LIBRARY AND EMBARAZADA - TWO FALSE FRIENDS

 

Library vs Librería

A classic trap: library in English is biblioteca, not librería.

• Library = a place to borrow books: I found the novel at the public library.

• Librería = a bookshop: Compré la novela en una librería.

Mix them up and you’ll confuse people: “I’m going to the library to buy a dictionary” sounds odd.

Rule of thumb:

• Library → biblioteca.

• Librería → bookshop, bookstore.

One is free (usually), the other takes your money.

---

Embarrassed vs Embarazada

Another dangerous duo: embarrassed does not mean embarazada.

• Embarrassed = ashamed, self-conscious: He felt embarrassed when he forgot her name.

• Embarazada = pregnant: Está embarazada de seis meses.

Say “I’m embarrassed” and translate it as “Estoy embarazada”—and you’ve just announced a pregnancy by mistake.

Rule of thumb:

• Embarrassed → avergonzado.

• Embarazada → pregnant.

False friends can make you blush—sometimes twice.