False friendEveryday
Portuguese
Pasta
Meaning: Actually means 'folder' or 'briefcase'. Pasta (the food) is massa.
Origin: From Late Latin pasta, 'dough/paste'; Portuguese extended it to flat, folder-shaped things.
More Portuguese false friends
- 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.
- Injúria Actually means 'insult' or 'slander'. A physical injury is uma lesão or um ferimento.
Explore another collection: Proverbs
Short sayings of timeless wisdom from more than 50 cultures, each with its meaning and origin.
- A pressa é inimiga da perfeição Rushing leads to mistakes.
- Não há bem que sempre dure nem mal que não acabe Nothing lasts forever, good times or bad.
- Cá se fazem, cá se pagam Wrongs are paid for in this life, not the next.
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