When beginning to learn a foreign language, struggling with false friends will probably be one of the most common (and funniest) problems you will have to face. False friends are words that are similar in spelling or pronunciation, but have completely different meanings. For example, in Spanish if you say “estoy embarazada”, it doesn’t mean “I’m embarrassed”, but rather “I’m pregnant”!
By Clara Lorda
There are many comical stories on the internet where false friends have played in role in communication mishaps. One such story is about a girl from the UAE, who, while she was an undergraduate student studying Spanish at the University of Deusto in Spain, experienced this type of misunderstanding in a local student bar. Two Spaniards in the bar were flirting with her and making her feel uncomfortable at which point she tried to make an excuse to leave. She meant to say that she was too warm and declared “¡Estoy caliente!” – thinking it only meant “I’m hot” – but in Spanish this phrase also has a strong sexual connotation. She must have quickly realized her mistake by the look on their faces.
A List of Some False Friends:
English: constipated Spanish: constipado Real meaning: to have a cold
English: bald German: Bald Real meaning: soon
English: kiss Swedish: kiss Real meaning: urine
English: air Malaysian: air Real meaning: water
English: pile French: pile Real meaning: batteries
In a translation, the misuse of a false friend may result in a completely different meaning, so choosing a professional translator is crucial for the quality of the final text.
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