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Writer's pictureFederica Lupis

Italian False Friends

Updated: Jul 29, 2023


Mystery

Part Two

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!


MAGAZZINO vs MAGAZINE

Magazzino = warehouse

Magazine = rivista

Amazon ha magazzini dappertutto.

Amazon has warehouses everywhere.

Mi sono abbonata alla rivista Focus perché pubblica sempre articoli interessanti.

I subscribed to Focus magazine because it always publishes interesting articles.


MORBIDO vs MORBID

Morbido = soft

Morbid = morboso

Questo cuscino è durissimo. Avete un cuscino più morbido?

This pillow is very hard. Do you have a softer pillow?

La gelosia è inutile e se diventa morbosa è pericolosa.

Jealousy is useless and if it becomes morbid it is dangerous.


NOIOSO vs NOISY

Noioso = boring

Noisy = rumoroso

Noise = rumore

A molte persone piacciono i libri di Emily Bronte, Charlotte Bronte e Jane Austen. Io li trovo noiosi.

Many people like books by Emily Bronte, Charlotte Bronte and Jane Austen. I find them boring.

Non riesco a dormire perché i ragazzi nella stanza accanto alla mia sono molto rumorosi. Avete una stanza più tranquilla?

I can't sleep because the guys next door are very noisy. Do you have a quieter room?

Sono andata da Harvey Norman e ho chiesto al commesso se il frigorifero che volevo comprare faceva rumore. La risposta del commesso è stata impagabile: “Tutti i frigoriferi fanno rumore”.

I went to Harvey Norman and asked the shop assistant if the fridge I wanted to buy was noisy. The salesman's answer was priceless: ‘All fridges make noise’.


PARENTI vs PARENTS

Parenti = relatives

Parents = genitori

Ho molti parenti che vivono nel nord e nel sud d’Italia.

I have many relatives who live in northern and southern Italy.

I miei genitori sono in Italia, ma li sento tutti i giorni su WhatsApp.

My parents are in Italy, but I talk to them on WhatsApp every day.


PRESERVATIVO vs PRESERVATIVE

Preservativo = contraceptive, condom

Preservative = conservante

Il primo preservativo è stato inventato nel 1855.

The first condom was invented in 1855.

Cerco di evitare i cibi ricchi di conservanti.

I try to avoid foods rich in preservatives.


PRETENDERE vs TO PRETEND

Pretendere = to expect

To pretend = fare finta, fingere

Pretendi troppo da te stesso.

You expect too much of yourself.

Facciamo finta di essere in italia. Come chiederesti indicazioni a un passante?

Let's pretend we're in Italy. How would you ask a passer-by for directions?


RUMORE vs RUMOUR

Rumore = noise, sound

Rumour = pettegolezzo, diceria

C'è troppo rumore qui. Non riesco a concentrarmi.

There is too much noise in here. I cannot concentrate.

Era solo una diceria.

It was just a rumour.


STAMPA vs STAMP

Stampa = press, printing, publishing

Stamp = francobollo


Perché la stampa parla sempre dei reali?

Why is the press always talking about the royals?

Vorrei cinque francobolli per favore.

I’d like five stamps, please.


TERRIFICANTE vs TERRIFIC

Terrificante = terrifying

Terrific = fantastic

La previsione del continuo aumento delle temperature è terrificante.

The prediction of continued rising temperatures is terrifying.

Fantastico!

That's terrific!

You look terrific!

Stai benissimo! (Be careful not to say: ‘Sei terrificante’!)


~ ~ ~

BONUS

The following words are not false friends, but as I was writing this article, they kept popping into my mind, so I decided to include them.


RIDICOLOUS = RIDICOLO

I ragazzi australiani indossano spesso magliette ridicole alle cene di Natale.

Australian guys often wear ridiculous shirts to Christmas dinners.


SERIOUS = SERIO

Che faccia seria! È successo qualcosa?

What a serious expression! Did something happen?

Thanks for reading, I'll see you all next month!


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