False cognates are Spanish words that look like the English word (or vice versa) but do not have the same meaning. It was mentioned in one the threads and I thought it might be beneficial to expand a bit for those who did not understand the term. My advice is never to assume the meaning when in doubt "look it up". I will start off with ten words and please feel free to add to the list. Here are some common false cognates:
1) Librer?a= book store (not library). Library in Spanish is "biblioteca".
2) Sensible= sensitive (not sensible). Sensible in Spanish is "sensato".
3) Copia= copy (as in a photocopy of something). A ?copy? of book or magazine in Spanish is "ejemplar".
4) Gol =goal (for sports). Goal (as in objective) in Spanish is "meta". (I have heard people say "este a?o tengo muchos goles").
5) Efectivo= cash money (not effective or efficient). Effective in Spanish is "eficaz". (This is a common error as well).
6) Cualidad= quality (as in characteristics of a person) Calidad = quality of goods or products.
7) Molestar= to bother someone and not "molest" with the English meaning.
8) Largo= long (not large). Large in Spanish is "grande" (This is a common error as well).
9) Avisar = to let some one know (not advise). To give advice is the verb "aconsejar".
10) Realizar= to accomplish something (not realize). To realize is the verb "darse cuenta".
LDG.
1) Librer?a= book store (not library). Library in Spanish is "biblioteca".
2) Sensible= sensitive (not sensible). Sensible in Spanish is "sensato".
3) Copia= copy (as in a photocopy of something). A ?copy? of book or magazine in Spanish is "ejemplar".
4) Gol =goal (for sports). Goal (as in objective) in Spanish is "meta". (I have heard people say "este a?o tengo muchos goles").
5) Efectivo= cash money (not effective or efficient). Effective in Spanish is "eficaz". (This is a common error as well).
6) Cualidad= quality (as in characteristics of a person) Calidad = quality of goods or products.
7) Molestar= to bother someone and not "molest" with the English meaning.
8) Largo= long (not large). Large in Spanish is "grande" (This is a common error as well).
9) Avisar = to let some one know (not advise). To give advice is the verb "aconsejar".
10) Realizar= to accomplish something (not realize). To realize is the verb "darse cuenta".
LDG.