false friend
1 of 1noun/ˈfɔls ˈfrɛnd/
Forms:false friends
1
a word in a foreign language that looks or sounds similar to a word in one's own language but has a different meaning
- "Embarazada" in Spanish means pregnant, not embarrassed as in English, illustrating a classic false friend.
- In German, "Gift" means poison, not a present as in English, highlighting another false friend.
- "Preservative" in English refers to additives in food, while "preservativo" in Italian means condom.
- The French word "pain" means bread, not pain as in English, demonstrating yet another false friend.
- "Exit" in English means a way out, but "éxito" in Spanish means success, showing another instance of a false friend.