30 Common False Spanish Cognates
Cognates are words in different languages that have the same origin or root. They might be spelled similarly or exactly the same.
Cognates can be incredibly helpful when you’re learning a new language. For example, there are hundreds of Spanish words you already know if you speak English (like animal, cultural, revisión, and social). Learning these as a beginner is a great way to fast track your progress with a new language.
But...beware of false cognates! When you’re conversing with a Spanish speaker, it’s likely you’ll get tripped up a few times by saying words that don't mean what you think they mean. Make sure to learn this list of common ones to avoid confusion.
Advertencia
Looks like: Advertisement
Actually means: Warning
How to say advertisement in Spanish: Anuncio
Asistir
Looks like: Assist
Actually means: Attend
How to say assist in Spanish: Ayudar
Campo
Looks like: Camp
Actually means: Countryside
How to say camp in Spanish: Campamento
Cara
Looks like: Car
Actually means: Face
How to say car in Spanish: Coche
Carpeta
Looks like: Carpet
Actually means: Folder
How to say carpet in Spanish: Alfombra
Codo
Looks like: Code
Actually means: Elbow
How to say code in Spanish: Código
Comprensivo
Looks like: Comprehensive
Actually means: Understanding
How to say comprehensive in Spanish: Exhaustivo
Constipado
Looks like: Constipated
Actually means: Having a cold
How to say constipated in Spanish: Estreñido
Contestar
Looks like: Contest
Actually means: To answer
How to say contest in Spanish: Concurso
Costumbre
Looks like: Costume
Actually means: Habit
How to say costume in Spanish: Disfraz
Disgusto
Looks like: Disgust
Actually means: Displeasure or misfortune
How to say disgust in Spanish: Asco or repugnancia
Embarazada
Looks like: Embarrassed
Actually means: Pregnant
How to say embarrassed in Spanish: Avergonzado
Enviar
Looks like: To envy
Actually means: To send
How to say to envy in Spanish: Envidiar
Éxito
Looks like: Exit
Actually means: Success
How to say exit in Spanish: Salida
Fábrica
Looks like: Fabric
Actually means: Factory
How to say fabric in Spanish: Tela or tejido
Injuria
Looks like: Injury
Actually means: Insult
How to say injury in Spanish: Herida, lesión
Introducir
Looks like: To introduce
Actually means: Insert
How to say to introduce in Spanish: Presentar
Largo
Looks like: Large
Actually means: Long
How to say large in Spanish: Grande
Molestar
Looks like: To molest
Actually means: To bother
How to say to molest in Spanish: Agredir
Mayor
Looks like: Mayor
Actually means: Higher, bigger
How to say mayor in Spanish: Alcalde
Mano
Looks like: Man
Actually means: Hand
How to say man in Spanish: Hombre
Nombre
Looks like: Number
Actually means: Name
How to say number in Spanish: Número
Pariente
Looks like: Parent
Actually means: Relative
How to say parent in Spanish: Padre, Madre
Realizar
Looks like: To realize
Actually means: Perform
How to say to realize in Spanish: Darse cuenta
Recordar
Looks like: To record
Actually means: To remember
How to say to record in Spanish: Grabar, registrar
Remover
Looks like: To remove
Actually means: To stir
How to say to remove in Spanish: Eliminar, quitar
Sensible
Looks like: Sensible
Actually means: Sensitive
How to say sensible in Spanish: Sensato
Sin
Looks like: Sin
Actually means: Without
How to say sin in Spanish: Pecado
Sopa
Looks like: Soap
Actually means: Soup
How to say soup in Spanish: Jabón
Vacunar
Looks like: To vacuum
Actually means: To vaccinate
How to say to vacuum in Spanish: Aspirar
We haven't listed every false cognate here (there are many), but start with these and you should avoid a lot of confusing moments. Buena suerte!