In this article we’ll be discussing cognates and false cognates, do you know what they are? If not, you’re in the right place to learn.
Read on to find out.
Cognates vs False cognates
Cognates are words in Spanish that have a similar meaning and are spelled similarly to their English (or any other language, actually) equivalents. They usually come from the same Latin root, so we could say they share a common ancestry.
On the other hand, false cognates (also known as false friends) are words that look or sound similar in English and Spanish, but have different meanings. These words are often derived from different roots, so they may have little or no linguistic connection.
The importance of cognates
It’s important for native English learners of Spanish to be aware of both cognates and false cognates, as they can help in learning and understanding new vocabulary, but can also cause confusion and misunderstandings if not recognized correctly.
There are learning methods solely based on this, which I think is a bit extreme, but it certainly has potential in terms of building up your vocabulary.
There are more cognates than false cognates between Spanish and English, since both languages share a common ancestor (Latin), and many words have been borrowed or adapted from one language to the other over time.
Let’s take a look at some of them (English word first):
- Actor | Actor
- Animal | Animal
- Art | Arte
- Banana | Banana
- Central | Central
- Chocolate | Chocolate
- Color | Color
- Doctor | Doctor
- Elevator | Elevador
- Error | Error
- Hospital | Hospital
- Idea | Idea
- Musical | Musical
- Natural | Natural
- Radio | Radio
- Revolution | Revolución
- Television | Televisión
- Taxi | Taxi
- Universe | Universo
- Camera | Cámara
- Excellent | Excelente
- Flexible | Flexible
- Important | Importante
- Music | Música
- Normal | Normal
- Original | Original
- Perfect | Perfecto
- Popular | Popular
- Relax | Relájate
- Simple | Simple
- Telephone | Teléfono
- Tourist | Turista
- Train | Tren
- Video | Vídeo
- Festival | Festival
- Family | Familia
- Guitar | Guitarra
- Instant | Instante
- Machine | Máquina
- Maximum | Máximo
- Minute | Minuto
- Progress | Progreso
The dangerous ones are the ones below. Keep these Spanish – English false cognates in mind:
False Cognates – Nouns:
- Carpeta – Folder
- Colegio – School
- Éxito – Success
- Jefe – Chief
- Ropa – Clothing
- Apellido – Surname
- Sensación – Sensation
- Librería – Bookstore
- Pariente – Relative
- Discusión – Argument
- Propina – Tip
- Pretensión – Pretense
- Idioma – Language
False Cognates – Adjectives:
- Largo – Long
- Sano – Healthy
- Sensato – Sensible
- Pensativo – Thoughtful
- Grosero – Rude
- Casual – Informal
- Sensato – Sensible
- Prudente – Prudent
False Cognates – Verbs:
- Asistir – To help
- Presentar – To introduce
- Pretender – To expect
- Contestar – To answer
- Atender – To assist
- Demandar – To sue
- Resumir – To summarize
- Avergonzar – To Embarrass
- Presumir – To boast
- Relatar – To narrate
This list is of course not exhaustive, but at least it gives you a word of warning so you are not taken by surprise.
See you around soon!
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