Original post by HelpfulDuo | Archived post
In previous posts we discussed cognates, words that are similar and share the same meaning across different languages, and false cognates (aka "false friends"), words that look and sound alike in two languages but have different meanings.
Here we introduce you to a third category: words that can be BOTH cognates and false cognates. These look/sound alike and share the same meaning, but they also have at least one additional meaning that doesn't apply in the other language.
| Portuguese word | evident meaning | can also mean | watch out! |
|---|---|---|---|
| agenda | agenda (schedule) | notebook; diary | does not mean a plan based on ideology |
| argumento | argument (case/point) | ----- | does not mean altercation / disagreement |
| assumir | assume (take over) | ----- | does not mean to suppose / presume |
| atender | attend (a patient) | answer phone | does not apply to being present at an event |
| canal | canal (watercourse) | TV channel; medium | ----- |
| capital | capital (city; punishment) | ----- | does not mean uppercase letter |
| colar | collar (necklace) | to glue; cheat on test | does not apply to shirt collar or dog collar |
| combinar | combine (mix) | arrange (i.e. meetings) match (i.e. clothes) | ----- |
| contente | content (happy) | ----- | does not mean things that are contained within sometning else |
| contestar | contest (reply; challenge) | ----- | does not mean competition |
| costa | coast | ----- | the plural costas can also mean "back" (dorsal) |
| data | date (i.e. May 11) | ----- | not to be confused with "data"; does not mean date (romantic) |
| discussão | discussion | argument; altercation | ----- |
| elaborar | elaborate (develop) | ----- | does not mean to explain in detail; for the adjective, use elaborado |
| eventualmente | eventually | ----- | usually connotes uncertainty (i.e. "possibly") |
| general | general (i.e. military) | ----- | does not mean general as in prevalent / generic |
| história | history | story | ----- |
| jornal | journal (newspaper) | TV news program | does not mean "diary" or "specialized magazine" |
| letra | letter (of alphabet) | lyrics | does not mean letter as in a written message or mail |
| medicina | medicine (i.e. school of) | ----- | does not mean medication or drugs |
| música | music | song | can also refer to a female musician |
| notebook | notebook (computer) | ----- | does not mean a book for taking notes |
| par | par | even (number) | ----- |
| plano | plan | flat (surface) | ----- |
| planta | plant | floorplan | ----- |
| realizar | realize (i.e. a dream) | carry out | does not mean realize as in "become aware" |
| recorde | record (feat) | ----- | does not apply to the verb "record" |
| relativo | relative (dependent on sth. else) | ----- | does not mean relative as in family member |
| reunião | reunion | meeting | usually refers to business meeting |
| sensível | sensitive | ----- | does not mean sensible as in level-headed |
| sujeito | subject | ----- | does not mean subject as in topic |
| tráfico | traffic (of drugs) | ----- | does not mean "traffic jam" |
| trânsito | transit (conveyance) | traffic (i.e. of cars) | mostly used to mean "traffic jam" |
Practice your Portuguese!
Can you think of any other words to add to the list above? If so, share them in the comments below. If not, tell us which of these surprised you the most and why.
Want more Portuguese language tips? Check out our full list of posts for Portuguese learners.
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