Original post by HelpfulDuo | Archived post
In a previous post we talked about cognates, words that are similar and share the same meaning across different languages. But not all words that look and sound alike mean the same thing. We call these tricky words false cognates, or false friends.
Here are some examples to watch out for:
Portuguese word | looks like | actually means | complementary info |
---|---|---|---|
adepto | adept | adherent; proponent | adept = competente; hábil |
aliás | alias | in fact; actually | alias = nome falso; pseudônimo |
amassar | amass | crumple; dent | amass = acumular |
arma | arm | weapon; gun | arm = braço |
atual | actual | current | actual = real; verdadeiro |
boate | boat | nightclub | boat = barco |
brando | brand | mild | brand = marca |
cigarro | cigar | cigarette | cigar = charuto |
colégio | college | school | college = faculdade |
compreensivo | comprehensive | understanding | comprehensive = abrangente |
compromisso | compromise | commitment | compromise (concede) = ceder; meio-termo; compromise (cause trouble) = comprometer |
conserto | concert | repair | concert (show) = concerto; show |
deserto | dessert | desert | dessert = sobremesa |
embaraçado | embarrassed | mixed in disorderly fashion; complicated | embarrassed = envergonhado |
esquisito | exquisite | strange | exquisite = requintado; primoroso |
excitante | exciting | arousing | exciting = empolgante |
êxito | exit | success | exit = saída |
fábrica | fabric | factory | fabric = tecido; material |
gripe | grip | flu; cold | grip (verb) = empunhar; agarrar; grip (adherence) = aderência |
grosseria | grocery | rudeness; vulgarity | grocery = mercado; compras |
idioma | idiom | language | idiom = expressão idiomática |
ingênuo | ingenious | naive | ingenious = engenhoso |
lanche | lunch | snack | lunch = almoço |
legenda | legend | subtitles; photo caption | legend = lenda |
leitura | lecture | reading | lecture = palestra |
livraria | library | bookstore | library = biblioteca |
maior | mayor | bigger / biggest | mayor = prefeito |
motel | motel | a hotel intended for romantic encounters | motel = hotel à beira da estrada |
notícia | notice | piece of news | notice = perceber |
novela | novel | soap opera; telenovela | novel (book) = romance novel (new) = novo |
parentes | parents | relatives | parents = pais |
prejuízo | prejudice | damage; loss; harm | prejudice = preconceito |
pretender | pretend | plan; intend | pretend = fingir |
propaganda | propaganda | commercial; advertisement | propaganda = propaganda manipuladora |
puxar⁺⁺ | push | pull | push = empurrar |
quitar | quit | pay sth. off | quit = parar; deixar |
recordar | record | remember | record (verb) = gravar; record (feat) = recorde |
sopa | soap | soup | soap = sabão shower soap = sabonete |
ultimamente | ultimately | lately | ultimately = finalmente; |
⁺⁺Puxar is pronounced "pushar", therefore it is more similar to "push" in sound than spelling.
Practice you Portuguese!
Study the table above and never get these words mixed up again.
Have you ever been fooled by a false friend? Share your experience with us in the comments below!