False Friends in English and Portuguese

 

False friends are pairs of words in two languages that look or sound similar but have different meanings. These can be a major source of confusion for learners of either language, especially when translating or speaking. English and Portuguese share many such false friends, which often cause mistakes, even among intermediate speakers of either language. Below, we will explore some common false friends between English and Portuguese, using specific examples to illustrate how these words differ in meaning and usage.

 

Actual – Real / Atual – Current

 

Actual (English) means "real" or "existing" and refers to something that is true or factual in the present.

 

The actual price of the product is $100.

O preço real do produto é $100.

 

Atual (Portuguese) means "current" or "present" and refers to something happening now or in the present time.

 

A situação atual é difícil para todos.

The current situation is difficult for everyone.

 

Agenda – Pauta do dia, Pauta para Discussões / Agenda – Organizer, Diary

 

Agenda (English) refers to a list or plan of items to be discussed, often used in meetings or formal events.

 

The agenda for today’s meeting includes three main topics.

A pauta do dia da reunião de hoje inclui três tópicos principais.

 

Agenda (Portuguese) can mean an organizer or diary used to write appointments or important events.

 

Eu preciso comprar uma agenda nova para o próximo ano.

I need to buy a new diary for the next year.

 

Anthem – Hino / Antena – Aerial, Antenna

 

Anthem (English) refers to a song or hymn, especially a national or patriotic one.

 

The national anthem is sung at the start of every event.

O hino nacional é cantado no início de todo evento.

 

Antena (Portuguese) means an aerial or antenna, the device used to receive signals.

 

A antena do meu televisor precisa ser ajustada.

The antenna of my TV needs to be adjusted.

 

Apologize – Desculpar-se / Apologizar (fazer apologia) – To Make Defense

 

Apologize (English) means to express regret or say sorry for an action.

 

I apologize for being late to the meeting.

Peço desculpas por chegar atrasado à reunião.

 

Apologizar (Portuguese) means to make a defense of something, often used in a more formal or philosophical context.

 

Ele apologizou suas ações durante o debate.

He made a defense of his actions during the debate.

 

Attend – Assistir, Participar / Atender (ao telefone) – To Answer the Telephone

 

Attend (English) means to be present at an event or participate in something.

 

I will attend the conference next week.

Eu participarei da conferência na próxima semana.

 

Atender (Portuguese) means to answer or assist, particularly in the context of answering the phone or attending to someone's needs.

 

Preciso atender a chamada agora.

I need to answer the call now.

 

Balcony – Sacada, Varanda Suspensa / Balcão – Counter

 

Balcony (English) refers to a platform or railing outside a building, usually above ground level.

 

She enjoys having coffee on the balcony every morning.

Ela gosta de tomar café na sacada todas as manhãs.

 

Balcão (Portuguese) means a counter, as in the counter in a store or service desk.

 

O balcão da loja estava vazio durante a manhã.

The store counter was empty in the morning.

 

Casualty – Baixa (Mortes em Acidente ou Guerra) / Casualidade – Chance

 

Casualty (English) refers to someone who has been injured or killed in an accident, war, or disaster.

 

There were many casualties in the car crash.

Houve muitas baixas no acidente de carro.

 

Casualidade (Portuguese) means chance or a random event that occurs without intention.

 

Foi uma casualidade que ele tivesse chegado justo no momento certo.

It was a chance that he arrived just at the right moment.

 

Cigar – Charuto / Cigarro – Cigarette

 

Cigar (English) refers to a rolled bundle of dried and fermented tobacco leaves, typically larger than a cigarette.

 

He smoked a cigar at the celebration.

Ele fumou um charuto na celebração.

 

Cigarro (Portuguese) refers to a cigarette, the smaller, often mass-produced tobacco product.

 

Ele acendeu um cigarro após o almoço.

He lit a cigarette after lunch.

 

College – Faculdade / Colégio – School

 

College (English) refers to an institution for higher education, typically after high school.

 

She is studying at a prestigious college.

Ela está estudando em uma faculdade prestigiada.

 

Colégio (Portuguese) refers to a school, especially a primary or secondary educational institution.

 

Meu filho vai para o colégio amanhã.

My son is going to school tomorrow.

