Pasta

Meaning: Actually means 'folder' or 'briefcase'. Pasta (the food) is massa.

Language: Portuguese

Literally: pasta

Category: Everyday

Origin: From Late Latin pasta, 'dough/paste'; Portuguese extended it to flat, folder-shaped things.

More false friends — Everyday

• Gift — Actually means 'poison'. A present is ein Geschenk.
• Éxito — Actually means 'success'. An exit is una salida.
• 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.

More Portuguese false friends

• Polvo — Actually means 'octopus'. For powder, say pó.
• Jornal — Actually means 'newspaper'. For a personal journal (diary), say diário.

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