False friendFeelingsItalian

Bravo

Meaning: Actually means 'good, skilled, well-behaved'. For brave, say coraggioso.

Looks like: Brave

Origin: Sei bravo = you're good at it — courage not required.

More false friends — Feelings

  • Molestar Actually means 'to bother' or 'to annoy'. ¿Te molesta el ruido? = Does the noise bother y…
  • Simpático Actually means 'nice' or 'likeable'. For sympathetic, say comprensivo.
  • Gracioso Actually means 'funny' or 'amusing'. For gracious (kind and polite), say amable.
  • Sensible Actually means 'sensitive' or 'perceptible'. For sensible (levelheaded), say sensato.
  • Chance Actually means 'luck'. Bonne chance! = Good luck! For chance (probability), say une possi…
  • Sympathique Actually means 'nice' or 'pleasant'. Il est très sympathique = He's very nice — not 'He's…

More Italian false friends

  • Camera Actually means 'room'. A camera (device) is una macchina fotografica.
  • Pretendere Actually means 'to demand' or 'to expect'. Pretende troppo = He demands too much.
  • Parente Actually means 'relative'. A parent (mother or father) is un genitore.
  • Annoiare Actually means 'to bore'. Mi annoi = You're boring me — gentler than 'you're annoying me'.
  • Firma Actually means 'signature'. Metti la tua firma = Put your signature here.
  • Magazzino Actually means 'warehouse' or 'storeroom'. A magazine (periodical) is una rivista.

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Compliments and insults from around the world, from the sweet to the savage.

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