False friendEveryday
Portuguese
PortuguesePuxe
Meaning: Actually means 'pull' — the imperative of puxar. The door sign telling you to push says empurre.
Looks like: Push
Origin: From Latin pulsāre, 'to strike, drive' — the very same root as English 'push'. One language took the force as moving away, the other as drawing toward, leaving the two door signs in perfect opposition.
More Portuguese false friends
- Esquisito Actually means 'strange', 'weird' or 'odd'. For exquisite, say requintado.
- Livraria Actually means 'bookshop'. A library is uma biblioteca.
- 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.
- Polvo Actually means 'octopus'. For powder, say pó.
Explore another collection: Tongue Twisters
Tricky phrases to practice out loud, from languages around the world.
- A aranha arranha a rã. A rã arranha a aranha. Contrasts the soft single r of aranha against the hard rolled rr of arranha — one letter…
- O rato roeu a roupa do rei de Roma; a rainha com raiva roeu o resto. An unstoppable 'r' trill drill — every key word begins or ends with the Portuguese r.
- Um tigre, dois tigres, três tigres tristes triscam trigo num trigal. A 'tr' cluster drill that adds a sad adjective to make the alliteration worse.
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