Sound the same, spelled differently

Question

The words can be in English or Spanish, but put the translation.

I came across this one while doing a test for my medical coding:

humerus = long bone of the upper arm (el húmero)

humorous= something that is funny (gracioso)

I swore I've come across Spanish equivalents, but I can't think of any at the moment. Maybe someone will remember.

Answer 1

First of all, for any serious discussion, one should not use the term "homonyms" (its meaning is too vague). More useful are "homophones" (sound the same, irrespective of how they are written) and "homographs" (written the same, irrespective of how they are pronounced). "homonyms" is a sloppy compromise (basically meaning "same word", based on either spelling or pronunciation).

Keven B identifies homophones (for those who use the 'seseo' [since they don't distinguish between 's' and 'c'/'z') and suggests that there are a 'million' in English (a somewhat inflated figure). If one ignores the tones, Chinese (whatever dialect) has far more homophones than English (hence the importance of pitch/tones in Chinese). Those that we have in English go a long way toward explaining why people resist revisions to our orthography (to make it more phonetic).

Thank you Samdie I have adjusted that/already made corrections - FELIZ77, Jun 26, 2010

Answer 2

Abrazar = to hug, to embrace, to clamp

Abrasar = to burn, set on fire

**Getting these two mixed up could be both funny and embarrassing

So, be careful not to say:" I would like to set you on fire ! "**

Especially if you aren't in those places in Spain where "z" and soft "c" are pronounced differently. - Austin67427, Jun 25, 2010

Yes, definitely ! - FELIZ77, Jun 25, 2010

That being the case, are they true homophones? They do not sound alike. - 0074b507, Jun 26, 2010

Answer 3

doe, dough - la cierva, la masa

Answer 4

rallo, rayo - grater, beam

Answer 5

casar - to marry cazar - to hunt

cocer - to cook coser - to sew

English has a million homonyms.

Answer 6

There are many homophones in English (as well as Spanish).. these include:

There use: positional: for example, "The chair over there is free"

There use making factual statements: for example, "There are 5 tables in the room"

Their use: to show Possesion (ownership: belonging to them) "All the children picked up their bags and walked out the door"

Answer 7

There are other threads on homonyms, you may want to look at this one.

Answer 8

bored=aburrido board=tablón

Answer 9

siento - feel ciento - one-hundred

Answer 10

Another one I found in my studies:

callus (a rough, raised area on the skin)--el callo

callous (heartless)--desalmado

Answer 11

die- morir

dye-teñir

die-dado