Cognates:True,false,andinbetween

ByDr.JonAske,DepartmentofForeignLanguages,SalemStateUniversity
EnglishandSpanishshareagreatmanywordsfromcommonorigins,suchas
telfonoandtelephone,whichmakethelearningofSpanishmucheasierthan
learningotherlanguages.Wordsthathavethesameoriginarecalledcognates.
Inlinguisticsthetermcognatereferstonativewordsindifferentlanguagesthat
descendfromthesamewordinanearlier,parentlanguage,suchasEnglishfish
andSpanishpez,whichmayseemunrelatedatfirstsight,butarenot.Spanishpez
comesfromthewordpiscisinLatinandEnglishfishcomesfromthewordfiscinan
earlierprotoGermaniclanguage,alsofrom2000yearsago.Andthesefiscand
pisciscomefromyetanearlierform*piskinanearlierlanguagewecallProto
Indoeuropeanspokenatleast5000yearsago.
Inlanguageteaching,however,thetermcognatetypicallyreferstowordsthat
havethesameorigin,whateverthatmaybe,includingwordsthathavebeentaken
fromanotherlanguagethroughwhatsknownasborrowing.InthiswayEnglish
leaderandSpanishlder,whichcamefromEnglishthroughborrowing,wouldbe
cognatewords.ThewordcognateinEnglishandthewordcognadoinSpanish
wouldbecognatestoo,eventhoughbothlanguagesborrowedthewordfrom
anotherlanguage,namelyLatin!Yes,Spanishborrowedittoo,eventhough
SpanishisderivedfromLatin,sincetheoriginalLatinwordcognatushadmorphed
intothewordcuadobrotherinlawthroughthecenturies.Thisteachesusa
veryimportantlesson:thatlanguageschangethroughtimeandthattheirwords
canchangeinsound(cognatecuado)andmeaningtoo.
Throughoutitshistory,EnglishhasborrowedagreatmanywordsfromLatinand
LatinateorRomancelanguages(languagesthathaveevolvedfromLatin,the
languageorRome).ThebulkoftheSpanishvocabularydescendedorallyand
uninterruptedlyfromspoken(oral)Latinspoken2,000yearsago,givinguswords
likecuadofromLatincognatus,butithasalsoborrowedextensivelyfromwritten
Latininthepast1,000yearssinceSpanishbecameawrittenlanguage,muchlike
Englishhasandforthesamereason,toenrichitsvocabularytomakeitasrichas
Latins.(TheRomansdidittoowhentheyborrowedextensivelyfromAncient
Greekmorethan2,000yearsago.)Thisexplainswhytherearesomanysimilar
wordsinEnglishandSpanishwithverysimilarshapesandmeanings,suchas
SpanisheducarandEnglisheducateor,aswesaw,cognateandcognado.
NotallLatinwordsinEnglishweretakenfromwrittenLatin,however.Sometimes
thecognatewordturnsouttohavereachedEnglishthroughoraltransmission.A
fewofthesecamefromthetimewhentheancestorsofEnglishspeakerslivedas
neighborsoftheRomansinEurope.Thusthewordwinewasborrowedalong
withthebeveragefromtheLatinwordvinus(pronouncedwinusinLatin).Until
the17thcenturyEnglishspeakerspronouncedthewordwineasweene,another
1

exampleofsoundchange.MostoftheorallytransmittedwordsthatEnglsihgot
fromLatincamealongwhentheFrenchspeakingNormansinvadedEnglandin
1,066.
Orallytransmittedwordsmaynotbeeasilyrecognizabletotheuntrainedeyefrom
theirwrittenLatincounterparts,aswesawintheexampleofcognatusandcuado
inSpanish.InEnglish,too,wefindwordslikesurvey,whichcomesfromLatin
supervisare,takenfromspokenNormanFrenchabout1000yearsago.English,of
course,alsohasthecognatesupervise,whichcomesfromwrittenLatinandis
muchclosertotheoriginal.
LatinatewordsinEnglishtakenfromwrittenLatinarecalledclassicalorlearned
words(inSpanishtheyrecalledpalabrascultasorcultismos).Latinatewordsthat
havecomedowntousthroughoraltransmissionandaremuchaltered,areknown
aspopularwords(inSpanishtheyrecalledpalabraspatrimoniales).
LatinwordsdidntalwaysreplacenativeEnglishwords,soinEnglishweoftenhave
doubletsofwords,suchasgoin(Germanic)andenter(Latinate).Sometimesthe
LatinatewordisfancierthantheGermaniconeand,ifSpanishhasacognate,it
maybethefancyEnglishwordsSpanishcognateisamoreordinaryword.
Cognatesdonotalwayshavethesamemeaning,though,andSpanishlearnersare
alwayswarnedtowatchoutforfalsefriends,wordsthatlookorsoundalike,but
whichdonothavethesamemeaningandthuscauselearnersproblems.
Sometimestwowordslookalikenotbecauseofanycommonorigin,butbecause
ofmerecoincidence,suchasEnglishpieandSpanishpiefoot,orEnglishnude
andSpanishnudoknot,orblindandblindartoarmor,oronceandonce
eleven.Thesewordsarenotcognates,butjustmerecuriosities.
Moreoftenthannottheproblemstemsfromthefactthattwowordsdohavethe
sameorigin,butthroughtheagesthemeaninghaschangedforoneorbothof
thewords.Wesometimescallthesefalsecognatesorfalsefriends.Thisiswhat
wewillbelookingatinthesepages.
However,whatseemtobefalsecognatestotheuntrainedeye,atsecondglance
arereallynotsofalse,ifwehappentoknowsomethingabouttheoriginalmeaning
andaboutthehistoryoftheword.Thepointofthishandoutistolookintothe
natureofthesesocalledfalsefriendsandseewhatwecanlearnfromthe
differencesandmaybeevenmakepairsofwordsseemfriendliertoeachother.
SometimesEnglishSpanishbilingualsstartusingaSpanishfalsecognatewiththe
meaningthatithasinEnglishbutwhichitneverhadinSpanish.Learnersof
Spanisharesometimesguiltyofthis,butsoarenativeSpanishspeakerswhoalso
speakEnglish.ThisresultsinmanyexamplesofwhatiscalledSpanglish:for
exampleusingaplicarinSpanishtomeanapplyinthesenseofapplyingforajobor
ascholarship.
Thefollowinglistcontainsagreatmanyofthesefalseandsemifalsefriends.

