Common Mistakes

False Cognates That Trick English Speakers

5 min readBy Adriely Góis

Olá! Vamos conversar. Some Portuguese words look like English twins and behave like strangers. Knowing the classic traps saves you from awkward sentences.

Greatest hits

Pretender means to intend, not to pretend. Realizar means to make real, not to realize. Puxar means to pull, not to push. Empurrar means to push.

Quieter traps

Pasta is a folder, not the food. Esquisito means strange, not exquisite. Notícia is news, not notice. Atender means to answer or assist, not to attend.

Vocabulário · Take this with you

Pretendo viajar em julho.I plan to travel in July.
Que bom, vai amar.Good, you'll love it.

Let's practice together

VocêPretendo viajar em julho.I plan to travel in July.

AdrielyQue bom, vai amar.Good, you'll love it.

Adriely, sua professora brasileira. Te vejo na próxima aula.

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