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domingo, 23 de septiembre de 2012

FALSE FRIENDS

What is a false friend? False friends are words that are similar in Spanish and English but their meanings are different. For example, when a Spanish student reads the word EMBARRASSED, he/she thinks it means embarazada. However, despite its similarity to the Spanish word, the meaning is : avergonzado.  Although most of you know the most common ones, Spanish speakers tend to forget the real meanings of the words when writing and speaking. That is why, I provide you with a short revision of them! 

What are the meaning of these words? 

1. QUIET                                                         11. EVENTUALLY 

2. CONSTIPATED                                           12. LECTURE 

3. COLLAR                                                      13. MASCARA

4. ACTUAL                                                      14. SENSIBLE

5. ADVISE                                                        15. COLLEGE

6. ARENA                                                         16. AVOCADO 

7. PROVE                                                         17. BALLOON 

8. DISCUSSION                                                18. CARPET 

9. RECEIPT                                                       19. CONDUCTOR 

10. LARGE                                                         20. IDIOM 




How many do you know? 10, 12, 20? 


KEY: 

1. Calmado (no quieto) 
2. Estreñido (no constipado) 
3. Cuello de una camisa (no collar de joyas) 
4. Real (no actual) 
5. Aconsejar (no avisar) 
6. Estadio, ruedo (no arena) 
7. Demostrar ( no probar) 
8. Conversación, debate (no discusión) 
9. Recibo (no receta) 
10. Grande (no largo)
11. Finalmente (no eventualmente) 
12. Conferencia ( no lectura) 
13. Rímel (no máscara) 
14. Sensato (no sensible) 
15. Universidad (no colegio) 
16. Aguacate (no abogado) 
17. Globo (no balón) 
18.  Alfombra (no carpeta) 
19. Director de orquesta (no conductor de vehículos) 
20. Frase hecha, expresión (no idioma) 


Now, what's the English word for the blue words? Leave a comment and tell me if you know all of them! 
en

3 comentarios:

  1. Rubén27/9/12, 14:33

    Thanks Belen for explain us the meaning of these words. It's so funny that constipated is "Estreñido" but someone can feel offesed if he/she is sneezing and you say "Are you constipated?".

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    Respuestas
    1. Belén27/9/12, 22:34

      Yes! I really like false friends because they are so confusing! They are usually veru difficult for Spanish students but once you learn them, it's very easy. Thanks for following me, Rubén!

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  2. Miguel Ángel28/11/14, 8:51

    I agree with you. This is a very useful section. False friends always are a source of problems. It woud be interesting to add more of them: comprehensive, ignore...

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