Cognates are words that belong to different languages but are identical or very similar in spelling and meaning. Some words appear to be cognates but are actually false cognates with different meanings across languages. Other words can have multiple meanings depending on context and are considered part-time cognates. The document provides examples of cognates, part-time cognates, and false cognates between Spanish and English.

1. ESPAÑOL-ENGLISH
COGNADOS-COGNATES
By Martha Abeille

2. What are Cognates?
Cognates are words that belong to
different languages but are
identical or very similar to each
other in spelling and meaning.
?

3. False Cognates and Part-Time Cognates
Some words seem to be cognates of English words
but they are not. They are False Cognates.
e.g. sopa in Spanish does not mean “soap”
sopa means soup in English
Other words sometimes suggest an English
equivalent, but can also have a different meaning.
They are Part-Time Cognates.
e,.g. equipo in Spanish can mean “equipment” in English but
also can be translated as “team” (depending on context).

4. False Cognates and Part-Time Cognates
Following you’ll find some examples of
Cognates, Part-time Cognates
and False Cognates.

5. Spanish-English English-Spanish
actual: current, present actual: verdadero, real
asistir: to attend, to help assist: ayudar, asistir
atender: to pay attention,
take care of, attend to
attend: asistir a, cuidar,
atender
carpeta: portfolio; file folder carpet: alfombra
carta: letter (re mail), charter cart: carro, carreta
distinto: different, clear,
several
distinct: claro, visible,
diferente, distinto
éxito: success exit: salida
embarazada: pregnant
embarrassed: turbado,
desconcertado

6. Spanish-English English-Spanish
fábrica: factory, mill, structure
fabric: tela, textura,
construcción
lectura: reading
lecture: conferencia,
lección,plática
media: stocking
media: (pl. of medium) medios de
comunicación (radio, tv etc.)
parientes: relatives parents: padres
quitar: to take away, deprive
of, subtract
quitar: abandonar, cesar,
parar, dejar de hacer algo
ropa: clothes, clothing rope: soga, cuerda
recordar: to remember,
recall, remind, awaken
record: registrar, apuntar,
grabar en disco
sauce: willow sauce: salsa, condimento

7. Spanish-English English-Spanish
simpático: agreeable,
pleasant, cogenial
sympathetic:compasivo,
simpatizante
taller: workshop, studio taller: más alto
tutor: guardian, tutor
tutor: maestro particular,
tutor
tuna: prickly pear tuna: atún
unión: joining, joint union: unión, sindicato