False Friends List
As with the idiom list, this list of false friends is one you can break up into smaller chunks to memorize. It may also be helpful to print this and have it available while reading or translating. Add other false friends to the list as you read.
| actual + inf. | present, current |
| actualidad (f.) | present time, current affairs |
| actualmente | at present, nowadays, right now |
| aguardar | to wait |
| alumno/a | student |
| aproximarse | to approach |
| asesorar | to advise (in economic, legal, political matters) |
| asistir | to attend (an event), to be present |
| atender | to look after, to care for |
| avisar | to warn |
| casualidad (f.) | chance, coincidence |
| competencia | competition |
| collar (m.) | necklace/td> |
| compromiso | appointment, commitment |
| conferencia | conference, talk, lecture |
| congreso | conference |
| crudo | raw |
| cuerpo | body, body of work |
| demandar | to sue (also, “to demand”) |
| desgracia | misfortune |
| despacho | office |
| disgustar | to displease |
| distinto | different |
| divisar | to perceive, to make out, to discern |
| dormitorio | bedroom |
| editor/a | publisher (also, “editor” (context will help distinguish)) |
| editorial (f.) | publishing house |
| efectivo; en efectivo | cash; in cash |
| efectivamente | in fact, indeed, actually |
| equivocación (f.) | mistake |
| equivocarse | to make a mistake |
| éxito | success |
| experimentar (ie) | to experience (also, “to experiment”) |
| fin | purpose, goal, aim; end (to terminate something) |
| final | ending, end (as in a story); final, las |
| firma | signature) |
| gana | desire, hunger |
| gracioso | funny, amusing, charming |
| grosero | vulgar, rude |
| habitación (f.) | room |
| idioma (m.) | language |
| ignorar | not to know, to be ignorant of |
| intentar | to attempt, to try |
| largo | long |
| lectura | reading |
| limitar (con) | to border |
| marchar | to walk, to go |
| molestar | to bother |
| natural (n., m., f.) | native |
| noticia | piece of news, information |
| pariente (n., m., f.) | relative |
| particular | private |
| pasar | to suffer (also, to pass, to spend [time]) |
| patrón/-ona | chief, boss |
| planta; planta baja | ground floor (of a building); first floor |
| presenciar | to witness |
| pretender | to claim, to try, to intend |
| principio | beginning |
| procurar | to try, to endeavor, to seek |
| proporcionar | to give, to furnish, to provide |
| propósito | purpose, intention, plan |
| quitarle a (alguien) | to take away from (someone), to remove |
| realizar | to achieve (also, to realize [e.g., a dream)] |
| reclamar | to demand, to claim |
| el recurso | resource, means, pretext |
| registrart | to search, to examine, to inspec |
| renta | income, revenue (also, rent) |
| renunciar | to resign |
| rudo | rough, course, ordinary |
| salto | jump, leap |
| sano | healthy |
| sensible | sensitive |
| simpatizar (con) | to get along well (with), to hit it off (with) |
| solicitar | to apply for (also, to ask for, to solicit) |
| soportar | to endure, to bear, to stand, to put up with |
| sostener (ie)) | to support, to hold up, to prop up (also, to sustain |
| suburbio | slum (also, suburb) |
| suceder | to happen |
| suceso | event |
| violar | to rape (also, to violate) |
| vista | sight, vision (also, view) |
| vulgar | common, ordinary |
