what is an example of a cognate?

Question

what is an example of a cognate?

please note that it is mandatory on this forum to use correct spelling, grammar, and capitalization in your posts. - - 00494d19, SEP 23, 2009

Answer 1

Literally it means "born together". The term refers to two (or more words), often (but not necessarily) in different languages that have a common origin. cheeseisyumm's link provides a list of some English/Spanish cognates.

In the phrase "false cognates" (some people prefer "false friends"), "cognate" has a slightly different meaning, since it refers to two words that look (pretty much) the same but have different meanings (that is, because they look similar, one expects the same meaning but, in fact, they are used differently). e.g. "embarazado" -"embarrassed" or "constipado"-"constipated. Actually, these pairs really are cognates (in the sense that they have a common origin) but their connotations/usages have drifted apart with time.

Nice! O-O I've never really thought about cognates and why they call them that, but what a detailed explanation :D. - fatcinnaroll, SEP 23, 2009

Answer 2

http://www.spanishdict.com/flashcards/show/8421