Thefirstword(blue)istheSpanishoneandthesecondone(green)theEnglishone.

Absoluto(&absolutamente)vsAbsolute(&absolutely)<Lat.absoltus
unconditional,pastparticipleofabsolveretoloosen,setfree,absolve
Absolutomeansabsolute,utter,complete,butenabsolutomeansnotatall,by
nomeans,noway.
Absolute=absoluto.Absolutely=completamente,totalmente,absolutamente.
TheinterjectionAbsolutely!=Claro!Porsupuesto!Sinduda!Sinlugara
dudas!
ActualvsActual<LateLat.actualisactive,practical<Lat.actusact,action,
performance
Actualmeanscurrentorpresent:ElpresidenteactualviveenMadridThe
currentpresidentlivesinMadrid.Actualmentemeanscurrently,atpresent,or
now.
Actualmeansverdaderoorefectivo.Actuallycanbetranslatedbyrealmente,
enrealidad,orenefecto.
AdvertenciavsAdvertisement:nounsderivedfromLat.ad+verteretoturn
to/towards
Advertenciaisawarning,pieceofadvice,reminder,orpreface;theverbis
advertirandithastwosensestowarnandtonotice
Advertisement=unanuncio.
AgonavsAgony<LateLat.agonia<Gk.agniastruggle
Agona=deaththroes,dyingmoments.
Agonyreferstoterriblephysicalormentalpain:doloragudo,angustia.
AlteradovsAltered<Med.Lat.alteraretomakeother<Lat.altertheother
Alteradocanmeanchangedoralteredaswellasangryorupset.
Altered=modificado,cambiado,alterado.
AmericanovsAmerican[America=thecontinentvs.America=theUSA]
AmericanousuallyreferstoanyonefromtheAmericancontinent.
American=estadounidense(adjectiveofEstadosUnidosUnitedStates)
AplicarvsApply<Lat.applicarejoin,fix,orattachto<ad+plicfold,twist
together
Aplicarmeanstoapplysomething,likepaint,acream,atheory,orsanctions.
Applicationreferstotheactofapplyingoneofthesethings.
Apply=aplicarwhenitisatransitiveverb;therelatednounapplicationthen
translatesasaplicacin.Asanintransitiveverb,ithasmanytranslations:apply
forajobsolicitaruntrabajo(noun:solitudeapplication);toapplyoneselfto
isaplicarse;toapplyinthesenseofbeapplicableisseraplicableor
corresponder,referirse.
3

ApologavsApology
Apologareferstodefenseoraeulogy.
Apology=unadisculpaorexcusa.
AprobarvsApprove
Aprobarmeanstoapprove(of),consentto,orendorse,aswellastopassatest
orclass.
Approve=aprobar,parecerbien,estardeacuerdo,darelvistobueno;
acreditar
ArenavsArena<Lat.arenasand
Arenameanssand.
Arena=anfiteatro,redondel,plaza.Romanarenaswerecoveredwithsand,like
bullrings(plazasdetoros)nowadays.
ArgumentovsArgument<Lat.argumentumproof,evidence,token,subject,
contents<argueretoprove,argue
Argumentomeansargumentinthesenseofreasoning(asinacourtroom).
Argumentinthesenseofdisagreementtranslatesasunadiscusin,pelea,
disputa,orpolmica.
AsesinovsAssassin<Arabichaanhashishusers
Asesinocanrefertoanassassinaswellasnonpoliticalmurdererorkiller.It's
alsoanadjective:murderous,e.g.criminalasesinomurderouscriminal.
Assassin=asesino.
AsistenciavsAssistance<Lat.assistere<ad+sistercausetostand
Asistenciausuallymeansattendance,thoughitcanalsomeanassistanceasin
prestarasistenciaprovidehelp.
Assistanceismostcommonlytranslatedbyayudaorauxilio.
AsistirvsAssist<Lat.assistere<ad+sistercausetostand
Asistirmeanstoattend.
Assisttranslatesasayudar.
AtendervsAttend<Lat.attenderetostretchtoward,giveheedto<ad+
tendere
AtendercanmeantoattendinLatinAmerica,butinSpainitmeanstopay
attentionto,toheed,ortocarefor.
Attend=asistir.
AutorvsAuthor<Lat.auctor(n.)<augeretoincrease,originate
Autorcanrefertoanauthororwriteraswellasthecreatorofsomething,such
asapainting,ortheperpetratorofacrime(elautordelcrimen).
Authornearlyalwaysindicatesawriter:unautor,unaautora.

BachilleratovsBachelor<Lat.Med.baccalaureatus<baccalaureus<baccalarius
youngmanaspiringtoknighthood<baccalaurilaurelberry(symbolofvictory)
BachilleratoistheequivalentofahighschooldiplomaintheUSorAlevelsin
theUK;unbachillerisapersonwithsuchadegree(ratherarchaic).
Bachelorreferstoanunmarriedman:unsoltero.Abachelor'sdegreeisuna
licenciatura.
BillnvsBillion(CoinedbyJehanAdamin1475)
BillninSpanish,likeinmostoftheworld,isamillionmillion
(1,000,000,000,000),whichisatrillionintheUS(butabillioninUK).
Billion,foranAmerican=milmillones:1,000,000,000.
BlancovsBlank<Germanicblankgleaming,white,blinding
BlancoisusuallytheSpanishwordforthecolorwhitebutcaninsomeinstances
betranslatedbyblank:unapginaenblancoablanksheetofpaper.
Blankisanadjectivemeaningenblanco,liso,orsinadorno.
BufetevsBuffet<Frenchbuffet<?Med.Lat.bufetumboard,cupboard,counter
Bufeteisadeskoralawyer'soffice.
Buffetreferstounacantina,unbuffetlibre,orunacomidabuffet.
CmaravsCamera<Lat.camerachamberorbedchamber<Greek
kamaraanythingwithanarchedcover
Cmaracanmeanacamera,acameraoperator,orachamber.InMexico
recmaraisanotherwordforbedroom(orthefurnituretherein).
Camerausuallyreferstoastillcamera:unacmara,unamquinafotogrfica.
AnEnglishcognatewordthatcamethroughFrenchischamber.
CampovsCamp<Lat.campusopenfield,levelplain
Campomeanscountry(side)andfield.
Campreferstouncampamentoandsometimesbando(asinfromthesame
camp)
CargovsCargo<LateLat.carricaretoload<carrusfourwheeledwagon
Cargoreferstoapostorpositionaswellasachargeinthesenseof
responsibility:hacersecargodetotakecharge,estaralcargotobein
charge;andfinancesandlaw:sincargofreeofcharge,retirarloscargos
contratodropthechargesagainst.
Cargo=cargamento,carga.EnglishgotcargofromSpanishcargaload,from
cargartoload.AnEnglishcognatewordthatcamefromFrenchischarge.
CarpetavsCarpet<OldItaliancarpitahairyblanket
Carpeta=folder(computerorotherwise);alsorecordjacket/sleeveandafew
otherlocalizedmeanings.SpanishgotthiswordfromFrenchcarpettesmall
tapestryorcarpet
Carpetisunaalfombraorunamoqueta.
5

