Think You Know Spanish? Think Again!

If you’ve ever said “Estoy embarazada” when you meant to say you were embarrassed… you’re not alone! 🙈

Spanish false friends mistakes are sneaky Spanish words that look like English words but mean something completely different. These little traps can lead to hilarious—and sometimes awkward—mistakes. In this guide, we’ll break down the most common Spanish false friends mistakes, explain how to avoid them, and help you feel more confident speaking Spanish in real-life situations.

Let’s dive in so you never accidentally tell someone you’re pregnant (unless you are)!

Common Spanish False Friends You Should Know

Here are some of the most common and confusing false friends that trip up beginner and lower-intermediate Spanish learners.

1. Embarazada ≠ Embarrassed

• Meaning: Embarazada = pregnant
• Correct word for embarrassed: Avergonzado/a

Incorrect: Estoy embarazada. (I’m embarrassed.)

Correct: Estoy avergonzada. (I’m embarrassed.)

💡 Tip: Remember: “Embarazada = expecting.” Use context clues!

2. Realizar ≠ Realize

• Meaning: Realizar = to carry out / to achieve
• Correct word for realize: Darse cuenta

Incorrect: Finalmente realicé que estaba equivocada. (I finally realized I was wrong.)

Correct: Finalmente me di cuenta de que estaba equivocada.

3. Ropa ≠ Rope

• Meaning: Ropa = clothes
• Correct word for rope: Cuerda

Incorrect: Necesito una ropa para amarrar esto. (I need a rope to tie this.)

Correct: Necesito una cuerda para amarrar esto.

4. Asistir ≠ Assist

• Meaning: Asistir = to attend
• Correct word for assist: Ayudar

Incorrect: Voy a asistir a los clientes. (I’m going to help the clients.)

Correct: Voy a ayudar a los clientes.

5. Sensible ≠ Sensible

• Meaning: Sensible = sensitive
• Correct word for sensible: Sensato/a

Incorrect: Ella es muy sensible con el dinero. (She is very practical with money.)

Correct: Ella es muy sensata con el dinero.

Challenge!

Find another false friend, look up its real meaning, and write a sentence with it. Here are a few to try:

• Constipado (Hint: it doesn’t mean you’re backed up!)
• Molestar
• Soportar

How to Avoid Spanish False Friends Mistakes

False friends are tricky, but with the right strategies, you can avoid falling for them.

Always Double-Check Similar Words

• Use a trusted bilingual dictionary (not Google Translate alone).
• Look for example sentences in context.

Don’t Translate Word-for-Word

Spanish and English often structure ideas differently. Focus on meaning, not matching.

Example: “Voy a asistir a la conferencia.”

• Literal: I’m going to assist the conference ❌
• Actual: I’m going to attend the conference ✅

Learn Through Context and Repetition

Read Spanish content (news, TV shows, podcasts) and notice how familiar-looking words are used.

Cultural Insight

False friends often appear because English and Spanish share many Latin roots. But while the spelling is similar, centuries of change have altered meanings. Knowing these differences helps avoid awkward or funny errors, especially when traveling or working with Spanish speakers.

Challenge!

Correct this sentence:

• “Estoy muy excitado para la fiesta.”
• Hint: Excitado has a more… “romantic” meaning! 😅

Corrected: “Estoy muy emocionado para la fiesta.”

Grammar Tips for False Friends

Let’s look at some false friends that are verbs—and see how to conjugate them in different tenses. This helps you use them confidently in all situations.

Realizar (to achieve / carry out)

Tense	Yo	Tú	Él/Ella/Ud.	Nosotros	Ellos/Uds.
Present	realizo	realizas	realiza	realizamos	realizan
Preterite	realicé	realizaste	realizó	realizamos	realizaron
Imperfect	realizaba	realizabas	realizaba	realizábamos	realizaban
Future	realizaré	realizarás	realizará	realizaremos	realizarán

Examples:

• Realizo mis sueños poco a poco. (I’m achieving my dreams little by little.)
• ¡Realizaste un gran trabajo! (You did a great job!)

Asistir (to attend)

Tense	Yo	Tú	Él/Ella/Ud.	Nosotros	Ellos/Uds.
Present	asisto	asistes	asiste	asistimos	asisten
Preterite	asistí	asististe	asistió	asistimos	asistieron
Imperfect	asistía	asistías	asistía	asistíamos	asistían
Future	asistiré	asistirás	asistirá	asistiremos	asistirán

Examples:

• Siempre asisto a las reuniones. (I always attend the meetings.)
• Mañana asistiré a una conferencia. (Tomorrow I’ll attend a conference.)

Real-Life Contexts: Watch Out for These!

Travel

• “Necesito ropa para la playa.” (I need clothes for the beach.)
• “Voy a asistir a una boda en México.” (I’m attending a wedding in Mexico.)

Work

• “Mi jefe realizó un cambio importante.” (My boss made an important change.)
• “No puedo soportar tanto ruido en la oficina.” (I can’t stand so much noise in the office.)

Relationships

• “No quiero molestarte.” (I don’t want to bother you.)
• “Ella es muy sensible cuando hablamos de su familia.” (She’s very sensitive when we talk about her family.)

Regional Differences: Spain vs. Latin America

While false friends usually cause confusion for English speakers, they can also vary between Spanish-speaking countries.

• In Spain, coger is a normal verb for “to take” or “grab.” In Latin America, it can have a sexual meaning—be careful!
• Excitado is used in both regions but is rarely used to mean excited. Use emocionado/a instead.

When in doubt, go for the most neutral, common version of a word like emocionado, ayudar, or ropa.

Pronunciation and Speaking Tips

• Ropa – the R is tapped lightly, like a quick “d” in “ladder” (in American English).
• Realizar – stress is on the final syllable: re-a-li-ZAR
• Asistir – all syllables are clear: a-sis-TIR

Practice reading sentences aloud slowly, paying attention to syllable stress and rhythm.

Practice Exercises 🎓

Fill in the blank:

1. Mañana voy a ________ a una clase de cocina.
2. Ella se ________ cuenta del error.
3. Necesito una ________ para colgar la piñata.

Translate into Spanish:

1. I’m so embarrassed!
2. I realized the problem.
3. He attended the event.

Create Your Own Sentences:

Use these false friends correctly:

• Emocionado
• Ropa
• Asistir

Keep Learning with Us!

False friends are just one of the many fun (and funny) parts of learning Spanish. Now that you’re better prepared, you’ll sound more natural and avoid awkward slip-ups.

Like this post? Share it with your fellow Spanish learners! Want more lessons like this? Join our email newsletter for free Spanish tips, videos, and practice guides! Subscribe to our YouTube channel and follow us on Instagram and facebook for daily Spanish boosts!

And don’t forget to visit my previous blogs with topics like How to Use Gustar & Similar Verbs

Hasta pronto, amigo/a. ¡Tú puedes hablar mejor español!

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