bachelor's degree is una licenciatura.
Billón is kind of a semi-false friend. It indicates a trillion in US, billion in UK.
Billion, as spoken by an American, = mil millones. When a Brit says billion, s/he means billón.
Bizarro has two categories of meaning: 1) valient, gallant, brave, or 2) generous.
Bizarre means extraño or raro (see raro vs rare, below).
Blanco is a semi-false friend. It is usually the Spanish word for the color white but can in some instances be translated by blank: una página blanca – a blank sheet of paper.
Blank is an adjective meaning en blanco, liso, or sin adorno.
Blindar means to armor-plate or to shield, and its adjective blindado means armor-plated, shielded, or bullet-proof.
Blind = ciego as an adjective, and cegar or deslumbrar as a verb.
Bufete is a desk or a lawyer's office.
Buffet refers to una cantina, un buffet libre, or una comida buffet.
Cámara can mean a camera, a camera operator, or a chamber.
Camera usually refers to a still camera: una cámara, una máquina fotográfica.
Campo means country(side), field, or farm.
Camp refers to un campamento.
Cargo refers to a post or position as well as a charge in all senses: hacerse cargo de – to take charge, sin cargo – free of charge, retirar los cargos contra – to drop the charges against.
Cargo = cargamento, carga.
Carpeta = folder, file, portfolio, briefcase, or table cloth.
Carpet is una alfombra or una moqueta.
Carrera can refer to any of the following: running, race; a row or line; a beam, girder, or joist; route, ride, journey, course; avenue; career; or university studies.
Career indicates una carrera profesional or una profesión.
Carta refers to a (postal) letter, document, deed, charter, map, or menu.
Cart is un carro, una carreta, un carretón, or una carretilla. A card is usually una tarjeta.
Chocar normally means to shock or startle, but can also mean to clink (glasses) or to shake (hands).
Choke = sofocarse or atragantarse.
Colegio refers to a high school, usually private.
College can be translated by colegio only when it refers to "colleges" as in divisions of a school. Otherwise, college = universidad or escuela superior.
Colorado means red or reddish.
Colored = de color.
Complexión refers to one's constitution, make-up, temperament, or physical build.
Complexion = la tez, el cutiz, or la piel.
Compromiso is an obligation, commitment, promise, or agreement.
Compromise as a noun can be expressed as una transacción, una avenencia, unas concesiones recíprocas, el término medio, or la solución intermedia. The verb is comprometer or transigir.
Conductor equals conductor when referring to science: un conductor de electricidad – conductor of electricity. It can also mean a driver or a TV or radio presenter.
Conductor of an orchestra is un(a) director(a), and train conductor is un(a) revisor(a).
Conexión is a physical or logical connection.
Connection when referring to human/emotional connections is una relación.
Conferencia can mean conference, meeting, lecture, speech, or phone call.
Conference = una conferencia, una reunión, una asamblea, or un congreso.
Constipación and its synonym constipado both refer to a cold or catarrh.
Constipation = el estreñimiento.
Contento means happy.
Contemt means satisfecho.
Contestar means to answer or reply.
Contest as a verb means impugnar, atacar, disputar, or contender.
Conveniente means suitable, fitting, proper, useful, or advantageous.
Convenient means cómodo, práctico, útil, or accesible.
Copa = a glass or goblet, an alcoholic drink, a trophy (la Copa del Mundo – World Cup).
Cup = una taza.
Copia is a photopcopy or other duplicate.
Copy can also mean un ejemplar (of a book) or un número (of a magazine).
Coraje can mean courage as well as anger.
Courage can be translated by el coraje as well as el valor, la valentía, los ánimos, and las fuerzas.
Corresponder means things like to correspond, tally, fit in, match, or belong.
Correspond translates to corresponder only in the sense of agreeing with or matching (e.g., this corresponds with our thoughts). When referring to a correspondence by mail, the Spanish translation is escribirse or estar en correspondencia con.
Costumbre is a habit
Costume = disfraz.
Cuestión is a matter/issue/question to be resolved.
Question is translated by cuestión when referring to an issue, or una pregunta when asking a question.
Culto can refer to a religious sect or to a religious service. As an adjective, it means cultured or refined.
Cult = una secta.
Damnificado = victim, from the verb damnificar – to injure, harm, damage.
Damned means condenado or maldito.
Decepción = disappointment.
Decepcionar = to disappoint.
Deception = un engaño, un fraude. To deceive = engañar, defraudar.
