False friendEveryday
Portuguese
Jornal
Meaning: Actually means 'newspaper'. For a personal journal (diary), say diário.
Looks like: Journal
Origin: From Latin diurnalis via French journal — Portuguese kept the printed-news meaning.
More Portuguese false friends
- Puxe Actually means 'pull' — the imperative of puxar. The door sign telling you to push says e…
- Esquisito Actually means 'strange', 'weird' or 'odd'. For exquisite, say requintado.
- 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…
- 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.
Explore another collection: Idioms
Colorful expressions from dozens of languages, with their word-for-word translations.
- dar um tiro no pé To harm oneself through one's own actions; to undermine one's own interests.
- sujo falando do mal lavado Hypocritical criticism from someone guilty of the same fault being criticized.
- pôr os pontos nos is To clarify a matter by spelling out details explicitly.
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