CarreravsCareer<Lat.<LateLat.carrria<carrus'wheeledvehicle'.
Carrerausuallyreferstorunning,race;acareer;oruniversitystudies.
Careerindicatesunacarreraprofesionalorunaprofesin.
CartavsCart/Card<Lat.charta<AncientGreekkhartspapyrus,paper
Cartareferstoa(postal)letter,document,deed,charter,map,ormenu.
Acardisusuallyunatarjeta:postalcard=tarjetapostal;creditcard=tarjetade
crdito.Aplayingcardisunacarta(jugaralascartas=playcards).Cartis
accidentallysimilartocartaandittranslatesasuncarro,unacarreta,un
carretn,orunacarretilla
ChocarvsChoke<?
Chocarnormallymeanstoshockorstartle(aperson),tocollide(twovehicles),
toclink(glasses)ortoshake(hands).ItprobablycomesthroughFrenchfrom
ProtoGermanic*skukjanan,*skukanantojoltandisakintoEnglishshock.
Choke=sofocarseoratragantarse.<OldEnglish*c*ocian,from,perfective
prefix+coce,cacejaw,cheek
ColegiovsCollege<Lat.collegiumsociety<collgacolleague,partner,
associate,fellow
Colegioreferstoahighschool,usuallyprivate.ApublichighschoolinSpainis
uninstituto.
Collegecanbetranslatedbycolegioonlywhenitrefersto"colleges"asin
divisionsofaschool.Otherwise,college=universidadorescuelasuperior.
ColoradovsColored<pastparticipleofLat.colrrepaint,color<Lat.color
color
Coloradomeansredorreddish,esp.intheface:estscoloradoyoureredin
theface.
Colored=decolor.
ComplexinvsComplexion<Lat.complexionacombination,connection,period
<complexus,pastparticipleofcomplecti,toentwine,encompass
Complexinreferstoone'sconstitution,makeup,temperament,orphysical
build.
Complexion(quality,colour,orappearanceofskinontheface)=latez,elcutiz,
orlapiel.
Compromiso(&comprometer)vsCompromise<LateLat.compromissuma
compromise,originallyamutualpromisetorefertoarbitration<compromissus,
pastparticipleofcompromitteretomakeamutualpromisetoabidebythe
decisionofanarbiter<comtogether+promitteretopromise
Compromisoisanobligation,commitment,promise,oragreement.
Compromiseishardtotranslatewithoneword;asanounitcanbeexpressed
asunaavenencia,unacuerdomutuo,unasconcesionesrecprocas,oruna
solucinintermedia;unasolucindecompromiso.Theverbwouldtranslateas
6

llegaraunacuerdomutuo,llegaraunarreglo.Comprometertranslatesthe
othersenseofcompromise,namelythatofendangeringorputtinginadifficult
situation,committingsomeonetosomething.
ConductorvsConductor<Med.Lat.conductus,past.part.ofcondcerelead,
bringordrawtogether,fromcon+dclead
Conductorequalsconductorwhenreferringtoscience:unconductorde
electricidadconductorofelectricity.ItcanalsomeanadriveroraTVorradio
presenter.
Conductorofanorchestraisun(a)director(a),andtrainconductorisun(a)
revisor(a).
ConexinvsConnection<Lat.connexio"aconclusion,bindingtogether"<
connect,alternativespellingofcnect"Ibindtogether"<co"together"and
nect"Ibind"
Conexinisaphysicalorlogicalconnection.
Connectionwhenreferringtohuman/emotionalconnectionsisunarelacin.
ConferenciavsConference<Lat.cnferrebear/carrytogether
Conferenciacanmeanconference,meeting,lecture,speech,orphonecall.
Conference=unaconferencia,unareunin,unaasamblea,oruncongreso.
ConstipacinvsConstipation(inLatinconstipatummeantstuffedup,bunchedup)
Constipacinanditssynonymconstipadobothrefertoacoldorcatarrh.
Constipation=elestreimiento.
ContestarvsContest<Lat.contestaritocalltowitness<com+testiswitness
Contestarmeanstoanswerorreply.
Contestasaverbmeansimpugnar,atacar,disputar,orcontender.
ConvenientevsConvenient<Lat.convenirecometogether,besuitable
Convenientemeanssuitable,fitting,proper,useful,oradvantageous.
Convenientmeanscmodo,prctico,til,oraccesible.
CopavsCup<LateLat.cuppa<?Lat.cpatub
Copa=aglassorgoblet,analcoholicdrink,atrophy(laCopadelMundo
WorldCup).
Cup=unataza.
CopiavsCopy<Med.Lat.copia<Lat.copiaabundance(cf.copious)
Copiaisaphotopcopyorotherduplicate.
Copycanalsomeanunejemplar(ofabook)orunnmero(ofamagazine).
CorajevsCourage<OldFrenchcorage<Lat.corheart
Corajecanmeancourageaswellasanger.
Couragecanbetranslatedbyelcorajeaswellaselvalor,lavalenta,los
nimos,andlasfuerzas.
7

