Costume

Meaning: Actually means 'custom' or 'habit'. Como de costume = as usual. An outfit is um traje or uma fantasia.

Language: Portuguese

Literally: costume (outfit)

Category: Everyday

Origin: From Latin consuetudo, 'habit' — English kept the habit but narrowed it to the clothes a custom calls for.

More false friends — Everyday

• Barn — Actually means 'child'. A barn is en lada.
• Sex — Actually means 'six'. Klockan sex = six o'clock.
• Bord — Actually means 'table'. Ett bord för två = a table for two.
• Stol — Actually means 'chair' — any chair, backrest included. A stool is en pall.
• Time — Actually means 'hour'. En halv time = half an hour. Time in the general sense is tid.
• Sky — Actually means 'cloud'. The sky overhead is himmelen.

More Portuguese false friends

• Educado — Actually means 'polite' or 'well-mannered'. For educated (schooled), say instruído.
• Balcão — Actually means 'counter' — in a shop, bar or bank. A balcony is uma varanda.
• Injúria — Actually means 'insult' or 'slander'. A physical injury is uma lesão or um ferimento.
• Polvo — Actually means 'octopus'. For powder, say pó.
• Jornal — Actually means 'newspaper'. For a personal journal (diary), say diário.
• Pasta — Actually means 'folder' or 'briefcase'. Pasta (the food) is massa.

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