false friend



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false friend

A phrase, word, or letter that sounds or looks similar to one in another language or dialect but has a significantly different meaning. I used the word "embarazada" to tell my Spanish friend I was embarrassed, not knowing that it was a false friend and actually means "pregnant"—now I'm even more embarrassed!
See also: false, friend

Common Names:

NameGenderPronouncedUsage
DunstanDUN-stən (English)English (Rare), Anglo-Saxon
Maya (3)-Hebrew
Bartal-Hungarian (Rare)
TethysTEE-thəs (English)Greek Mythology
Sergeisyer-GYAY (Russian), seer-GYAY (Russian)Russian, Bulgarian
Chidiegwu-Western African, Igbo