CorrespondervsCorrespond<Lat.comwith+respondretoanswerto
Correspondermeansthingsliketocorrespond,tally,fitin,match,orbelong.
Correspondtranslatestocorresponderonlyinthesenseofagreeingwithor
matching(e.g.,thiscorrespondswithourthoughts).Whenreferringtoa
correspondencebymail,theSpanishtranslationisescribirseorestaren
correspondenciacon.
CuestinvsQuestion<Lat.quaestio<quaereretoseek,ask
Cuestinisamatter/issue/questiontoberesolved.
Questionistranslatedbycuestinwhenreferringtoanissue,orunapregunta
whenaskingaquestion.
CultovsCult<Lat.cultuscare,adoration<colerecultivate
Cultoasanounitcanrefertoareligioussectortoareligiousservice
(=worship).Asanadjective,itmeansculturedorrefined,highbrow,learnd.
Cult=unasecta.
DamnificadovsDamned<Lat.damnumharm,cf.Spanishdao
Damnificado=victim,injuredparty;fromtheverbdamnificartoinjure,harm,
damage(cf.thenearoppositeindemnifyinEnglish).
Damnedmeanscondenadoormaldito.
Decepcin/DecepcionarvsDeception/Deceive(<de+capereseize/takefrom,cf.
captive)
Decepcin=disappointment.Decepcionar=todisappoint.
Deception=unengao,unfraude.Todeceive=engaar,defraudar.
DefraudarvsDefraud<dfraudre=cheat,deceive
Defraudarcanmeantodefraudorcheataswellastodisappointorletdown.
Defraudmeansestafarordefraudar.
DelitovsDelight[notcognates]
Delito(<delictumfault,offense<dlinquere)referstoacrime,offence,or
misdeed.
Delight(<delectaredelight,please<delicereallure)=elplacer,eldeleite,
elencanto,orladelicia.Todelight=encantarordeleitar.
DepartamentovsDepartment<OldFrenchdepartirdivide
Departamentomeansdepartment,section;office;compartment;province;or
apartment.
Department=departamento,seccin,ministerio.
DesgraciavsDisgrace<Lat.disapart+grtiafavor,charm,thanks,grace
Desgraciameansmisfortune,mishap,accident,setback,orbadluck.
Disgracereferstoladeshonraorignominia.

DeshonestovsDishonest<O.Fr.deshoneste<Lat.dehonestusvulgar,lowclass;
unbecoming<de+honestushonorable,reputable,distinguised,respected
Deshonestodescribingapersonitcanmeandishonest,untrustworthy,
cheating,andevenlying;talkingaboutactsorwordsitcanmeanindecentor
lewd:unaproposicindeshonestaisanindecentproposal
Dishonest=pocohonrado,fraudulento.
DespertarvsDesperate[notcognates]
Despertarmeanstowakeup,bothfigurativelyandliterally,andrequiresa
directobject.Tosay"I'mwakingup"inthesenseofgettingoutofbed,you
needtousethereflexiveform,despertarse.
Desperate=desesperado.
DestituidovsDestitute<Lat.destitutus,p.p.ofdestitureabandon,deprive
Destituidomeansremovedordismissedfromoffice.
Destitute=indigente,desamparado,necesitado,orenlamiseria.
DiscovsDisco<Lat.discus<Gk.diskusdisk,quoit,platter

EducacinvsEducation<educaretorear,educate<educeretoleadforth
Educacinhasabroadermeaningthaneducation.TheSpanishword'sbest
translationisupbringing,whichincludesbothschooleducationaswellaswhat
achildlearnsathome.
Educationisbesttranslatedbyformacinorenseanza.
EducadovsEducated[seeabove]
Educadomeanswellmannered,polite,orcultivated,fromtheverbeducarto
raise,bringup,rear.
Educatedisfromtheverbtoeducate:formarorinstruir.
EfectivovsEffective<Lat.effectvuspractical<effectus,pastparticipleof
efficere(seeeffect)</exoutof+faceredo,make
Efectivomeansrealoractual.Enefectivomeansincash.Efectivosaremilitary
forcesor(police)officers;theadverbefectivamentemeansindeed,really
Effective=eficaz.
ElevadorvsElevator<Lat.elevatus,p.p.ofelevare<eout+levarelift

DiscoAsidefromdisco(teque),ithasnumeroustranslations:disk,discus,traffic
light,andaudiorecord,CD.
Disco(shortforFr.discoteque)=discoteca,disco,orsaladebaile.

ElevadormeanselevatoronlyinplaceslikeMexico,thoughunelevadorde
granosisagrainelevatoranywhere.
Elevator=unascensor(<Lat.ascensorpersonwhoascends;rider,charioteer

DiscusinvsDiscussion<Lat.discussus,p.p.ofdiscuteretostrikeorshakeapart,
breakup&inMedievalLat.examine,discuss<disapart+quateretoshake

EmbarazadavsEmbarrassedtheoriginisdisputed,butperhapsEng.embarrassed
<Frenchembarrasserembarrasser,"toblock"or"toobstruct",orfiguratively,"to
putoneinadifficultsituation"<Port./Sp.embaraainanoose/rope>inadifficult
situation;inSpanishembarazadaacquiredthespecializedmeaningofpregnant(cf.
unwantedpregnancy)

Discusincanbeasimplediscussion,butmorecommonlyitrefersto
somethingmoreintense,likeadebate,dispute,orargument.
Discussionisequivalenttodiscusinordeliberaciones.
DiscutirvsDiscuss<Lat.discutere<dis+quatereshakeoff
Discutirisstrongerthandiscuss;morelikedebateorargue.
Discuss=hablarde,tratarde,comentar.
DisgustovsDisgust<Lat.dis+gustusapart+taste/tasting
Disgustoisnotasstrongasdisgust;itmeansannoyance,displeasure,grief,or
trouble.
Disgustreferstorepugnanciaoraversin.
EcharvsEcho[notcognates]
Echarhasmanymeanings,includingtothrow,toput,topour,togive,tocut,
andtopush.<Lat.iactrethrow(cf.Eng.eject)
Echomeansresonar,repetir,orhacereco.<Lat.echo<Anc.Greek(kh)
<(kh),sound
EditorvsEditor<Lat.editus,p.p.ofedere,bringforth,produce,fromex,out+
dare,togive(+nounofagentsuffixor).

