Common False Cognates In Spanish

False cognates, or amigos falsos in Spanish, are words that look and sound similar in both languages but have very different meanings.  Most Spanish learners who have spent any amount of time speaking to Spanish natives probably have at least a few funny stories about embarrassing (NB:  embarazada means “pregnant,” not “embarrassed!”) situations brought on by unthinkingly using a false friend in the wrong context.  Here are some of the more common false cognates you might run in to.

Actual – Actual means “current” as it relates to time in Spanish, as in “He is currently driving (El está conduciendo actualmente).”  It never means “actual” in the English sense of the word i.e. “Is he actually going to do that?”

Embarazada – Embarazada means “pregnant”, not “embarrassed!”  Use tiene vergüenza instead if you want to convey embarrassment.

Caliente – Caliente is a border-line case because it does mean “hot” in many cases; however, when referring to human beings it usually takes on a strong sexual connotation.  If you blurt out “Estoy caliente” don’t be surprised if you get a few inappropriate offers, because what you just said isn’t that the room temperature is making you hot.  What you actually implied is “I’m hot (for you).”

Americano – An Americano in Spanish is anybody from the Americas (including North, South, and Central America), not just those born in the United States.  Many Spanish-speakers will take it as an insult if you imply otherwise.  To say you are from the United States, you can say either “Estoy de los Estados Unidos” or “Estoy norteamericano,” which technically includes Canada.

Asistir – Means “to attend” or “be present,” as in “I attended a meeting this morning.”  It never means “to assist” in the English sense.  For that, use atender.  Speaking of which…

Atender – Atender means “to attend to.”  To say you attended an event, use asistir above.  These two verbs are among the most often confused in the entire Spanish language.

En absoluto – Means “absolutely not”, which is the exact opposite of what you would expect.  To convey the meaning of “absolutely,” use totalmente.

Decepcionar – Means “to disappoint,” not “to deceive.”  To deceive someone, you would use “engañar a alguien.”

Emotionante – Means “exciting” as in “That was an exciting game!”  To say something was emotional, stick to “emocional.”

Sopa – Means “soup.”  Soap is “jabón.”