Sound More Natural: 5 English 'False Friends' That Trick Spanish Speakers

Carpet?

false friends

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Spanish version

Imagine this: you're in a business meeting with native English speakers and you want to talk about what your company is doing right now. So, you confidently say, "Actually, our team is developing a new strategy." You see a few confused looks. Why?

Because you just fell into the "false friend" trap!

"False friends," or falsos amigos as we know them in Spanish, are words that look and sound similar in both languages but have completely different meanings. They are one of the most common reasons for mistakes and misunderstandings, even for advanced speakers.

But don't worry! As your English coach, I'm here to help. Let's look at five of the most common false friends so you can avoid them and start sounding more natural and confident.

1. Actually vs. Actualmente

This is easily the most common false friend. While it seems like a direct translation, it’s not.

The Common Mistake: "I am actually working as a project manager." ❌

What "Actually" Means: In English, this word means "in reality" or "in fact" (de hecho). It's used to emphasize something that is true or to correct a misunderstanding.

Example: "He looks young, but he's actually 50 years old."

What You Should Say for Actualmente: To talk about something happening now, use words like currently, right now, or at the moment.

Correct Sentence: "Currently, I am working as a project manager." ✅

2. Carpet vs. Carpeta

This one can cause some funny images in your listener's mind.

The Common Mistake: "Please put the documents in the carpet." ❌

What "Carpet" Means: This is the soft material that covers a floor (alfombra).

Example: "The new office has a grey carpet."

What You Should Say for Carpeta: The correct word for a container that holds papers is folder.

Correct Sentence: "Please put the documents in the folder." ✅

3. Library vs. Librería

This mistake can send you to the wrong place!

The Common Mistake: "I need to go to the library to buy the new novel by Stephen King." ❌

What "Library" Means: A library (biblioteca) is a public place where you go to borrow books for free.

Example: "I study at the public library every Saturday."

What You Should Say for Librería: A place where you buy books is a bookstore or bookshop.

Correct Sentence: "I need to go to the bookstore to buy the new novel by Stephen King." ✅

4. Embarrassed vs. Embarazada

This one is very important! Making this mistake can be... well, embarrassing.

The Common Mistake: "My sister is embarrassed." (When you mean she is pregnant). ❌

What "Embarrassed" Means: This describes the feeling of being shy, ashamed, or self-conscious (avergonzado/a).

Example: "I was so embarrassed when I forgot his name."

What You Should Say for Embarazada: The correct English word is pregnant.

Correct Sentence: "My sister is pregnant." ✅

5. Assist vs. Asistir

This is a very common point of confusion in professional and academic settings.

The Common Mistake: "I couldn't assist the meeting yesterday." ❌

What "Assist" Means: This word means "to help" or "to support" (ayudar).

Example: "Can I assist you with that heavy box?"

What You Should Say for Asistir: When you mean you were present at an event, the correct verb is to attend.

Correct Sentence: "I couldn't attend the meeting yesterday." ✅

Turn Your 'False Friends' into Real Progress

Learning to spot these tricky words is a huge step toward English fluency. Every mistake you correct is a sign of progress. Don't be afraid to make them, but always be ready to learn from them. By mastering these five common falsos amigos, you are on your way to speaking with more accuracy and confidence.

Now it's your turn!

What other English false friends have you discovered? Share your examples in the comments below—let's help each other learn