Embarazadanowadaysitmeansjustpregnant(adj.).Itcanalsobeanoun:una
embarazada=apregnantwoman,anexpectantmother.
Embarrassedisavergonzado,molesto,orincmodo,cohibido;beembarrassed
is:tenervergenzaandinsomecountriesternerpena
EmocionalvsEmotional<Lat.emotus,p.p.ofemovretomoveout,remove<
e/exout+movretomove
Emocionaladj.havingtodowithemotion,e.g.estadoemocionalemotional
state;Emocionantemeansexciting,thrilling,ormoving;emocionadois
moved,overcomewithemotion
Emotionalindicatessomethingthatisafectivo,emocional,oremotivo,or
someonethatissentimental.
EquivocadovsEquivocal<Lat.aequivocus<aequiequiequal+voxvocvoice
Equivocadomeanswrong,mistaken:nmeroequivocado:wrongnumber;
equivocarsetomakeamistake,dothewrongthing;equivocacinmistake
Equivocalisequvocoorambiguo;equivocationisevasiva,subterfugio.

Editorisanadjective:publishing,andanoun:publisheroreditor.
Editorcanbetranslatedbyeditor,redactor,ordirector(derevistaoperidico)
9

10

EventualvsEventual<Lat.ventusanevent,occurrence<veniretohappen,
tocomeout</exoutof,from+venirecome
Eventualmeansfortuitous,possible(notcertain),contingent,precarious(e.g.
empleoeventual).
Eventual=final(resulting),definitivo,consiguiente.
ExcitarvsExcite<Lat.excitarecallout,arouse,stimulate,frequentativeof
excierecallout,arouse,excite)<exout+cierecall,summon
Excitarisnowadayslargelyrestrictedtomeantoexcitesexually,whenusedfor
people(thoughnotnecessarily).Samethingforthederivedadjectiveexcitado.
Excitewhentalkingaboutsomethingyou'relookingforwardtoisentusiasmar
orprovocar.Althoughexcitedcanbeexcitado,itisusuallybesttranslatedas
entusiasmado,ilusionado;ansioso,nervioso;alborotado,revolucionado.
xitovsExit<Lat.exitusexit<ex+iregoout
xitomeanssuccess:agranxitoverysuccessful.Originallyitmeantresult,
outcome,andfromthereitcametomeangoodresults=success.
Exitisunasalida(theoldSpanishcognatewasejida).
FbricavsFabric<Lat.fabricaworkshop,art,productofart,structure;productof
aclothworkshop,fabric<faberartisan;workman
Fbricaisafactory,plant,ormill.
Fabriciseltejidoorlatela.

familiar,meresultafamiliar;theverbfamiliarizarsederivesfromthislatter
sense:tofamiliarizeoneselfwith,togetusedtosomething
Familiarisonlyanadjective:occasionally=familiar,butitsbesttranslatedas
conocido,comn,consabido,ntimo;be/gettoo/sofamiliar=tomarse
confianzasorlibertades.
FastidiosovsFastidiousadj.<Lat.fastidiosuspassivesense:thatfeelsdisgust:
disdainful,scornful,fastidious;activesense:thatcausesdisgust:disgusting,
loathsome<fastidiumdisgust(cognatewithSp.hasto);theEnglishmeaningis
derivedfromthepassivesense,whereastheSpanishoneisderivedfromtheactive
sense.
Fastidiosomeansannoyingorboring.ItcanmeanfastidiousinLatinAmerica;
itsfeltasderivedfromtheverbfastidiartobother,pester,upset
Fastidiousmeansescrupuloso.
FirmavsFirmSp.firmasignature<firmaraffirm;sign;Eng.firm(noun)<Ger.
firmabusiness<Ital.firmasignature(likeSpanish)(Eng.firm(adj.<Lat.firmus
steady)
Firmacanrefertoafirm,butmorecommonlymeansasignature.
Firmasanadjectivemeansfirme,slido,duro,seguro.Asanoun,itcanbe
translatedbyunafirmaorunaempresa.
FiscalvsFiscalLat.fiscalis(adj.)<Lat.fiscus(noun)treasury

FactoravsFactoryMed.Lat.factoria<Lat.factormaker<factusmade<
faceremake
Factoracanmeanafactory(insomeSpanishspeakingcountries),butismore
commonlyatradingpost.
Factory=unafbrica.
FacultadvsFacultyMedievalLat.facultasbranchoflearning<Lat.facultas
capability,ability,skill<facilitaseasiness,facility,etc.(cf.Sp.facilidad)
Facultadreferstomentalfaculty,powerorability,orauniversitydepartment.
Facultyinreferencetoagroupofteachersiselprofesorado.
FaltavsFault<Lat.Vulg.fallta<Lat.fallita,pp.offalleredeceive,slipby,
disappoint
Faltaisalack,want,need,absence,shortage,failure,orshortcoming.
Afault(imperfection)isundefecto,undesperfecto,orunaimperfeccin.Fault
(blame)islaculpa.
FamiliarvsFamiliar<Lat.familiafamily
Familiarasanounitreferstoarelative.Asanadjectiveittypicallymeans
pertainingtothefamily(familiar,domestic,informal,plain,orcolloquial).In
somecontextsithasthemeaningithasinEnglish:meesfamiliaritsounds

11

Fiscalmeansfiscalortaxrelatedasanadjective.Asanoun,however,itrefers
toadistrictattorneyorpublicprosecutor.
Fiscal=fiscal.
FormalvsFormal<Lat.formalis,adj.offormaform
Formalmeansformalwhenreferringtoevents,butitmeansreliable,
dependable,responsible,orseriouswhenreferringtopeople.
Formalmeansformal,solemne,oficial,or,whenreferringtoclothing,de
etiqueta.
FracasovsFracas<Italianfracasso<Lat.infra+cassusempty,lacking,useless
Fracasoisafailureordisaster.
Fracasisunegrescaorunareyerta.
FtbolvsFootball<Engl.foot+ball
Ftbolreferstosoccer(inAmericanEnglish);thewordftbolcomesfromthe
Englishwordfootball,whichiswhatsocceriscalledinEngland,thecountry
wherethesportoriginated.
Football=elftbolamericano.
FtilvsFutile<Lat.ftilis(adj.)futile,vain,worthless,useless
Ftilmeanstrivial,trifling.
Futilemeansintil,vano,orinfructuoso.
12

