False mates are misleading and two-faced—and so they can present up in language studying too.
These false mates are phrases that sound the identical in English and Spanish. They lure new customers of the language into considering they’ve the very same that means in each languages too, akin to library and librería.
However these will be overcome in the event you research them intently. I’ve listed down frequent Spanish-English false mates right here so you may be careful for them.
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Contents
Meet librería and library. You possibly can go to both of these locations to select up books in your Spanish studying follow. The distinction is that one in every of them is for revenue (bookstore) and the opposite is extra philanthropic (library). Are you able to guess which is which? From hereafter, it shouldn’t be a guessing sport!
Think about being out with a gaggle of Spanish mates after which by accident spilling your drink on somebody. What you wish to say is: “I’m so sorry, how embarrassing!” (Lo siento, ¡qué vergüenza!) However as an alternative, you say: “I’m so sorry, I’m pregnant!” (Lo siento, ¡estoy tan embarazada!)
Your good friend stares at you awkwardly, not figuring out react. It could have spared you from some uncomfortable moments had she recognized the distinction between these two phrases.
One of many extra harmful pairs is constipado and constipated. Whereas they each point out an absence of well being, they discuss with very totally different circumstances. Extra importantly, they’re each treatable with over-the-counter merchandise.
Acquiring any sort of medicinal product in Spanish-speaking international locations requires you to go to a pharmacy and converse with the pharmacist. So, it’s sensible to know the distinction between these two.
These are in all probability essentially the most embarrassing false mates on this whole checklist. In any case, each of those phrases will be regarded as preserving or conserving one thing. With un conservante (preservative), you’re stopping meals from spoiling, whereas un preservativo (condom) protects from being pregnant.
Watch out with these—your listeners will certainly provide you with a humorous look (or chortle outright) in the event you’re making an attempt to speak about preservatives however find yourself mentioning condoms as an alternative.
Realizar
(To hold out, carry out or obtain) | Darse cuenta
(To understand)
False mates are quite a bit like parasites. That’s, with out their host (native language) they can’t survive. When you understand (darse cuenta) this, you may be freed of their energy over you and be higher outfitted to attain (realizar) your potential in Spanish.
Possibly you’re speaking to your folks concerning the distinction between your nation and Spanish tradition, and the subject steers in direction of violence and youth. Impulsively you ask: “Are there plenty of bargains in Spain?” when what you actually imply to contribute is: “¿Hay muchas pandillas en España?” You realize one thing is incorrect when your folks ask in a puzzled tone: “¿Gangas?”
All you are able to do is clarify and take the warmth in your mistake. Spanish folks prefer to tease others about something and every little thing!
Take a detailed have a look at the phrases above. See in the event you can spot the variations between them!
Though virtually equivalent of their format, the phrase lectura in Spanish is just not in any manner synonymous to a lecture in English. You may actually make inferences about how they’re associated, however you can not use them interchangeably.
Recordar
(To recollect) | Grabar
(To report)
Hmmm, let me see if I can keep in mind…Sure, I keep in mind. You might not report these phrases as alternates. recordar ≠ report.
Recordar truly comes from the Latin phrase cor, which suggests coronary heart, so recordar means to revisit one thing in your coronary heart. However, grabar means to save lots of (or to “seize”) sounds in a digital camera, cellphone or different system.
Introducir is about inserting an object, whether or not you’re placing a coin in a slot, coming into your password on a web site and even metaphorically “introducing” new rules. But it surely has nothing to do with assembly different folks!
The Spanish phrase for that may be presentar as an alternative. You’re “presenting” (introducing) your self or another person to a different individual or an viewers.
Carta
(Paper letter, enjoying card) | Tarjeta
(Credit score, debit, greeting card)
This one will be actually complicated. For those who’re at a store and about to tug out your debit or bank card, don’t ask in the event you will pay utilizing your carta. Carta means a letter—normally, the bodily, old school kind that you simply ship over mail. For instance, a carta de amor is a love letter.
However, tarjeta is used for credit score or debit playing cards, together with greeting playing cards and enterprise playing cards.
There’s one exception, although: enjoying playing cards truly go by carta too.
With so many similarities between Spanish and English, it’s straightforward to get complacent and begin assuming English-sounding phrases have an identical that means. Keep in mind that any new ability requires follow, follow, follow.
Other than publicity, flashcards are an effective way to recollect these difficult false mates. You are able to do minimalist flashcards on Anki, or use multimedia flashcards on FluentU with audio and video included. Every vocabulary on FluentU additionally hyperlinks to genuine movies that includes the phrase, so you may perceive precisely use it.
It’s okay, although, to make a wholesome dose of errors. So long as you might be open to studying from them, they may all the time lead you in the suitable path.
Obtain:
This weblog submit is on the market as a handy and transportable PDF that you simply
can take wherever.
Click on right here to get a duplicate. (Obtain)
