​Funny False Friends: Similar Sounds, Different Meanings​

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Ever found yourself in a hilarious language mix-up, dear Linguaholic?

That’s the charm of false friends – words that sound alike in different languages but mean totally different things.

These look-alikes can lead to funny misunderstandings.

Ready to laugh and learn?

Well, let’s jump on in!

1. Embarrassed (English) vs. Embarazada (Spanish)

• Embarrassed: Feeling awkward or ashamed.
• Embarazada: Pregnant.
• Example: “He said he was ’embarazada’ in front of the class!”

2. Gift (English) vs. Gift (German)

• Gift: A present.
• Gift: Poison.
• Example: “Don’t accept any ‘Gift’ in Germany!”

3. Parent (English) vs. Parente (French)

• Parent: Mother or father.
• Parente: Relative.
• Example: “I told my French friend that my ‘parents’ were coming over, and she thought I had a huge family reunion planned!”

4. Actual (English) vs. Aktuell (German)

• Actual: Real, existing.
• Aktuell: Current, up-to-date.
• Example: “I asked for the ‘actual’ news and got yesterday’s update instead.”

5. Preservative (English) vs. Préservatif (French)

• Preservative: A substance used to preserve food.
• Préservatif: Condom.
• Example: “She was shocked when I asked if the jam had ‘préservatifs’.”

6. Library (English) vs. Librería (Spanish)

• Library: A place where books are borrowed.
• Librería: Bookstore.
• Example: “I asked for the ‘library’ and was directed to buy books instead.”

7. Chef (English) vs. Chef (French)

• • Chef: A professional cook.
  • Chef: Boss or leader.
  • Example: “I said my ‘chef’ was great, and they thought I had an amazing boss!”

8. Sensible (English) vs. Sensible (Spanish)

• Sensible: Practical and reasonable.
• Sensible: Sensitive.
• Example: “I said he’s very ‘sensible’, and they thought he was overly emotional.”

9. Eventual (English) vs. Eventuel (French)

• Eventual: Happening at some future time.
• Eventuel: Possible.
• Example: “We discussed ‘eventual’ plans, and they were confused about the certainty.”

10. Fabric (English) vs. Fábrica (Spanish)

• Fabric: Material.
• Fábrica: Factory.
• Example: “I wanted some ‘fabric’, and they pointed me to an industrial area!”

11. Assist (English) vs. Assister (French)

• Assist: To help.
• Assister: To attend.
• Example: “I said I’d ‘assist’ the meeting, and they waited for me to help set up.”

12. Sympathetic (English) vs. Sympathique (French)

• Sympathetic: Feeling compassion.
• Sympathique: Nice, friendly.
• Example: “I called her ‘sympathique’ and she thought I was being overly empathetic.”

13. Brave (English) vs. Bravo (Spanish)

• Brave: Courageous.
• Bravo: Angry.
• Example: “I told him he was ‘bravo’, and he got even angrier!”

14. Pan (English) vs. Pan (Spanish)

• Pan: A cooking utensil.
• Pan: Bread.
• Example: “Asked for ‘pan’ to cook, got a loaf of bread instead!”

15. Gross (English) vs. Gros (French)

• Gross: Disgusting.
• Gros: Big, fat.