10 “False Friends” That Confuse Any English Learner

Learning English has its pitfalls... and one of the most common is false friends: words that look very similar to Spanish but mean something completely different.

Falling into these traps can be funny... or very awkward. But don't worry: here's a clear guide to 10 very common false friends, their real meaning, typical mistakes, and how to use them correctly.

Get ready to never say ‘I'm constipated’ again when you just have a slight cold. 😉

1️⃣ Actually ≠ Actualmente

❌ Common mistake: ‘Actually, I live in Madrid.’ (as if you were saying ‘Actualmente vivo en Madrid’).✅ Real meaning: Actually means ‘in fact’.✔️ Correct: ‘Actually, I live in Madrid’ = ‘In fact, I live in Madrid’.

📌 ‘Actualmente’ in English is currently.

2️⃣ Embarrassed ≠ Pregnant

❌ Common mistake: ‘I'm embarrassed’ thinking it means ‘I'm pregnant’.

✅ Real meaning: Embarrassed = ashamed.✔️ Correct: ‘I was so embarrassed after falling in front of everyone.’

📌 ‘Pregnant’ is said pregnant.

3️⃣ Sensible ≠ Sensitive

❌ Common mistake: ‘She's a very sensible person’ meaning she is emotional.

✅ Real meaning: Sensible = sensible, rational.✔️ Correct: ‘She's very sensible, she always makes smart decisions.’

📌 ‘Sensible’ in Spanish is translated as sensitive.

4️⃣ Library ≠ Bookshop

❌ Common mistake: ‘I bought this book at the library’ (no, you didn't buy it there).

✅ Real meaning: Library = biblioteca (place to read or borrow books).✔️ Correct: ‘I borrowed the book from the library.’

📌 ‘Librería’ is said bookshop.

5️⃣ Constipated ≠ Constipado

❌ Common mistake: ‘I'm constipated’ if you only have nasal congestion. 😅

✅ Real meaning: Constipated = estreñido.✔️ Correct: ‘I'm constipated, I haven't gone to the bathroom in days.’

📌 ‘Constipado’ in English would be I have a cold or I'm congested.

6️⃣ Realise ≠ Realizar

❌ Common mistake: ‘I realised a project’ as if it were ‘I carried out a project’.

✅ Real meaning: Realise = to become aware.✔️ Correct: ‘I realised I left my phone at home.’

📌 ‘Realizar’ in this case would be carry out, do, or complete.

7️⃣ Assist ≠ Asistir

❌ Common mistake: ‘I assisted the event yesterday.’

✅ Real meaning: Assist = to help.✔️ Correct: ‘The nurse assisted the doctor during surgery.’

📌 ‘Asistir a un evento’ is said as attend.

8️⃣ Pretend ≠ Pretender

❌ Common mistake: ‘I pretend to study abroad’ (no, you're not pretending).

✅ Actual meaning: Pretend = to feign.✔️ Correct: ‘Children love to pretend they're superheroes.’

📌 ‘Pretender’ (to want) is said as intend to or want to.

9️⃣ Rope ≠ Clothes

❌ Common mistake: ‘I bought some rope at the mall’ (we hope you didn't mean a coat).

✅ Real meaning: Rope = cord.✔️ Correct: ‘He tied the box with a rope.’

📌 ‘Clothes’ is said clothes.

🔟 Exit ≠ Success

❌ Common mistake: ‘He had a big exit in his career.’

✅ Real meaning: Exit = salida.✔️ Correct: ‘Please use the emergency exit.’

📌 ‘Success’ is said as success.

False friends, real mistakes... but easy to correct

False friends are common pitfalls, but once you know them, you won't forget them. Integrating them into your vocabulary will help you communicate more confidently and avoid misunderstandings.

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