False friendEveryday
Spanish
Carpeta
Meaning: Actually means 'folder' or 'binder'. A carpet is una alfombra.
Looks like: Carpet
Origin: From French carpette, a small rug — Spanish repurposed the word for flat, folder-shaped objects.
More Spanish false friends
- Gracioso Actually means 'funny' or 'amusing'. For gracious (kind and polite), say amable.
- Sensible Actually means 'sensitive' or 'perceptible'. For sensible (levelheaded), say sensato.
- Disgusto Actually means 'displeasure', 'upset', or 'trouble'. For disgust (revulsion), say asco.
- Ropa Actually means 'clothes'. A rope is una cuerda.
- Sopa Actually means 'soup'. Soap is jabón.
- Once Actually means 'eleven'. For once (one time), say una vez.
Explore another collection: Compliments & Insults
Compliments and insults from around the world, from the sweet to the savage.
- Eres más bueno que el pan You are a genuinely good, kind soul.
- Tienes menos luces que un barco pirata You're really not the brightest.
- Eres más lento que el caballo del malo You're painfully slow — the villain's horse never catches the hero.
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