Five False Friends

English and Spanish have many words that sound or look the same but the meanings are not the same.  This can create great confusion as people think they know what is being said but in fact their interlocutor is trying to communicate something completely different.

Every week at Fresh Ideas International Training we will put up another set of 5 false friends to help you avoid problems when communicating with people in English or Spanish....

Week 2

1. Advise:  aconsejar.

It is not:  Avisar:  Notificar which translates as:  To warn, to let someone know

I gave him a warning not to do it again.

The post office left a note saying they had the package.

I receive good advice from my parents.

I’m not telling you to do it, I’m simple advising you.

2. Comprehensive:  Completo

It is not:  Comprensivo:  which translates as:  understanding

That is a very comprehensive agreement, it covers all areas.

When I was ill, my boss was very understanding and did not put me under pressure.

3. Sensible:  Sensato, Práctico

It is not:  Sensible (capaz de sentir): which translates as: sensitive

The sensible thing would be to go to be now and get a good night’s sleep, the crazy thing would be to go to a party until 5 o’clock in the morning.

He is a very sensitive person and cries whenever there is a sad film.

She is very sensitive to change and notices the moment that something has been moved in her office.

4. Experiment: hacer experimentos (Noun and verb:Experiment)

It does not mean: experimentar/sentir:  which translates as experience.  (Noun and verb, experience)

In that laboratory they experiment on rats.

I have some great experiences on my trips to Vietnam.

5. Inhabitable:  habitable

It does not mean: inhabitable which translates as uninhabitable.

That area is uninhabitable since the nuclear leak.

That city has 12,000 inhabitants.

Week 1

1. Advertise:  Anunciar (publicidad).
 
It is not: Advertir:  Aviso! Which translates into English as: To warn.

The teacher warned him not to do it again.

They advertise their services in the local newspaper

2. Carpet:  Moqueta/alfombra

It is not:  Carpeta:  which translates into English as:  folder.

The boy put the sheets into his folder.

They had to get a cleaning company in to clean the carpet after someone spilt wine on it.

3. Deception:  mentiras/engaño

It is not: decepción:  which translates as disappointment.

The boy was very disappointed when his team lost.

The father was very disappointed in his son when he found his drinking alcohol at home.

Spies have to be experts at deception.

4. Editorial:  Articulo de fondo (en un periodico).

It is not: Editorial: which translates as: Publisher or publishing Company.

Today’s editorial was a very interesting article about the war in Syria.

What is the Publisher that has the Harry Potter books?

5. Formal: ceremonioso, oficial, de etiqueta.

It does not mean:  formal (de confiar) which translates as: reliable.

She is a very reliable person so we know she will have the work done on time.

For that event it is necessary to wear formal clothes.

You should be very formal in your language when speaking to those officials.