False friends that cause embarrassing mistakes (embarazada, constipado)

Key rules

• Embarazada: It means pregnant, so use "estoy avergonzado" or "estoy avergonzada" for embarrassed.
• Constipado: In Spain it means having a cold; constipation is "estreñimiento".
• Safer cold word: "Resfriado" is understood as a cold across the Spanish-speaking world.
• Excitado: It often means sexually aroused, so say "emocionado" or "ilusionado" for excited.

The two mistakes to avoid first

Embarazada means pregnant, not embarrassed. Saying you are "embarazada" will get congratulations, not sympathy. To say you are embarrassed, use "estoy avergonzado" (if you are a man) or "estoy avergonzada" (if you are a woman). You can also say "qué vergüenza" for "how embarrassing". In casual talk, "qué corte" works too. "Apuro" is another safe word: "qué apuro" means an awkward, uncomfortable moment.

Constipado means having a cold in Spain. "Estoy constipado" means you have a cold. A cold can also be "un constipado", "un resfriado" or "estar acatarrado". For constipation, use "estreñimiento", and call a constipated person "estreñido". In parts of Latin America, "constipado" can mean either, depending on the country. "Resfriado" is the safer word for a cold anywhere.

Other false friends worth knowing

These are common and easy to get wrong. Each is listed as the Spanish word, what it means, and what to use for the English meaning.

• Actualmente means currently, not actually. For "actually", use "en realidad".
• Asistir means to attend, not to assist. To help, use "ayudar".
• Librería is a bookshop, not a library. A library is a "biblioteca".
• Éxito means success, not exit. An exit is a "salida".
• Realizar means to carry out. To realise something, use "darse cuenta".
• Carpeta is a folder, not a carpet. A carpet is "alfombra" or "moqueta".
• Soportar means to put up with. To support, use "apoyar".
• Sensible means sensitive. For sensible, use "sensato".
• Molestar means to bother or disturb, not to molest.
• Introducir means to insert. To introduce a person, use "presentar".
• Excitado often means sexually aroused. For excited, use "emocionado" or "ilusionado".
• Parientes means relatives, not parents. Parents are "padres".
• Fábrica is a factory. Fabric is "tela".
• Largo means long. Large is "grande".
• Sopa is soup. Soap is "jabón".
• Resumir means to summarise. To resume, use "reanudar".
• Decepción means disappointment. Deception is "engaño".
• Lectura is reading. A lecture is a "conferencia" or a "clase".
• Ropa is clothes. Rope is "cuerda".
• Pretender means to try or aim to. To pretend, use "fingir".
• Suceso means an event, not a success.
• Copa is a stemmed glass or a drink. A cup is a "taza".
• Campo means countryside or field, not a camp.

Some words work both ways. "Ignorar" can mean to ignore or to be unaware of something. "Argumento" can mean the plot of a story as well as an argument. "Recordar" means both to remember and to remind.

How to stay safe

Learn the first two well, because they cause the most awkward moments. For the rest, if a Spanish word looks very like an English one, check it before you use it in a serious setting such as a doctor's office, work or an official appointment.