False friendEveryday
Italian
Pretendere
Meaning: Actually means 'to demand' or 'to expect'. Pretende troppo = He demands too much.
Looks like: Pretend
Origin: From Latin praetendere — Italian kept 'to claim/demand'; English took 'to falsely appear'.
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: Proverbs
Short sayings of timeless wisdom from more than 50 cultures, each with its meaning and origin.
- Ogni bel gioco dura poco Even pleasant things become tiresome if they go on too long, so know when to stop.
- Del senno di poi son piene le fosse Wisdom after the event is useless.
- Tanti galli a cantar non fa mai giorno When too many people give orders, nothing gets done.
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