False friendEverydaySpanish

Éxito

Meaning: Actually means 'success'. An exit is una salida.

Looks like: Exit

Origin: From Latin exitus, 'outcome' — a good outcome, that is.

More false friends — Everyday

  • Handy Actually means 'a mobile phone'. For handy/useful, say praktisch.
  • Fast Actually means 'almost'. For fast/quick, say schnell.
  • Actual Actually means 'current' or 'present'. For actual (real), say real or verdadero.
  • Largo Actually means 'long'. For large, say grande.
  • Carpeta Actually means 'folder' or 'binder'. A carpet is una alfombra.
  • Lectura Actually means 'reading'. A lecture is una conferencia.

More Spanish false friends

  • Molestar Actually means 'to bother' or 'to annoy'. ¿Te molesta el ruido? = Does the noise bother y…
  • Simpático Actually means 'nice' or 'likeable'. For sympathetic, say comprensivo.
  • Compromiso Actually means 'commitment', 'obligation', or 'engagement'. For a negotiated compromise,…
  • Gracioso Actually means 'funny' or 'amusing'. For gracious (kind and polite), say amable.
  • Pretender Actually means 'to aim for', 'to try to achieve', or 'to claim'. For pretend (fake), say…
  • Asistir Actually means 'to attend' an event. For assist (to help), say ayudar.

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