Caldo

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

Language: Italian

Literally: cold

Category: Food & Body

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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