Cognates and False Cognates
Cognate: a word that looks similar in two languages and means the same thing in both languages.
- e.g. estudiante in Spanish looks like and means student in English.
False cognate: a word that looks similar in two languages but does not mean the same thing.
- e.g. ropa in Spanish looks like rope in English, but it means clothes.
Tutorial: Cognates and False Cognates
Try using an online dictionary to complete this activity.
Instructions
1. Click anywhere on the card to see the answer.
2. If you know the answer, click “Got it!”. The word won´t come back.
3. If you don´t know the answer, click “Need more practice”. The word will come back.
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[q]Cognate or false cognate?
inteligente
[a]cognate (inteligente = intelligent)
[q]Cognate or false cognate?
éxito
[a]false cognate (éxito = success)
[q]Cognate or false cognate?
banco
[a]cognate (banco = bank)
[q]Cognate or false cognate?
embarazada
[a]false cognate (embarazada = pregnant)
[q]Cognate or false cognate?
hospital
[a]cognate (hospital = hospital)
[q]Cognate or false cognate?
ropa
[a]false cognate (ropa = clothes)
[q]teléfono
[a]cognate (teléfono = telephone)
[q]Cognate or false cognate?
sopa
[a]false cognate (sopa = soup)
[q]Cognate or false cognate?
molestar
[a]false cognate (molestar = to annoy)
[q]Cognate or false cognate?
parque
[a]cognate (parque = park)
[/qdeck]