False friends in Italian [with audio]

False friends (“falsi amici”) are words that look or sound similar in English and Italian but have different meanings. These words can cause confusion and lead to misunderstandings when learning Italian. In this lesson, we will explore some common false friends and their actual meanings.

Common false friends

1. Sensibile vs. Sensible

• Italian: “Sensibile” means sensitive (e.g., “Lei è molto sensibile” – She is very sensitive).
• English: “Sensible” in English means practical or reasonable (e.g., “She made a sensible decision”).
• Correct Italian for sensible: “Ragionevole” (e.g., “Ha fatto una scelta ragionevole”).

2. Attuale vs. Actual

• Italian: “Attuale” means current or present (e.g., “Il problema attuale” – The current problem).
• English: “Actual” means real or genuine (e.g., “The actual reason is unknown”).
• Correct Italian for actual: “Reale” or “vero” (e.g., “Il motivo reale” – The real reason).

3. Camera vs. Camera

• Italian: “Camera” means room (e.g., “La camera da letto” – The bedroom).
• English: “Camera” refers to a device for taking photos.
• Correct Italian for camera (photo device): “Macchina fotografica”.

4. Pretendere vs. Pretend

• Italian: “Pretendere” means to demand (e.g., “Lui pretende rispetto” – He demands respect).
• English: “Pretend” means to act as if something were true (e.g., “He pretended to be asleep”).
• Correct Italian for pretend: “Fingere” (e.g., “Lui finge di dormire” – He pretends to sleep).

5. Educato vs. Educated

• Italian: “Educato” means polite or well-mannered (e.g., “Un bambino educato” – A polite child).
• English: “Educated” means having knowledge from study or school (e.g., “She is highly educated”).
• Correct Italian for educated: “Istruito” or “colto” (e.g., “È una persona istruita” – She is an educated person).

6. Grosso vs. Gross

• Italian: “Grosso” means big or large (e.g., “Un errore grosso” – A big mistake).
• English: “Gross” means disgusting (e.g., “That food looks gross”).
• Correct Italian for gross (disgusting): “Disgustoso” or “schifoso”. (e.g., “È stato uno scherzo disgustoso”).

7. Firma vs. Firm

• Italian: “Firma” means signature (e.g., “Metti la tua firma qui” – Put your signature here).
• English: “Firm” refers to a company or something solid.
• Correct Italian for firm (company): “Azienda” or “ditta”. (e.g., “È l’azienda di famiglia”).

8. Freddo vs. Cold

• Italian: “Freddo” means cold (temperature) (e.g., “Fa molto freddo oggi” – It’s very cold today).
• English: “Cold” can also mean unfriendly or distant (e.g., “He was cold towards me”).
• Correct Italian for cold (unfriendly): “Distaccato” or “freddo” in a figurative sense (e.g., “Era molto distaccato con me” – He was very distant with me).

9. Genitori vs. Parents

• Italian: “Genitori” means parents (e.g., “I miei genitori sono gentili” – My parents are kind).
• English: “Parents” looks like “parenti” in Italian, but “parenti” means relatives.
• Correct Italian for relatives: “Parenti” (e.g., “Ho molti parenti in Italia” – I have many relatives in Italy).

10. Terrificante vs. Terrific

• Italian: “Terrificante” means terrifying (e.g., “Un film terrificante” – A terrifying movie).
• English: “Terrific” means amazing or great (e.g., “That was a terrific idea!”).
• Correct Italian for terrific (amazing): “Fantastico” or “stupendo” (e.g., “È stata un’idea fantastica!”).

Practice exercises

Exercise 1: Choose the correct translation

Translate the following sentences using the correct Italian words:

1. He made a sensible decision. (Ragionevole or Sensibile?)
2. The actual problem is different. (Reale or Attuale?)
3. Can I take a picture with your camera? (Camera or Macchina fotografica?)
4. She pretends to be happy. (Pretendere or Fingere?)
5. He is a very educated person. (Educato or Istruito?)
6. He gave me a cold look. (Freddo or Distaccato?)
7. My parents are very strict. (Genitori or Parenti?)
8. The movie was terrific! (Terrificante or Fantastico?)

Exercise 2: Spot the false friends

Identify and correct the false friends in the following sentences:

1. “Mi piace la tua camera!” (meaning “I like your camera!” but in Italian it means “I like your room!”)
2. “Quell’insetto è molto grosso, che schifo!” (meaning “That insect is very big, how disgusting!” but “grosso” means “big,” not “gross.”)
3. “Ho incontrato i miei parenti ieri” (meaning “I met my parents yesterday,” but “parenti” means “relatives” and not “parents.”)
4. “Quel film era terrificante!” (meaning “That movie was terrific!” but “terrificante” means “terrifying.”)

You can write your answers in the comments. I’ll check and correct them for you! ✅