Part II: Transitioning from Spanish to Portuguese
Posted on 10. Mar, 2008 by Transparent Language in False Friends, Vocabulary
Today we’ll take a look at some more false cognates in Spanish and Portuguese, continuing with tips about how to transition from Spanish to Portuguese.
SPANISH ENGLISH PORTUGUESE
barata sale promoção
cucaracha cockroach barata
Examples:
Hay una barata en esa tienda. There’s a sale at that store. Tem uma promoção nessa loja.
borrar to erase apagar
manchar to stain/smear borrar
Examples:
Borré el documento entero. I erased the whole document. Apaguei o documento todo.
Manchaste tu camisa. You stained your shirt. Borrou sua camisa.
cuello neck pescoço
conejo rabbit coelho
Examples:
Me puse el collar en el cuello. I put the necklace around my neck. Coloquei o colar no meu pescoço.
propina tip gorjeta
soborno bribe propina
Example:
Dejaste una propina para el mesero? Did you leave the waiter a tip? Deixou uma gorjeta para o garçom?
And now for the false cognates to end all false cognates.
oficina office escritório
taller workshop/repairs shop oficina
escritorio desk secretário
Example:
Estoy en la oficina. I’m at the office. Estou no escritório.
Llevaron el coche al taller. They brought the car into the repairs shop. Levaram o carro à oficina.
Dejé la propuesta en mi escritorio. I left the proposal on my desk. Deixei a proposta no secretário.
This is really helpful. It’s actually helping my brain sort out the dusty old Spanish that’s in there somewhere!
I totally had to push it into a deep dark corner of my brain in order to stop making mistakes as a beginner Portuguese learner, but now that my Portuguese is more solidified, it would be a good idea to make an effort to re-activate that language knowledge.
thanks Rachel for another great post!!
LOL! I can imagine unknowingly telling someone that “There is a cockroach in that store” and being sued for slander (only kidding; I’m a lawyer).
Bud
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barata sale promoção
cucaracha cockroach barata
Examples:
Hay una barata en esa tienda. There’s a sale at that store. Tem uma promoção nessa loja.
“Barata / barato” means “cheap/low price” too in Portuguese.
Ex.:
“Esta xícara está barata.”
This cup is cheap.
And, there is also “suborno” in Portuguese that means “propina” (bribe).