False cognates and words that seem equal but are not equivalent
0
votes
I saw the thread for the A-Z False Cognates game already, but I think it would be useful to expand the list and not be restricted by the rules of a game or the exact meaning of "false cognates". I would restrict the discussion to words commonly used. One example surely must be masticar. It is used daily in Latin America, from what I've been told. But we never use the word 'masticate' in the United States. I'm 40 years old and I've only seen the word once in a patient's chart. The English equivalent is 'chew'. Another example is 'embarazada' and 'embarrassed'. Are there similar examples from the forum?
1794 views
updated Jul 9, 2011
posted by Intense
1 Answer
0
votes
Search this forum for "False friend" and you'll get quite a few good ones.
This one is my favorite GAME A-Z Most Misleading False Friends.
updated Jul 9, 2011
posted by pesta
That link contains wonderful information, just what I'm looking for. Thanks so much pesta. - Intense, Jul 9, 2011
I have never heard the expression "false friend" in this context. Thanks again. - Intense, Jul 9, 2011
