What are some common false cognates in Spanish?

False cognates, or false friends, are words that look similar in different languages but have different meanings. Here are some common false cognates in Spanish:

1. Actual: In Spanish, "actual" means current or present, not "actual" as in real or factual. The Spanish equivalent for the English "actual" is "real" or "verdadero."

2. Asistir: While it may look like "assist," "asistir" means to attend, not to assist. The Spanish verb for assisting is "ayudar."

3. Embarazada: This word may look like "embarrassed," but it means pregnant in Spanish. To express embarrassment, you should use "avergonzado" or "avergonzada."

4. Fabrica: Resembling "fabric" in English, "fábrica" means a factory in Spanish. The word for fabric is "tela" or "tejido."

5. Librería: Although it looks like "library," "librería" means a bookstore. A library is called "biblioteca" in Spanish.

6. Recordar: Similar to "record," "recordar" means to remember in Spanish. To record is "grabar" or "registar."

7. Sensible: While it resembles "sensible" in English, "sensible" in Spanish means sensitive. The Spanish word for sensible is "sensato" or "razonable."

8. Sympathía: This might look like "sympathy," but "simpatía" in Spanish refers to friendliness or likability. Sympathy in Spanish is "compasión" or "simpatía."

9. Tuna: In Spanish, "tuna" refers to a prickly pear cactus, not the fish. The word for the fish is "atún" in Spanish.

10. Realizar: While it resembles "realize," "realizar" means to carry out or accomplish, not to become aware of something. The word for realizing in Spanish is "darse cuenta."

Being aware of false cognates is crucial for effective communication and avoiding misunderstandings when learning a new language. Always double-check the meanings of words to ensure accurate usage.