False Friends

In English, actual means real or factual, while in Spanish actual means current or present. Use real or factual to translate English actual when needed.

English assist means to help, but Spanish asistir normally means to attend (an event, class, etc.). To say help in Spanish use ayudar. This distinction matters in contexts like meetings or medical care.

English carpet is a floor covering, while Spanish carpeta is a folder or binder. Don’t use carpeta to refer to a rug. For a rug in Spanish use alfombra.

English library is a place where you borrow books; Spanish librería is a bookstore. To say library in Spanish use biblioteca. This difference affects directions and where you get books.

English attend means to be present at an event, while Spanish atender means to assist or serve someone. Don’t translate attend as atender when you mean to go to a class or meeting.

English resume (noun) is a document listing your work experience; Spanish resumen is a summary. The Spanish word for resume is currículum or currículum vitae. Mixing these can confuse job applications.

English eventually means in the end or after some time; Spanish eventualmente usually means possibly or occasionally. Use finalmente or al final to translate English eventually when referring to sequence.

English sensible means practical or reasonable; Spanish sensible means sensitive (easily affected emotionally). To say sensible in the English sense use sensato in Spanish. This affects descriptions of people and decisions.

False friends tempt you to translate literally but lead to meaning errors. Pay attention to each word’s usage in context and learn the common pairs that cause problems. When in doubt, consult a dictionary or ask for examples.