False friendFeelingsPortuguese

Esquisito

Meaning: Actually means 'strange', 'weird' or 'odd'. For exquisite, say requintado.

Looks like: Exquisite

Origin: From Latin exquisitus, 'carefully sought out'. English took the flattering reading and so did Spanish exquisito; Portuguese went to peculiar instead.

More false friends — Feelings

  • Educado Actually means 'polite' or 'well-mannered'. For educated (schooled), say instruído.
  • Injúria Actually means 'insult' or 'slander'. A physical injury is uma lesão or um ferimento.
  • Rar Actually means 'sweet' or 'kind'. En rar person is a lovely person. (In Norwegian, rar me…
  • Grine Actually means 'to cry' or to pull a sour face. In Danish, grine means 'to laugh' — the e…
  • Intelligentny (Интеллигентный) (Intelligentnyy) Actually means 'cultured' and 'well-mannered'. For clever, say умный (umny).
  • Simpatichny (Симпатичный) (Simpatichnyy) Actually means 'good-looking' or 'likeable'. For sympathetic, say сочувствующий (sochuvst…

More Portuguese false friends

  • Livraria Actually means 'bookshop'. A library is uma biblioteca.
  • Costume Actually means 'custom' or 'habit'. Como de costume = as usual. An outfit is um traje or…
  • Balcão Actually means 'counter' — in a shop, bar or bank. A balcony is uma varanda.
  • 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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