False Friends

In English, actual means real or true, while Spanish actual refers to something current or present. Use real or verdadero to translate English actual when meaning "genuine."

English assist ("to help") corresponds to Spanish ayudar, whereas Spanish asistir typically means "to attend" an event. Use ayudar for help and asistir for attending.

English embarrassed ("ashamed or self-conscious") translates to Spanish avergonzado. Spanish embarazada means "pregnant," so do not confuse them. Use avergonzado for embarrassment and embarazada for pregnancy.

English library ("place for books") is Spanish biblioteca, while Spanish librería is a bookstore. Use biblioteca for library and librería for bookstore to avoid mix-ups.

English attend ("to be present at") is Spanish asistir when followed by a and an event. Spanish atender means "to attend to" or "to help" someone. Use asistir for attendance and atender for service or care.

English actually ("in fact" or "really") translates to Spanish en realidad or de hecho. Spanish actualmente means "currently," so do not use it for actually. Use en realidad for emphasis or correction.

English rope is Spanish cuerda or soga, while Spanish robar means "to steal." Do not confuse rope with robar. Use cuerda or soga for rope and robar for steal.

English exit ("way out") is Spanish salida, and Spanish éxito means "success." Use salida for exit signs and éxito for achievement to avoid errors.

English grocery or grocery store is Spanish tienda de comestibles or supermercado. Spanish grosería means "rudeness" or "an insult." Use tienda de comestibles or supermercado for grocery and avoid grosería.

False friends trick learners when similar-looking words have different meanings across English and Spanish; double-check each key term in context. Remember that Spanish actual means current, asistir is to attend, avergonzado is embarrassed, biblioteca is library, en realidad is actually, cuerda is rope, salida is exit, and tienda de comestibles is grocery.