Home › False Friends

Camera

Meaning: Actually means 'room'. A camera (device) is una macchina fotografica.

Language: Italian

Literally: camera

Category: Places

Origin: From Latin camera, 'vault' — the camera was named after its dark room (camera obscura); Italian kept the room.

More false friends — Places

  • Magazzino — Actually means 'warehouse' or 'storeroom'. A magazine (periodical) is una rivista.
  • Magazin (Магазин) — Actually means 'shop' or 'store'. A magazine (periodical) is журнал (zhurnal).
  • See — Actually means 'lake' (der See) or 'sea' (die See). To see is sehen.
  • Fattoria — Actually means 'farm'. A factory is una fabbrica.
  • Librairie — Actually means 'bookshop'. A library is une bibliothèque.
  • Coin — Actually means 'corner'. A coin you spend is une pièce.

More Italian false friends

  • 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.
  • Conveniente — Actually means 'affordable', 'good value', or 'suitable'. È conveniente = It's a good dea…
  • Morbido — Actually means 'soft', 'gentle', or 'smooth'. Una voce morbida = a gentle, smooth voice.

← Back to False Friends

Loading the full interactive collection…