False friendPlaces
Portuguese
Livraria
Meaning: Actually means 'bookshop'. A library is uma biblioteca.
Looks like: Library
Origin: From Latin liber, 'book' — the same split as French librairie: the place that sells books, not the one that lends them.
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.
Explore another collection: Idioms
Colorful expressions from dozens of languages, with their word-for-word translations.
- Acertar na mosca To be exactly right; to hit the bullseye.
- Dar com os burros n'água To fail despite all your effort.
- Tirar o pai da forca Said of something done in frantic urgency.
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