Part One
By Federica Lupis, https://www.federicalupis.com/
Author of "Fluent On The First Try" and "Why You're Not Fluent and How To Fix It"
Language trainer, interpreter and translator.
False friends are words whose spelling or pronunciation is similar to a word in one's native language but whose meaning is different.
In this article, you'll find the most common Italian false friends.
Enjoy!
ANNOIARSI vs TO ANNOY
Annoiarsi = to be bored
To annoy = infastidire, dare fastidio, irritare
Quando non ho niente da fare, mi annoio.
When I have nothing to do, I get bored.
Le persone che si lamentano sempre mi infastidiscono.
People who always complain annoy me.
ARGOMENTO vs ARGUMENT
Argomento = topic
Argument = discussione, litigio
Qual è l'argomento di oggi?
What's today's topic?
Generalmente, è meglio non parlare di politica e religione per evitare discussioni.
In general, it is better not to talk about politics and religion to avoid arguments.
ATTENDERE vs TO ATTEND
Attendere = to wait
To attend = andare a, partecipare a, frequentare
Attenda in linea per favore
Hold the line, please/Please wait
Parteciperai alla cerimonia?
Will you attend the ceremony?
AVVERTIMENTO vs ADVERTISEMENT
Avvertimento = warning
Advertisement = pubblicitÃ
If you watch Italian crime series, you will often hear this:
Questo è l’ultimo avvertimento. Mettiti in ginocchio, e metti le mani sulla testa.
This is the last warning. Get on your knees, and put your hands on your head.
Non guardo più la televisione perché c’è troppa pubblicità . Preferisco i servizi di streaming in abbonamento.
I no longer watch television because there is too much advertising. I prefer subscription streaming services.
DELUSIONE vs DELUSION
Delusione = disappointment
Delusion = illusione, allucinazione
Essere delusi = to be disappointed
Quando il governo fa continui tagli all'istruzione, la delusione dei giovani cresce.
When the government makes continuous cuts in education, the disappointment of young people grows.
Non sono arrabbiato, sono deluso.
I’m not angry, I’m disappointed.
Quell'uomo malvagio vive nell'illusione di essere uno dei più grandi politici americani.
That evil man lives under the delusion that he is one of America's greatest politicians.
ECCITATO vs EXCITED
Not long ago, I had a chat with my sister about the word 'eccitato'.
To me, 'eccitato' means 'sexually excited' and I've never used this word to express my excitement about a trip or seeing a friend.
My sister agreed with me. To say: ‘I'm excited’, Italians generally use ‘sono entusiasta’ or ‘non vedo l'ora di’, but she pointed out to me that some dictionaries include ‘eccitato’ in their translations of ‘excited’.
I'm not sure if this is the result of the influence of the English language on the Italian language, but my eyes popped out when somebody told me 'Sono eccitato di vedere mia madre’. It took my brain a second to figure out that they meant ‘Non vedo l'ora di vedere mia madre’.
A quick search on the Accademia della Crusca’s dictionary shows some literary examples of the word ‘eccitato’ with the meaning of ‘excited’, but nothing from everyday language, so I decided to stick to my position and suggest you translate ‘excited’ with ‘non vedo l'ora di/sono entusiasta’.
Come ti senti? Sono entusiasta!
How do you feel? I am excited!
Non vedo l’ora di andare in Egitto!
I'm excited to go to Egypt!
EVENTUALMENTE vs EVENTUALLY
Eventualmente = if need be, if necessary, possibly
Eventually = alla fine
Eventualmente, potete farvi aiutare dall’addetto alla ricezione.
If need be, you can ask the receptionist to help you.
Alla fine, ha deciso di trasferirsi in Italia.
Eventually, he/she decided to move to Italy.
FATTORIA vs FACTORY
Fattoria = farm
Factory = fabbrica
Mio genero lavora in una fattoria.
My son-in-law works in a farm.
Mio suocero lavorava in fabbrica.
My father-in-law worked in a factory.
GROSSO vs. GROSS
Grosso = big
Gross = disgustoso, schifoso
Il pacchetto è troppo grande. Non entra nel baule.
The package is too big. It doesn’t fit in the trunk.
È disgustoso/Che schifo!
That’s gross!
LIBRERIA vs LIBRARY
Libreria = bookstore
Library = biblioteca
Ho comprato un libro in libreria.
I bought a book at the bookstore.
Ho fatto la tessera della biblioteca così posso leggere tutti i libri che voglio.
I got a library card so I can read as many books as I want.
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Thanks for reading, I'll see you all next month!
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Kyara e l'Anello degli Antenati by Saveria Parisi - ITALIAN version
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