Sunday 18 October 2009

FALSE FRIENDS

concourse - not "concurso" (contest); a large area in an airport or railway station where people can walk;

confer - not "conferir" in the sense of "checar" (check); give authority, a legal right, or an honour to somebody;

disgrace - not "desgraça" (tragedy); embarrassment, humiliation, indignity;

particular - not "particular" as in "aula particular" (private); among other meanings: someone who is particular has very clear ideas about what they like and dislike and wants everything to be exactly as they like it; (Example: Mr. Drew is known for being very particular.)

pavement - not "pavimento" (floor); the same as "sidewalk" (USA); a path with a hard surface beside a road;

sympathetic - not "simpático" (friendly); kind to someone who has a problem and willing to understand how they feel;

ultimately - not "ultimamente" (lately); after a process or activity has ended; (Example: Technological advances could ultimately lead to even more job losses.)

valour - not "valor" (value) the quality of being very brave, especially in war

These are just a few. Let´s enlarge the list!!!!

5 comments:

  1. Dear Danuza,
    This is a very good idea, cause we need to know how to differ these words.

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  2. I think it was very useful because I think these are very tricky words for sure.

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  3. I didn´t know the meaning of confer..I would have translated as "conferir" ! Good to learn that !

    Ana

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  4. Dear Danuza,
    This was fantastic, because it is extremely useful. Mainly when you try to explain it to your students and they do not grasp the meaning of those false friends.
    Thanks,
    Andréa

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  5. It makes me happy to know that you guys are not only having fun but also making the most out of it

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