6.3 False Cognates

When a word from in the source language looks like a word from the target language but has a different meaning, the translator may easily fall into the trap of translating the word into it’s false cognate (look alike) and change the message of the source text. In order to avoid this mistake, here we’ll take a look at the different kinds of cognates and begin to study some examples of common false cognates between Spanish and English.

a) Definition of cognates - true, false, and partial

Between English and Spanish there are many cognates, which can be defined as two words that resemble one another in both languages. Many times these are true cognates which share the same meaning. For example:

True cognates:

nación   =  nation                        inmigrante  =  immigrant

importante  =  important             música = music

Other cognates are partial false cognates, sharing one meaning but not another.

Partial false cognates:

• preciso =                    exact or precise
                                    but also necessary 
                                    Es preciso hacerlo ahora. = It’s necessary to do it now.
• convicción =               conviction, as in beliefs
                                    but not conviction as in penal sentence, instead use “condena”.
• aplicar =                     to apply one substance to another
                                    but not to apply for a job or school, instead use “solicitar”

Finally, there are some words that are similar in form but not in meaning. These are false cognates and should be learned to avoid making mistakes in translation. For example:

False cognates:

• actual does not mean “actual” but rather “current”

(for “actually” use “en verdad” or “verdaderamente” in Spanish)

• decepción does not mean “deception” but rather “disappointment”

(for “deception” use “engaño” in Spanish)

• pretender does not mean “to pretend” but rather “to intend to” or “to try”

(for “to pretend”  use “fingir” or “simular” in Spanish)

It is important to be aware of false cognates and to try to learn as many as possible so as to avoid making mistakes in translation. For example:

Example 6.9

Source Text

Translation with false cognate confusion

Corrected Translation

b) Common false cognates between Spanish and English

Here is a sample of some more false cognates between Spanish and English:

Spanish                                                  English 

carpeta  (folder)                                     carpet   (alfombra)
causualidad  (coincidence)                   casualty  (baja, víctima)
advertencia  (warning)                          advertisement (anuncio)
colegio  (school)                                    college  (universidad)
fábrica  (factory)                                    fabric   (tela)
introducir  (to insert)                             to introduce  (presentar)
raro   (strange)                                       rare   (poco común)
molestar  (to bother)                              to molest  (acosar sexualmente)
embarazada  (pregnant)                        embarrassed  (apenado, avergonzado)
sensible  (sensitive)                               sensible  (razonable)
sorportar (to put up with, tolerate)         to support  (apoyar)
librería   (bookstore)                               library   (biblioteca)