 

Costume – Fantasia (Traje), Traje Típico / Costume – Habit, Custom

 

Costume (English) refers to a disguise or set of clothes worn for special occasions like Halloween or a party.

 

She wore a princess costume to the party.

Ela usou uma fantasia de princesa na festa.

 

Costume (Portuguese) refers to a habit or tradition.

 

É costume dela chegar cedo à reunião.

It’s her custom to arrive early to the meeting.

 

Data – Dados (Números, Informações) / Data – Date

 

Data (English) refers to facts, figures, or information collected for analysis.

 

The data shows an increase in sales this year.

Os dados mostram um aumento nas vendas este ano.

 

Data (Portuguese) means the date, or a specific point in time.

 

A data do evento foi alterada para amanhã.

The date of the event was changed to tomorrow.

 

Devolve – Transferir / Devolver – To Return, Give Back, Refund

 

Devolve (English) refers to the process of transferring or delegating power or responsibility.

 

The authority devolved to the local government after the election.

A autoridade foi transferida para o governo local após a eleição.)

 

Devolver (Portuguese) means to return something to its rightful owner, give back, or refund, especially in the context of objects or money.

 

Você precisa devolver o livro à biblioteca.

You need to return the book to the library.

 

Conclusion

 

The examples above highlight how false friends—words that appear to be similar in both English and Portuguese but differ in meaning—can create confusion for learners. Being aware of these false friends is crucial for anyone learning a second language, as it allows for better understanding and more accurate communication. By focusing on the context and learning the proper usage of these words, learners can avoid mistakes and sound more fluent in both English and Portuguese.

 

Bibliographic References 

 

Hernández, R. (2009). False Friends in English and Spanish: A Cross-Linguistic Study. Language Research Bulletin, 14(2), 37-50.

 

This article provides a cross-linguistic analysis of false friends between English and Spanish, offering insights into the challenges faced by learners of both languages.

 

Laufer, B., & Girsai, N. (2008). Form-focused Instruction in Second Language Vocabulary Learning: A Case of False Cognates. Language Teaching Research, 12(3), 266-286.

 

The study examines the role of false cognates (false friends) in vocabulary acquisition, with a focus on how they can be effectively taught in a second language context.

 

Benson, M., Benson, E., & Ilson, R. (2010). The BBI Combinatory Dictionary of English: Your Guide to Collocations and Grammar. John Benjamins Publishing.

 

This dictionary provides valuable insights into English vocabulary and collocations, while also highlighting instances where words might act as false friends in different contexts.

 

Cohen, A. D. (2011). Language Learning and Use of False Friends: A Handbook for Teachers and Learners. Routledge.

 

A comprehensive resource for teachers and learners to better understand the role of false friends in second language learning and teaching.

 

Kellerman, E., & Sharwood Smith, M. (1986). Crosslinguistic Influence in Second Language Acquisition. Pergamon Press.

 

This book explores how false friends and other cross-linguistic influences affect the way second language learners acquire and use their target language.

 

Ringbom, H. (2007). Crosslinguistic Similarity in Foreign Language Learning. Multilingual Matters.

 

Ringbom's work examines the role of crosslinguistic similarity, including false friends, and how it affects language learning. The book is essential for understanding how learners of English encounter and deal with false cognates.

 

Schmitt, N. (2000). Vocabulary in Language Teaching. Cambridge University Press.

 

Schmitt’s book delves into vocabulary acquisition and the challenges that false friends present, making it a useful reference for understanding how to teach and learn vocabulary in a second language.

 

Swan, M. (2005). Practical English Usage. Oxford University Press.

 

This reference book includes a section on false friends, discussing common pitfalls for English learners and offering explanations for their confusion.

 

Baker, M. (2018). In Other Words: A Coursebook on Translation (2nd ed.). Routledge.

 

Baker’s book explores the impact of false friends on translation, a crucial aspect of understanding how these words can lead to errors in both language learning and professional translation.

 

Vaughan, M. (2014). False Friends: A Comprehensive Guide for Learners of English. Oxford University Press.

 

Vaughan provides a thorough exploration of false friends between English and various languages, with an emphasis on how to recognize and avoid them in both written and spoken English.