Portuguese False Friends for Spanish Speakers: 8 Words to Check — Practice

Check the words for names, places, and time

Apelido usually means nickname in Brazilian Portuguese; sobrenome is the usual word for a family name. Spanish apellido means family name, so do not use apelido for that meaning without checking the context.

Oficina commonly means a workshop or repair shop in Brazil, while Spanish oficina is an office. For a workplace office, Brazilian Portuguese usually uses escritório. Portuguese rato means a mouse; Spanish rato often refers to a while or short period of time.

Watch for words whose everyday meanings split

Esquisito usually means strange or odd in Brazilian Portuguese. Spanish exquisito often means delicious or excellent, so the similar spelling can reverse the impression you intend to give.

In Brazil, pasta may mean a folder, paste, or dough depending on the phrase; Spanish pasta can refer to pasta as food and also has other regional meanings. Name the object or setting when the context is not obvious.

Avoid translating pregnancy, illness, and restaurant tips literally

Spanish embarazada means pregnant; Portuguese embaraçada can describe being tangled, awkward, or embarrassed in context. The ordinary word for pregnant in Brazilian Portuguese is grávida. If you mean embarrassed, fiquei sem graça is often a natural everyday choice.

Spanish constipado may mean having a cold in some varieties, especially in Spain. Portuguese constipado refers to constipation; resfriado is the usual Brazilian word for a cold. Spanish propina means a tip, while in Brazil gorjeta is the ordinary restaurant word. Propina is commonly understood as a bribe in Brazilian usage.

Use a three-step check when a word looks familiar

First, ask whether the Portuguese sentence still makes sense if you use the Spanish meaning. If the scene feels odd, check a Portuguese dictionary or ask a speaker for an example rather than relying on a bilingual word pair alone.

Then save the complete sentence and its situation. A note such as oficina = repair shop in this sentence is easier to recall than a context-free translation, and it leaves room for other meanings in other settings.

Remember: When Portuguese and Spanish words look alike, use context to confirm the meaning before you speak.

Check your understanding

Choose the English meaning of each Portuguese example. Answer before looking back at the tables. These questions check the written examples in this guide; they are not a listening or proficiency test.

Recall the Portuguese, then say it

Read the English prompt and say a Portuguese version before opening the answer. The answer shows the example from the lesson; other natural translations may also work. Compare the meaning and the situation rather than counting a different word as automatically wrong.

1. What is your nickname?

   Show a Portuguese answer

   Qual é o seu apelido?

2. My family name is García.

   Show a Portuguese answer

   Meu sobrenome é García.

3. The car is at the repair shop.

   Show a Portuguese answer

   O carro está na oficina.

4. I waited for a mouse to appear in the yard.

   Show a Portuguese answer

   Esperei um rato aparecer no quintal.

5. I thought the noise was strange.

   Show a Portuguese answer

   Achei o barulho esquisito.

6. I saved the contract in this folder.

   Show a Portuguese answer

   Guardei o contrato nesta pasta.

Make the phrase useful to you

Choose one example you could actually use. Say it once from memory, then change one detail that fits your life, such as the person, place, time, or object. Check whether your change also needs a different verb form, article, or adjective ending. If it does, compare it with the pattern in the explanation.

When Portuguese and Spanish words look alike, use context to confirm the meaning before you speak.

Return to two prompts tomorrow without opening the answers first. If a phrase still feels difficult, shorten it to a useful chunk and build the complete sentence again.

Sources and your next lesson

This I Speak Portuguese practice guide builds on our Portuguese False Friends for Spanish Speakers: 8 Words to Check lesson on Real Life Portuguese, with written recall tasks and additional speaking practice. The explanations and examples are teaching material; the practice questions are exercises, not a transcript of a recording.

To add Brazilian audio to your routine, choose a lesson in the Real Life Portuguese app. The app offers its own lessons and practice; this page does not imply that every example here has an app recording.