Defraudar can mean to defraud or cheat as well as to disappoint or let down.
Defraud means estafar or defraudar.
Delito refers to a crime, offence, or misdeed.
Delight = el placer, el deleite, el encanto, or la delicia.To delight = encantar or deleitar.
Departamento means department, section; office; compartment; province; or apartment.
Department = departamento, sección, ministerio.
Desgracia means misfortune, mishap, accident, setback, or bad luck.
Disgrace refers to la deshonra or ignominia.
Deshonesto means indecent or lewd. It means dishonest only in the sense of untrustworthy, not in the sense of not telling the truth.
Dishonest = poco honrado, fraudulento.
Despertar means to wake up, both figuratively and literally, and requires a direct object. To say "I'm waking up" in the sense of getting out of bed, you need to use the reflexive form, despertarse.
Desperate = desesperado.
Destituido means devoid of or lacking.
Destitute = indigente, desamparado, necesitado, or en la miseria.
Disco is a semi-false friend. Aside from disco, it has numerous translations: disk, discus, traffic-light, or (audio) record.
Disco = disco, discoteca, or sala de baile.
Discusión can be a simple discussion, but more commonly it refers to something more intense, like a debate, dispute, or argument.
Discussion is equivalent to discusión or deliberaciones.
Discutir is stronger than discuss; more like debate or argue.
Discuss = hablar de, tratar de, comentar.
Disgusto is not as strong as disgust; it means annoyance, displeasure, grief, or trouble.
Disgust refers to repugnancia or aversión.
Echar has numerous meanings, including to throw, to put, to pour, to give, to cut, and to push.
Echo means resonar, repetir, or hacer eco.
Editor is an adjective: publishing, and a noun: publisher or editor.
Editor can be translated by editor, director, or redactor.
Educación has a broader meaning than education. The Spanish word's best translation is upbringing, which includes both school education as well as what a child learns at home.
Education is best translated by formación or enseñanza.
Educado means well-mannered, polite, or cultivated, from the verb educar – to raise, bring up, rear.
Educated is from the verb to educate: formar or instruir.
Efectivo means real or actual. En efectivo means in cash. Efectivos are military forces or (police) officers.
Effective = eficaz.
Elevador means elevator only in Mexico, though un elevador de granos is a grain elevator anywhere.
Elevator = un ascensor.
Embarazada means pregnant. It can also be a noun: una embarazada = a pregnant woman, an expectant mother.
Embarrassed is avergonzado, molesto, or incómodo.
Emocionante means exciting, thrilling, or moving.
Emotional indicates something that is afectivo, emocional, or emotivo, or someone that is sentimental.
Equivocado means wrong.
Equivocal is equívoco or ambiguo.
Eventual means fortuitous, possible, or temporary.
Eventual = final, definitivo, consiguiente.
Excitar means to excite sexually.
Excite when talking about something you're looking forward to is entusiasmar or provocar.
Éxito means success: a gran éxito – very successful.
Exit is una salida.
Fábrica is a factory, plant, or mill.
Fabric is el tejido or la tela.
Factoría can mean a factory (in some Spanish-speaking countries), but is more commonly a trading post.
Factory = una fábrica.
Facultad refers to mental faculty, power or ability, or a university department.
Faculty in reference to a group of teachers is el profesorado.
Falta is a lack, want, need, absence, shortage, failure, or shortcoming.
A fault (imperfection) is un defecto, un desperfecto, or una imperfección. Fault (blame) is la culpa.
Familiar as an adjective means family, familiar, domestic, informal, plain, or colloquial. As a noun it refers to a relative or close friend.
Familiar is only an adjective: familiar, conocido, común, familiarizado, íntimo.
Fastidioso means annoying or boring. It can mean fastidious in Latin America.
Fastidious means escrupuloso.
Firma can refer to a firm, but more commonly means a signature.
Firm as an adjective means firme, sólido, duro, seguro. As a noun, it can be translated by una firma or una empresa.
Fiscal means fiscal or tax-related as an adjective. As a noun, however, it refers to a district attorney or public prosecutor.
Fiscal = fiscal.
Formal means reliable, dependable, responsible, or serious.
Formal means solemne, correcto, oficial, or, when referring to clothing, de etiqueta.
Fracaso is a failure or disaster.
Fracas is une gresca or una reyerta.
Fútbol refers to soccer (in American English).
Football = el fútbol americano.