GrabarvsGrab[notcognates]
Grabar<Fr.graverengrave,carve(<Gmnk.):istoengrave,record,or
impress.
Grab<Gmn.grabbentosnap:meansasir,coger,orarrebatar.
GraciosovsGracious<Lat.gratiosusenjoyingfavor,agreeable<gratia
"kindness,favour,esteem"<grtuspleasing;themeaninghaschanged
somewhatinbothEnglishandSpanish.
Graciosomeansfunnyorcute.
Gracious=gentil,corts,orrefinado.
GroseravsGrocery<Lat.grossusbig,thick,large;coarse;bymetaphorical
extensiondifferentmeaningsarosefromthiswordwhichledtothecurrent
meanings
Grosera<gruesothick,ordinary,coarse<Lat.grossus=itseemstofollow
theapatternonmostSpanishwordsforstores,butinfactitrefersonlytoan
actofrudeness,crudeness,orvulgarity.Thepersonwhoengagesinthis
behavioriscalledgrosero.
GroceryStore<Fr.grosseriewholesale<Lat.grossus=tiendade
abarrotes/comestibles,bodega,orabacera,dependingonwhatcountry.
HonestovsHonest<Lat.honestushonorable<honos,honorhonor
Honestomeanssincere,honorable,butalsodecent,modest.
Honest=sincero,franco,honesto,honrado.
HumorvsHumor<Lat.(h)umorbodyfluid,humour
Humormeanshumorormood:debuenhumorinagoodmood,demal
humorinabadmood
Humorreferstograciaorhumor.Senseofhumor=sentidodelhumor.
IdiomavsIdiom<Lat.idioma<Gk.(idioma),apeculiarity,property,a
peculiarphraseology,individualpeculiarityofLanguage,idiom
Idiomareferstoalanguage(broadeningoftheoriginalmeaning)
Idiom=modismo,giro,expresinidiomtica;lenguaje,estilo
IgnorarvsIgnore<Lat.ignorare<ignarusignorant,unknown<innot,neg.+
gnoscereknow
Ignorarmeanstonotknowortobeunawareof(originalmeaning)
Ignorehascometomeansomethinglikepretendnottonotice:nohacercaso
de,desatender,ordejaraunlado.
InsultovsInsult<Lat.insultretojumpat,insult<salretojump
Insultomeansinsultinmostplaces,butinMexicoitcanalsoreferto
indigestionorastomachache.
Insult=insulto.
IntroducirvsIntroduce<Lat.intrdcere<intr+dcinside+lead,pull
13

Introducirmeanstoputinside;introduceonlyinthesenseofintroducinga
topic.
Introducecanmeantointroduceatopicoraperson.Thelatteristranslatedby
presentarinSpanish.
JubilacinvsJubilation<Lat.ibiltiashoutingforjoy
Jubilacinreferstoretirement:boththeactofretiringandapension.
Jubilation=jbilo.
LaborvsLabor<Lat.laborwork
Laborcanmeananykindofwork:paidwork,chores,needlework,etc.
Laborreferstoeltrabajo(theactualwork)orlamanodeobra(theworkers).
LargovsLarge<Lat.largusgenerous,plentiful
Largomeanslong.
Large=grandeorimportante.
LecturavsLecture<Med.Lat.lectrareading<lectusread<legeretoread
Lecturareferstotheactofreadingorreadingmaterial.
Lecture=unaconferencia,unaexplicacin,orunsermoneo.
LetravsLetterLat.litteraletterofthealphabet;inplural,"epistle
Letrarefersonlytoaletterofthealphabet.
Letterisunletra(ofthealphabet)orunacarta(thatyouwritetoafriend).
Librera/LibrerovsLibrary<Lat.librariumbookcase,chestforbooks<librarius
concerningbooks<libertheinnerbarkoftrees","paper","parchment","book
Libreraisabookstore,whilelibreroreferstoabooksellerorbookcase.
Libraryreferstounabiblioteca.
LujuriavsLuxury<Lat.luxuriarankness,luxury<luxusextravagance,luxury
Lujuria=lust,lewdness,excess.
Luxury=ellujo(lujocomesfromluxus).
MamavsMama<Lat.mammaabreast/Reduplicationofma;atrendpresentin
manyIndoEuropeanlanguages,probablywithultimateorigininbabytalk
Mamareferstoabreast.
Mama=mam(althoughmammominSpanishmustcomefrommama,the
shiftinthestresswasprobablyduetoinfluenceofotherlanguages)
MangovsMango[notcognates,notrelated]
Mangocanmeanmangothefruitaswellasahandle(asofaknife)<Lat.
mancusadj.ofthehand<manushand.
Mango=mango(thefruit)<Portuguesemanga,probablyfromMalayalam
(ma)orTamil
(mky)
Marca/MarcovsMark<LateLat.marca<Germanicmarkoboundary,boundary
marker
14

 Marcaisamark(asinaspotorline)aswellasabrand,make,orlabel.In
sports,unamarcaisarecordorbesttime.Unmarcoisa(picture)frame,goal,
setting,orframework.
Markcanbetranslatedbyunamancha(aspot)orunaseal(asign).
MasavsMass<Lat.massalump,dough
Masacanmeanmass(intermsofpeopleandvolume),aswellasdough.
Massismasainphysics;inreferencetochurchislamisa(fromLateLat.missa,
nounuseoffemininepastparticipleofclassicalLat.mitteretosend).
MatarvsMate[notecognates]
Matarmeanstokill.
Mate=asanounisunmacho/unahembraforanimals,uncompaero/una
compaeraforpeople.Tomatemeansaparearorunir.
MayorvsMayor<Lat.maiorgreater,larger(FromProtoIndoEuropean*mag
great+*yos(comparativesuffix)
Mayorasanadjectivemeansmain,major,larger,older.Asanounintheplural
itcanmeanadults(losmayores).
Mayor=elalcaldeorlaalcadesa.
MolestarvsMolest<Lat.molestaretobother,annoy<molestusburdensome,
annoying<molesaburden,difficulty,labor,trouble
Molestarmeanstoannoyorbother.
Molest=acosarsexualmente.

