fake friends are the false cognates of English language, which are words with similar spelling in relation to the Portuguese language, but with different meanings. They should not be confused with cognates, which are similar words with similar meanings.
Read too: Five English words that were translated into Portuguese and their meanings
Topics of this article
- 1 - What are false cognates in English?
- 2 - List of false cognates in English
- 3 - Examples of false cognates in English in sentences
- 4 - What is the difference between cognates and false cognates in English?
- 5 - Solved exercises about false cognates in English
What are false cognates in English?
False cognates in English are words with a similar spelling in our language, Portuguese, but with a different meaning, sometimes even the opposite.
List of false cognates in English
terrific |
great |
I'm pushing |
to push |
to realize |
to perceive |
College |
faculty |
I intend |
to fake |
tax |
tax |
prejudice |
prejudice |
Collar |
collar |
Custom |
costume, costume |
Exit |
exit |
Ingenious |
ingenious |
novel |
literary novel |
lunch |
lunch |
Legend |
legend |
season |
temperament |
Folder |
pasta, macaroni |
to support |
support |
Library |
library |
actually |
in fact, in fact |
mayor |
mayor |
to attend |
attend |
Fabric |
tissue |
Parents |
mom and dad |
Accent |
accent |
Application |
enrollment |
sensitive |
sensible |
Mask |
mascara |
cigar |
cigar |
expert |
specialist |
Retired |
retired |
Lecture |
lecture, speech |
condom |
condom |
Date |
data |
Anthem |
hymn |
to apologize |
apologize |
exquisite |
refined |
injury |
injury |
Jar |
Bowl |
Journal |
science magazine |
Lamp |
lighting |
Magazine |
magazine |
To notice |
notice |
vegetables |
greens, vegetables |
to record |
to record |
to claim |
to recover |
Do not stop now... There's more after the publicity ;)
Examples of false cognates in English in sentences
Please, push the door slowly.
Please, Push the door slowly.
Watch out for the date you need for your college application.
Attention to data that you need for your college application.
It's not early. actually, it's already lunch team.
It's not early. In truth, it's time to lunch.
You don't like it? Just intend it's folder. you should perform that many people don't have food.
You do not like? Only pretend what is noodle. You should to perceive that many people do not have food.
Do your parents still support you?
Your country yet support you?
What is the difference between cognates and false cognates in English?
Cognates: are words that have similar spelling and meaning in different languages. Example: university and university.
False cognates (false friends): are words that have similar spellings in different languages, but different meanings, sometimes even opposites. Example: college and college.
Know more: question words — the words used in questions
Solved exercises about false cognates in English
question 1
Which of the words below is not a false friend?
A) claim
B) retired
C) college
d) college
Resolution:
Alternative C.
Reclaim resembles complaining, but is actually “requesting”. Retired resembles "retired", but is actually "retired". Therefore, alternative A and alternative B are false friends (false cognates). Option C brings university, which actually means “university”. This is therefore the correct alternative, as the terms are cognate. Option D brings college, which means “college”, not “college”, being a false friend.
question 2
False cognates are words that have similar spellings but different meanings in different languages. Therefore, the word car é:
A) a false cognate, as it means car.
B) a false cognate, as it does not mean car.
C) a cognate, as it does not mean car.
D) a cognate, as it means car.
Resolution:
Alternative D.
car is cognate with car.
By Beta Maria Xavier Reis
English teacher
Would you like to reference this text in a school or academic work? Look:
REIS, Beta Maria Xavier. "False cognates in English (false friends)"; Brazil School. Available in: https://brasilescola.uol.com.br/ingles/falsos-cognatos-em-ingles-false-friends.htm. Accessed March 31, 2023.
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