Fútil means trivial, while
Futile means inútil, vano, or infructuoso.
Grabar is to engrave, record, or impress.
Grab means asir, coger, or arrebatar.
Gracioso means funny or cute.
Gracious = gentil, cortés, or refinado.
Grosería seems to follow the -ía pattern on most Spanish words for stores, but in fact it refers only to rudeness, crudeness, or vulgarity.
Grocery store = tienda de abarrotes/comestibles, bodega, or abacería, depending on what country you're in.
Honesto means sincere, honorable, or decent.
Honest = sincero, franco, or honrado.
Humor means mood or humor.
Humor refers to gracia or humor. Sense of humor = sentido del humor.
Idioma refers to a language.
Idiom = idiotosmo, modismo, or lenguaje.
Ignorar means to not know or to be unaware of.
Ignore means no hacer caso de, desatender, or dejar a un lado.
Insulto means insult in most places, but in Mexico it can also refer to indigestion or a stomachache.
Insult = insulto.
Introducir is a semi-false friend. It means to introduce only in the context of introducing a topic.
Introduce can mean to introduce a topic or a person. The latter is translated by presentar in Spanish.
Jamón = ham.
Jam = mermelada.
Jubilación refers to retirement: both the act of retiring and a pension.
Jubilation = júbilo.
Labor can mean any kind of work: paid work, chores, needlework, etc.
Labor refers to trabajo (the actual work) or la mano de obra (the workers).
Largo means long, generous, or abundant.
Large = grande or importante.
Lectura refers to the act of reading or reading material.
Lecture = una conferencia, una explicación, or un sermoneo.
Letra refers only to a letter of the alphabet.
Letter is un letra (of the alphabet) or una carta (that you write to a friend).
Librería is a bookstore, while librero refers to a bookseller or bookcase.
Library refers to una biblioteca.
Lujuria = lust, lewdness, excess.
Luxury = el lujo.
Mama refers to a breast.
Mama = mamá (see how important an accent can be?)
Mango can mean mango the fruit as well as a handle (as of a knife).
Mango = mango.
Marca is a mark (as in a spot or line) as well as a brand, make, or label. In sports, una marca is a record or best time. Un marco is a (picture) frame, goal, setting, or framework.
Mark can be translated by una mancha or una señal.
Masa can mean mass (in terms of people and volume), as well as dough.
Mass in reference to church is la misa.
Matar means to kill.
Mate = as a noun is un macho / una hembra for animals, un compañero / una compañera for people. To mate means aparear or unir.
Mayor as an adjective means main, major, larger, older. As a noun is means chief, boss, superior, adult, or ancestor.
Mayor = el alcalde or la alcadesa.
Minorista is a Caribbean and South American word for retail or retail seller.
Minority = la minoría or, as an adjective, minoritario.
Molestar means to annoy or bother.
Molest = acosar sexualmente.
Motivo isn't necessarily the same thing as motive (which tends to have a negative connotation, like "motive for the murder"); it's more like reason or cause.
Motive = móvil, motivos, or intención.
Natural as an adjective means natural, fresh (with fruit), and illegimate (with children). As a noun it means nature or native.
Natural can be translated by natural, normal, innato, or biológico (with family members).
Negocio refers to a business, deal, or transaction.
Negotiation is una negociación
Nombre means name or noun.
Number is un número.
Noticia is a news item or piece of news. Noticias means news or information.
A Notice = un aviso, un cartel, un letrero, un preaviso.
Nudo is a noun: knot, node, joint.
Nude is a noun or adjective: desnudo.
Ocasión is usually a chance or opportunity. It can also mean cause or reason, and in Latin American it refers to a bargain.
Occasion refers to una vez, una oportunidad, un acontecimiento, una razón, or un motivo.
Oculto can mean hidden, concealed, or secret, as well as occult.
Occult = oculto or misterioso.
Ocupado means busy.
Occupied can mean ocupado or habitado.
Oficial as an adjective is the same as in English. As a noun, it refers to a military officer or a skilled worker.
Official as a noun is un funcionario.
Oficio = trade or function, religious service/mass, or an official letter.
Office is una oficina, un despacho.
Once is eleven in Spanish.
Once = una vez.
Ordinario can mean ordinary as well as common or coarse (in reference to a person) and fine or ok, in answer to ¿Cómo estás?
Ordinary = normal or corriente.
Pan = bread
Pan is una cazuela, cacerola, olla, or sartén.