Numberisunnmero<Lat.numerusnumber
NoticiavsNotice<Lat.notitiaacquaintance,awareness<notusknown
Noticiaisanewsitemorpieceofnews;noticiasmeansnewsorinformation.
Notice:isaletrero(sign),aviso(warning),preaviso(priornotice),oranuncio
(announcement)
OcasinvsOccasion<Lat.occasio,occasionopportunity<occideretofall
down<ob+cadere
Ocasinisusuallyachanceoropportunity.Itcanalsomeancauseorreason,
andinsomecountriesitreferstoabargain.
Occasionreferstounavez,unaoportunidad,unacontecimiento,unarazn,or
unmotivo.
OcultovsOccult<Lat.occultushiddenaway<occuleretocoverup<ob+
culerecover,hide
Ocultoadj.thatcanmeanhidden,concealed,orsecret,aswellasoccult.
Occult=noun,ocultoormisterioso.
OficialvsOfficialadj.<Lat.officiumduty,service
OficialasanadjectiveisthesameasinEnglish.Asanoun,itreferstoamilitary
officeroraskilledworker.
Officialasanounistypicallyunfuncionario(governmentofficial).
OficiovsOfficeLat.officiumtask,business,duty,officialduty,office,court

MotivovsMotive<Lat.motivus<motus,past.part.ofmovretomove
Motivoisn'tnecessarilythesamethingasmotive(whichtendstohavea
negativeconnotation,like"motiveforthemurder");it'smorelikereasonor
cause.
Motive=mvil,motivos,orintencin.
NaturalvsNatural<Lat.ntrlis<ntranature<ntus,perfectparticipleof
nscortobeborn
Naturalasanadjectivemeansnatural,fresh(withfruit),andillegimate(with
children).Asanounitmeansnatureornative.
Naturalcanbetranslatedbynatural,normal,innato,orbiolgico(withfamily
members).
Negocio/negociarvsNegotiation/negotiate:negotiate/negociar<Lat.negotiatus,
pastparticipleofnegotiaritocarryonbusiness<negotiumbusiness<negnot+
otiumleisure
Negocioreferstoabusiness,abusinessdeal,ortransaction.
Negotiationisunanegociacin(negotiate=negociar).
NombrevsNumber[notcognates]
Nombremeansnameorsometimesnoun(sustantivo).<Lat.nominename
15

Oficio=tradeorfunction,religiousservice/mass,oranofficialletter.
Officeisunaoficina,undespacho.
OrdinariovsOrdinary<Lat.rdinriusregular,orderly<rdorder
Ordinariocanmeanordinaryaswellascommonorcoarse(inreferencetoa
person)
Ordinary=normalorcorriente.
PanvsPan[notcognates]
Pan=bread(<Lat.panisbread)
Panisunacazuela,cacerola,olla,orsartn(fryingpan)(<Old.Eng.panne<Lat.
patina'dish,pan'<Greekpatan)
Papa/PapvsPapa
Papameanspotatowhenit'sfeminine(exceptinSpainwhereitspatata)and
popewhenit'smasculine.PapisequivalenttopapaordadinEnglish.
Papa=pap.
ParientevsParent<Lat.parens/parent,pres.part.ofpareretobringforth,give
birthto,orproduce(cf.Spanishparir)
Parienteisanyrelative
Parent=elpadreorlamadreonly.
16

PatrnvsPatron<Lat.patrnusprotector<pater"father"
Patrncanindicateabossorowneraswellasapatternorstandard.
Patron=patrocinador,mecenas(ofthearts),cliente(customer),orpatrono
(patronsaint)
PlagiovsPlague[notrelated]
Plagioisplagiarism.<Lat.plagum<plagireplagiarize
Plaguereferstolapeste,laplaga,orelfastidio.<Lat.plagablow
PrcticamentevsPractically<LateLat.practicusactive<AncientGreek
(praktiks),oforpertainingtoactionorbusiness,active,practical
Prcticamentemeanspracticallyinthesenseof"inapracticalway"or"in
practicalterms."Itshouldnotbeusedtomeanalmost.
Practically=casi.
PrecisovsPrecise<Lat.praecisus,p.p.ofpraecideretocutoff(prae+caedere)
Precisocanmeanprecise,correct,ornecessary.
Precise=precisoorexacto.
PresentevsPresent
Presente=presentwhentalkingabouttimeorpresence.
Presentmeaning"gift"isunregalo(<Lat.praesentaretopresent).
PreservativovsPreservative<Lat.praebefore+servaretokeep;observe
Preservativoindicatesacondom.
Preservativeisunconservante.
PretendervsPretend<Lat.praetendereputforward,holdout,frompraepre,
before+tenderestretch
Pretendermeanstoaspire,expect,claim:EllapretendeserricaShe
claims/attemptstoberich.Archaicuse:towoo(cf.pretendiente=suitor).
Pretendistranslatedbyfingirorsimular.
PrivadovsPrivate<Lat.prvtus,pastparticipleofprivarebereave,deprive,
release<prvussingle,individual,peculiar
Privadomeansprivateasinexclusive(suchasaschoolorclub).
Privateisfairlygeneralit'sbasicallytheoppositeofpublicandcanbe
translatedbyprivado,personal,secreto,ntimo,orparticular.
ProcurarvsProcure<Lat.procurretotakecareof<profor+curacare
Procurarusuallymeanstotry,attempt,andtomanage(todosomething),e.g.
procurabairsiempreItriedtoalwaysgo.Inmorefancylanguageitmay
meantoprocure,obtain.
Procure=obtener,conseguir.
QuitarvsQuit<Med.Lat.quitresetfree<quitefreeof,released
Quitarmeanstotakeaway,remove(getridof).Quitarse=takeoff(clothing).
17

