False friendFood & BodyItalian

Caldo

Meaning: Actually means 'hot' (or a hot broth). Cold is freddo.

Looks like: Cold

Origin: From Latin calidus, 'warm' — the exact opposite of what it looks like.

More false friends — Food & Body

  • Blesser Actually means 'to wound' or 'to injure'. Je suis blessé = I am injured — not blessed.
  • Glass Actually means 'ice cream'. En glass = an ice cream. For a glass (vessel), say ett glas.
  • Polvo Actually means 'octopus'. For powder, say pó.
  • Sopa Actually means 'soup'. Soap is jabón.
  • Fame Actually means 'hunger'. Ho fame = I'm hungry. For fame (renown), say fama.
  • Vaso Actually means 'a drinking glass'. A vase (for flowers) is un jarrón or florero.

More Italian false friends

  • Bravo Actually means 'good, skilled, well-behaved'. For brave, say coraggioso.
  • 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.

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