Papa means potato when it's feminine and Pope when it's masculine. Papá is equivalent to papa or dad in English.
Papa = papá.
Pariente is any relative
Parent = el padre or la madre only.
Patrón can indicate a boss or owner as well as a pattern or standard.
Patron = patrocinador or cliente.
Pie = foot.
Pie = pastel.
Plagio is plagiarism.
Plague refers to la peste, la plaga, or el fastidio.
Prácticamente should not be used to mean almost; it means practically in the sense of "in a practical way" or "in practical terms."
Practically = casi.
Preciso can mean precise, correct, or necessary.
Precise = preciso or exacto.
Preocupado = worried.
Preoccupied = absorto.
Presente = present when talking about time or presence.
Present meaning "gift" is un regalo.
Preservativo indicates a condom.
Preservative is un conservador.
Pretender means to hope or to claim: Ella pretende ser rica – She claims to be rich.
Pretend is translated by fingir or simular.
Privado means private as in exclusive (such as a school or club).
Private is fairly general – it's basically the opposite of public and can be translated by privado, personal, secreto, íntimo, or particular.
Procurar rarely means to procure; the more common translations by far are to try and to manage (to do something).
Procure = obtener, conseguir.
Quitar means to take away, remove, or get rid of.
Quit = dejar, abandonar, salir de. To quit one's job: abandonar su puesto, dimitir.
Raro can mean rare, but more commonly means odd or strange.
Rare = poco común or excepcional.
Real can mean real as well as royal.
Real means verdadero, auténtico, or legítimo.
Realizar means to realize only in the sense of to make real, to attain, or to fulfill.
Realize can mean realizar as well as darse cuenta de, comprender, and reconocer.
Receta = recipe or prescription.
Receipt = un recibo.
Recolección is a collection, harvest, or summary.
Recollection is el recuerdo or la memoria.
Recordar means to remember, recall, or remind.
Record is equivalent to registrar, inscribir, or grabar.
Red refers to a network.
Red is the color rojo.
Relativo has the same meaning as an adjective, but as a noun it is used only in linguistics.
Relative as a noun = pariente or familiar.
Rester means to take away or subtract, to not give much, to remain or be left or, in sports, to return.
Rest as a verb = descansar or apoyar.
Revolver is a verb: to move around, turn over, revolve, or disturb.
Revolver is a noun: un revólver (that accent is important!)
Ropa means clothing.
Rope = una cuerda or una soga.
Salario refers to hourly wages, while
Salary indicates fixed earnings per month or year: el sueldo.
Sano = healthy, fit, or intact.
Sane means cuerdo, sensato, or de juicio sano.
Sensible = sensitive or regrettable.
Sensible means juicioso, sensato, or prudente.
Simple can nearly always be translated by simple: when it means foolish, not compound, etc.
Simple, however, is translated as sencillo when it means unadorned or uncomplicated.
Sobre is either a noun: envelope or a preposition: on, above, over.
Sober means sobrio or sereno.
Sopa refers to soup or, informally, a hangover, while
Soap is jabón.
Soportar means to bear, carry, support, hold up, or withstand.
Support as a verb is usually translated by apoyar, sostener, or mantener.
Suceder means to happen or to follow, come next.
Succeed = tener éxito, triunfar.
Suceso is an event, incident, happening, or outcome.
Success refers to un éxito or triunfo.
Tabla can refer to a board, plank, sheet (of metal), table top, or stage.
Table is una mesa.
Tipo means type/kind as well as guy or bloke.
Type = tipo or clase. To type = escribir a máquina.
Trampa indicates a trap.
Tramp is a un vagabundo or una zorra.
Tratar means to treat or handle; to deal with, be about, have to do with; or to address.
Treat as a verb means tratar, invitar, curar, or discutir.
Tuna has a range of meanings: prickly pear, a student music group, the life of a rogue, and, in Central America, drunkenness.
Tuna = el atún.
Últimamente means lastly, finally, as a last resort, or lately.
Ultimately = por último, al final, a la larga, en el fondo.
Último means final or last.
Ultimate has several meanings: the best – definitivo, the most important/essential – fundamental, esencial; the latest – último grito.
Vaso is a glass or tumbler.
Vase indicates un florero or jarrón.
¡Atención!
The words discussed here are not explained in every possible context. There may be occasions where the Spanish and English mean the same thing. I have chosen word pairs that are usually not related by anything other than spelling. For complete definitions and more extensive examples, please consult a dictionary.
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