False friends are words in different languages that sound similar, but have different meanings. Spanish and English share a lot of words with Latin roots which can be confusing.
Here are some of the most common Spanish-English false friends to help you!
Carpeta / Carpet
carpeta = folder alfombra = carpet
Lectura / Lecture
Lectura = reading
conferencia = lecture
Enviar / Envy
enviar = send
envidia = envy
Colegio / College
Colegio = school
universidad = university, collage
Sensible / Sensible
sensible = sensitive razonable = sensible
Embarazada / Embarrassed
embarazada = pregnant avergonzado = embarrassed
Éxito / Exit
éxito = success salida = exit
Empressa / Empress
empressa = company
emperatríz = empress
Sano / Sane
sano = healthy
cuerdo = sane
Ropa / Rope
ropa = clothes cuerda = rope
Realizar / Realize
realizar = carry out, achieve, accomplish darse cuenta = realize
Sopa / Soap
sopa = soup
jabón = soap
Suceso / Success
suceso = event
éxito = success
Librería / Library
librería = bookstore biblioteca = library
Parada / Parade
parada = stop, e.g. bus stop
desfile = parade
Vaso / Vase
Vaso = drinking glass
jarrón = Vase
Fábrica / Fabric
fábrica = factory
fabric = tela
Preocupado / Preoccupied
preocupado = worried ocupado = busy, preoccupied
Introducir / Introduce
introducir = insert presentar = introduce
Molestar / Molest
molestar = disturb, annoy violar = molest
I hope you learned some new Spanish - English false friends. If you can think of anymore please leave them in the comments!