Pretendere

Meaning: Actually means 'to demand' or 'to expect'. Pretende troppo = He demands too much.

Language: Italian

Literally: pretend

Category: Everyday

Origin: From Latin praetendere — Italian kept 'to claim/demand'; English took 'to falsely appear'.

More false friends — Everyday

• Parente — Actually means 'relative'. A parent (mother or father) is un genitore.
• 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.

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.

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