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
Adelaə-DEL-ə (English), ah-DE-lah (Polish)English, Spanish, Romanian, Polish, Ancient Germanic
StefaniSTEF-ə-neeEnglish
Truls-Norwegian, Swedish
Iva (3)-Czech
AmmielAM-ee-əl (English)Biblical
CristiÁNkree-STYAHNSpanish