April 29, 2025

False Cognates That Could Ruin Your Business Deals

17 minutes

Have you ever said something in English that sounded perfectly right, but people looked at you like you said something strange? What if the word you used wasn't actually wrong, it just didn't mean what you thought it did?

In this episode, I’m talking about something that trips up a lot of people, even advanced speakers — false friends. These are those sneaky words that look or sound just like words in your native language, but actually mean something totally different in English. If your first language is Spanish, you’ve probably run into these more than once.

I walk through a few common examples that can really throw you off if you're not careful. We talk about actual and actual, assist and asistir, fabric and fábrica, and a few others that cause confusion all the time. You’ll hear how easy it is to make mistakes with these, even in professional settings.

Key Takeaways:

Double-check any word that looks familiar before using it.
Don’t be afraid to ask for clarification in team settings.
Miscommunication caused by false friends can lead to serious issues at work.

Resources:

Fluent English Pro is your go-to podcast if you want to sound more confident and professional in English. Whether you're running meetings, negotiating deals, giving presentations, or just chatting with colleagues, we’ve got you covered.

Each week, we break down essential language skills, common mistakes, and practical tips to help you improve—without taking up too much of your time. If you’re an intermediate to advanced English speaker looking to level up, tune in and start making real progress!

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