Quit=dejar,abandonar,salirde.Toquitone'sjob=abandonarelpuesto,
dimitir.Toquitsmoking=dejardefumar.
RarovsRare<Lat.rarus"loose,spacedapart,thin,infrequent"
Rarocanmeanrare(uncommon),butmorecommonlymeansoddorstrange.
Rare=pococomnorexcepcional.Englishrare=partiallycooked<Germanic
hrreboiledlightly
RealvsReal<1)LateLat.relisactual<rsthing;2)Lat.rglisregal,royal
Realcanmeanreal(true)(from1)aswellasroyal(from2).
Realmeansreal(true),verdadero,autntico,orlegtimo(from1).
RealizarvsRealize<Lat..relisactual
Realizarmeanstorealizeonlyinthesenseoftomakereal,toattain,orto
fulfill,carryout(execute),make(viaje/visita),conduct(test/interview).
Realizecanmeanrealizar,butalsodarsecuentade,comprender,&reconocer.
RecetavsReceipt<Lat.recepta,pastpart.ofreciperereceive
Receta=recipeor(doctors)prescription.
Receipt=unrecibo.
RecoleccinvsRecollection<Lat.recollectus,pastparticipleofrecolligereto
collectagain<re+colligeretogather
Recoleccinisacollection,harvest,orsummary.
Recollectioniselrecuerdoorlamemoria.
RecordarvsRecord<Lat.recordricalltomind,remember,recollect<re
back,again+corheart;mind
Recordarmeanstoremember,recall,orremind.
Record(setdowninwriting,etc.)=registrar,inscribir,orgrabar.
RedvsRed[notcognates]
Redreferstoanetwork<Lat.retenet
Redisthecolorrojo<OldEnglishrad,fromProtoGermanic*raudaz
RelativovsRelative<Lat.adj.relativus<relatus,perfectpassiveparticipleof
referretocarryback,toascribe<reagain+ferretobearorcarry
RelativoasanadjectiveithasthesamemeaningastheEnglishadj.relative.
Relativeasanadj.=relative/a;asanoun=parienteorfamiliar.
RestarvsRest<Lat.restretostay,remain<re+strestandagain
Restarmeanstotakeawayorsubtract,tonotgivemuch,toremainorbeleft
or,insports,toreturn.
Restasanoun=restoanditcomesfromLat.restare;theverbrest=descansar
orapoyar<ProtoGermanic*rastrest;bed
RevolvervsRevolver<Lat.revolvereturnover,rollback<reback,again+
volvereroll
18

 Revolver(stressonthee)isaverb:tomovearound,stir,revolve,ordisturb.
Revolverisanoun:unrevlver(stressontheo).(Arevolverisahandgunwith
acylinderofseveralchambersthatrevolvearoundanaxel.)Torevolve
(intrans.)isgirar(turn),darvueltas,and(trans.)hacergirar,darvueltas.
RopavsRope[notrelated]
Ropameansclothing(<Germanic/Gothic*raupa,cognateofEnglishrobe).
Rope=unacuerdaorunasoga(<OldEng.rp<ProtoGermanic*raiparope
SalariovsSalary<Lat.salariumofsalt<salsalt(itreferstotherationofsalt
giventoRomansoldiersalongwiththeirpay)
Salario(compensationreceivedbyworkersinexchangefortheirlabor)refers
towages,whichcouldbehourlywages,while
Salary(periodicpaymentfromanemployertoanemployee)indicatesfixed
earningspermonthoryear:elsueldo.
SanovsSane<Lat.sanushealthy
Sano=healthy,fit,orintact.
Sanemeanscuerdo,sensato,orensusanojuicio(pertainstomentalhealth).
SensiblevsSensible<Lat.sensibilis<sensus,pastparticipleofsentiretofeel
Sensible=sensitive(pielsensible)orappreciable(aumentosensible).
Sensiblemeansjuicioso,sensato,orprudente;prctico(sensibleshoes)
SimplevsSimple<Med.Lat.simplus<Lat.simplex,simpliconefold,havingone
ingredient<sem/simone+plex/plicfold
Simple(notcomplicated)=simple;(mere)simpleorordinario(unsimple
soldado);(people)=simpleminded
Simpleinmostsenses=simple;(notspecial,notcomplicated)=sencillo.
SoportarvsSupport<Lat.supportaretransport<sub+portarecarryunder
Soportarmeanstobear,carry,support,holdup,orwithstand.
Supportasaverbisusuallytranslatedbyapoyar,sostener,ormantener.
SucedervsSucceed<Lat.succedre1)approach,follow;2)happen;3)prosper,
besuccessful;etc.<subnear+cederetogo
Sucedermeanstohappenortofollow,comenext(Lat.meanings1&2).
Succeed=tenerxito,triunfar(Lat.meaning3)

Tipomeanstype/kindaswellasguy,dudeorbloke.
Type=tipoorclase.Theverbtotype(write)usedtobeescribiramquina
(madeobsoletebytechnologicalchanges)oteclear(<tecla);tipear(and
taipear)arecommoninsomecountries.TheDiccionarioPanhispnicodeDudas
recommendsmecanografiaranddactilografiar.
TrampavsTramp[notcognates]
Trampaisatrap.
Trampisaunvagabundoorunazorra.
TratarvsTreat<Lat.tractaretodragabout,handle,dealwith,frequentativeof
traheretodrag,pull
Tratarmeansmostlytotreatorhandle;todealwith,beabout,havetodowith.
Treatasaverbmeanstratar,invitar,curar,ordiscutir.
ltimamentevsUltimately[nearcognates]
ltimamentemeanslately,recently.<Lat.ultimusfarthest,last,final
Ultimately=enltimainstancia,alfinal,alalarga,enelfondo<Lat.ultimatus
<ultimaretocometoanend;belast<ultimusfarthest,last,final
ltimovsUltimate[nearcognates:seeabove]
ltimomeansfinalorlast.
Ultimatehasseveralmeanings:thebestdefinitivo,themost
important/essentialfundamental,esencial;thelatestltimogrito.
VasovsVase<Lat.vsumdish,vessel;vase;utensil;tool
Vasoisaglassortumbler,fordrinking.
Vaseindicatesunfloreroorjarrn.
Theprecedinglist,minustheintroduction,isaheavilymodifiedandexpandedversionofa
listoffalsecognatesfoundinamongotherplacesspanish.allinfoabout.comin2005.The
originalsourceisunknown.
Additionalsourcesused:
http://en.wiktionary.org,http://latinlookup.com/
NTCsDictionaryofSpanishFalseCognates,byMarcialPrado
MerriamWebsters11thCollegiateDictionary,OxfordEnglishSpanishDictionary,
DiccionariodeMariaMoliner

SucesovsSuccess<Lat.succssushappening;success<succedere(seeabove)
Sucesoisanevent,incident,happening,oroutcome.
Successreferstounxitoortriunfo.
TablavsTable<Lat.tabulatable(inlaterLatin);board(inearlierLatin)
Tablarefersprimarilytoa(wooden)board;tableinmathandgraphics.
Tableisunamesaandoccasionallyunatabla(inmathandgraphics)
TipovsType<Lat.typusimage<Greek(tupos)mark,type,model
19

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