False friendEverydayItalian

Parente

Meaning: Actually means 'relative'. A parent (mother or father) is un genitore.

Looks like: Parent

Origin: From Latin parens — Italian broadened to all relatives; English narrowed to mother/father only.

More false friends — Everyday

  • Firma Actually means 'signature'. Metti la tua firma = Put your signature here.
  • Conveniente Actually means 'affordable', 'good value', or 'suitable'. È conveniente = It's a good dea…
  • Fart Actually means 'speed' or 'momentum'. Full fart = full speed ahead.
  • Semester Actually means 'holiday' or 'vacation'. A school semester is en termin.
  • Full Actually means 'drunk'. Jeg er full = I'm drunk — not full after a meal.
  • Jornal Actually means 'newspaper'. For a personal journal (diary), say diário.

More Italian false friends

  • Annoiare Actually means 'to bore'. Mi annoi = You're boring me — gentler than 'you're annoying me'.
  • Magazzino Actually means 'warehouse' or 'storeroom'. A magazine (periodical) is una rivista.
  • Morbido Actually means 'soft', 'gentle', or 'smooth'. Una voce morbida = a gentle, smooth voice.
  • Fattoria Actually means 'farm'. A factory is una fabbrica.
  • Fame Actually means 'hunger'. Ho fame = I'm hungry. For fame (renown), say fama.
  • Caldo Actually means 'hot' (or a hot broth). Cold is freddo.

Explore another collection: Idioms

Colorful expressions from dozens of languages, with their word-for-word translations.

Browse all idioms →

Keep exploring

Explore all false friends →