Home › False Friends

Livraria

Meaning: Actually means 'bookshop'. A library is uma biblioteca.

Language: Portuguese

Literally: library

Category: Places

Origin: From Latin liber, 'book' — the same split as French librairie: the place that sells books, not the one that lends them.

More false friends — Places

  • Balcão — Actually means 'counter' — in a shop, bar or bank. A balcony is uma varanda.
  • Grind — Actually means 'gate' — the garden or field kind. To grind is mala.
  • Librairie — Actually means 'bookshop'. A library is une bibliothèque.
  • Coin — Actually means 'corner'. A coin you spend is une pièce.
  • Location — Actually means 'rental'. Une location de voiture = a car rental. For location (place), sa…
  • Gymnasium — Actually means 'grammar school' or 'academic high school'. A sports hall is eine Turnhall…

More Portuguese false friends

  • 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.
  • 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.

← Back to False Friends

Loading the full interactive collection…