Game: One letter changes all!

Question

This is a bit of an exercise in vocabulary.

Someone close to me is learning English, and while checking some of her homework, I started thinking about how just one letter can make a huge difference in meaning in some English words. For example:

through - trough (a trevés - abrevadero).

lie - lye (mentira - lejía).

So, my request today, for a bit of variation from the usual A-Z's, is to ask you to write a pair of English words that are almost identical except for one letter. Next to it please write the most common Spanish meaning.

I'm looking for examples like the above, where the words can be easily confused. Pairs like "train - rain" are not as much fun.

If you can think of Spanish words that work the same way, by all means go ahead and write the Spanish pair, with the English meaning next to them!

Please do not write a whole list of words in one single post!

I'll be reviewing your contributions every once in a while. Please check your spelling before you post!

Great idea! - Nicole-B, Jun 16, 2010

"to" write a pair - Delores--Lindsey, Jun 16, 2010

Great post!! Thanks, Gekko - CalvoViejo, Jun 17, 2010

I must say I am happily surprised by the interest this game has generated. I know the list of pairs I'll compile from it will be very helpful for my learners! - Gekkosan, Jun 17, 2010

@Delores: Oops! Thank you! - Gekkosan, Jun 17, 2010

Answer 1

than - then

than = an adverb meaning que

then = an adverb meaning entonces

This one deserves stars and asterisks. - LateToDinner, Jun 16, 2010

Yes - another one that English speakers confuse. - Gekkosan, Jun 16, 2010

I am very thankful for the enthusiastic response that this post received. I have seen enough repetitions by now that I think it's time to mark it as accepted. There are many, many great contributions. - Gekkosan, Jun 18, 2010

I am simply accepting this one because it is one of th important ones that confuses both English speakers and learners, and because it got the most votes. - Gekkosan, Jun 18, 2010

Gracias, Gekkosan! - Pajaro44, Jun 18, 2010

Answer 2

tow - toe (llevar - dedo de pie)

Oh, nice one! - Gekkosan, Jun 16, 2010

Answer 3

pero - perro (but - dog)

Answer 4

week - weak (semana - débil)

Answer 5

deer - dear (venado - querido/a)

Answer 6

bear - beer

oso - cervecita...qué rica

And bear - bare. desnudo - LateToDinner, Jun 16, 2010

Answer 7

peace = la paz

piece = la pieza

Peas... - Gekkosan, Jun 16, 2010

Answer 8

stationary - estacionario

stationery - papelería

Answer 9

Your -- you're tuyo -- eres

Answer 10

their - there - they're

their = an adjective meaning "su"

there = an adverb meaning "allí, ahí, allá"

they're = a contraction of they + are = "ellos son"

My Gekko immitation: & they're ... ellos son ... - LateToDinner, Jun 16, 2010

:-) This is one of those words that gives trouble even to seasoned English speakers. - Gekkosan, Jun 16, 2010

Good point, Late! I've just added "they're"! - Pajaro44, Jun 16, 2010

Answer 11

Through - though

a traves - a pesar de

Answer 12

Write - Rite (escribir - rito)

Don't forget right :) - sunshinzmommie, Jun 18, 2010

Answer 13

lose/ loose

I still have to think about this one, when I write it! - Gekkosan, Jun 16, 2010

Answer 14

right - write derecha/o - escribir

Answer 15

wind -- enrollar

wind -- viento