Learning Portuguese as an English speaker (or the other way around) can be both fascinating and occasionally… confusing. The two languages share a fair number of Latin roots, which makes many words look deceptively similar. But here’s the catch: some of these lookalikes, called false friends, don’t mean what you think they do.

You might think you’re making perfect sense, when in fact you’ve just said something completely different, or even slightly embarrassing. Anyone who’s ever sat at a table in Lisbon and confidently tried to “help” the waiter with Portuguese knows that feeling. Whether you’re moving to Portugal, chatting with locals, or working with Lusophone colleagues, knowing these Portuguese–English false friends can save you from some funny (or awkward) misunderstandings.

Let’s look at the most common ones, with real examples and explanations that’ll help you sound more natural and confident in both languages.

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“Actually” vs. “Atualmente” This is one of the most classic examples.

In English, “actually” means “in fact” or “really.” In Portuguese, “atualmente” means “currently” or “nowadays.” So if you say “Atualmente, I’m tired,” a Portuguese speaker will think you mean “Nowadays, I’m tired,” not “Actually, I’m tired.”

Correct translation :

“Actually” = “Na verdade” / “De facto”

“Atualmente” = “Currently” / “Nowadays”

Example :

Wrong : “atualmente, I live in London.”

Correct : “currently, I live in London.”

It sounds like a tiny detail, but it can make you sound like you’re giving a TED Talk about your lifestyle instead of just answering a polite question.

“Pretend” vs. “Pretender”

In English, “pretend” means to act as if something is true when it’s not.

In Portuguese, “pretender” means to intend or plan to do something.

Example :

Wrong : “He pretends to go to the gym every day.” (That sounds like he’s faking it.)

Correct in Portuguese : “Ele pretende ir ao ginásio todos os dias.” (“He intends to go to the gym every day,” which is already ambitious enough.)

So, if a Portuguese person says “I pretend to travel next year,” they actually mean “I intend to travel next year.” They’re not telling you about a fantasy life; they’re telling you their plan.

“Push” vs. “Puxar”

This one is a favourite for newcomers to Portugal who struggle with doors.
In English, “push” means move something away from you.

In Portuguese, “puxar” means “to pull.”

So when you see a door marked “Puxe,” don’t push it, pull it. And “Empurre” means “Push.”

Quick reminder, and you’ll thank yourself later :
Puxe = Pull
Empurre = Push

If you’ve ever body-slammed a café door in Lisbon at 8:30 in the morning with everyone watching, welcome to the club.

“Parent” vs. “Parente”

In English, “parent” means your mother or father.

In Portuguese, “parente” means a relative, not necessarily your mum or dad.

So if you say “My parentes are coming,” you’re actually saying “My relatives are coming.” If you want to say your parents, use “pais.”

Example :

“My parents” = “Os meus pais.”

“My relatives” = “Os meus parentes.”

Small difference, big family reunion.

“College” vs. “Colégio”

This one often confuses students and expats.

In English, “college” usually means higher education, like university.

In Portuguese, “colégio” means a private school, often for children or teenagers.

Example :

“My son goes to a colégio in Lisbon” means he’s in school, not that he’s doing a degree at age 11.

“I went to college in Manchester” would be “Fui para a universidade em Manchester.”

So no, your eight-year-old nephew in Cascais is not “in college.”

“Library” vs. “Livraria” Book lovers, beware.

In English, “library” is where you borrow books.

In Portuguese, “livraria” is where you buy books.

The word for “library” in Portuguese is “biblioteca.”

If you mix them up, people will think you’re either shoplifting or incredibly dedicated to public libraries.

“Assist” vs. “Assistir”

They look similar, but they don’t always line up.

In English, “assist” means “to help.”

In Portuguese, “assistir” usually means “to watch” (a film, a show, a class), although in formal/legal/medical contexts it can also mean “to assist.”

Example :

“Assisti a um filme.” → “I watched a film.”
“I assisted the doctor.” → “Ajudei o médico.”

So if you say “I assisted a concert,” it sounds like you helped organise it, not that you went to see it. Unless you’re on tour with the band, that’s not what you meant.

“Sensible” vs. “Sensível”

In English, “sensible” means rational, reasonable.

In Portuguese, “sensível” means sensitive (emotionally or physically).

A tiny slip here and you go from praising someone’s maturity to describing how easily they cry at adverts.

Example :

“She’s very sensible.” => “Ela é muito sensata.”
“He’s very sensitive.” => “Ele é muito sensível.”

“Fabric” vs. “Fábrica”

In English, “fabric” means cloth or material.

In Portuguese, “fábrica” means “factory.”

Example :
“This factory makes fabric.” => “Esta fábrica faz tecido.”

Designers, fashion buyers and business travellers get this wrong all the time. You can almost see the negotiations falling apart in real time.

“Exquisite” vs. “Esquisito”

This one has ruined dinners.

In English, “exquisite” means beautiful, refined, elegant.

In Portuguese, “esquisito” means strange, weird, suspicious.

So don’t tell someone their dinner was “esquisito” unless you didn’t like it and you’re prepared to sleep on the sofa. If you mean “exquisite,” say “delicioso,” “maravilhoso,” or “saboroso.”

“Pushy” vs. “Puxa”

This one’s more about sound than spelling, but it’s worth knowing.

In English, “pushy” describes someone who’s overly assertive or aggressive.

In Portuguese, “puxa !” is an expression of surprise, like “wow,” “oh no,” “good grief,” depending on the tone.

So if you hear someone in Portugal say “Puxa…,” they’re reacting, not judging your personality.

It’s not really a direct false friend, but it’s close enough in sound to cause a double-take the first time you hear it.

“Lecture” vs. “Leitura”

In English, “lecture” is a university talk or class.

In Portuguese, “leitura” means “reading.”

So “I attended a leitura” doesn’t make sense. You’d say “palestra” or “aula” in Portuguese.

Example :

“I gave a lecture at the university.” => “Dei uma palestra na universidade.”

On the other hand, “I did some leitura at the library” just means you were reading quietly, not giving a speech to confused strangers.

“Pushy” vs. “Puxa” (extra pronunciation trap)

Similar sounds, different worlds. “Puxa !” is a mild exclamation in Portuguese, while “pushy” in English is a personality trait. Be mindful of tone ; and accent. If someone looks shocked after you say “She’s a bit pushy,” it might just be that they heard “puxa” and they think you’re reacting to drama, not describing their colleague from marketing.

“Sympathy” vs. “Simpatia”

In English, “sympathy” means compassion or pity.

In Portuguese, “simpatia” means friendliness or charm ; that warm, approachable energy people have.

Example :

“She’s full of simpatia.” => “She’s very kind and pleasant.”

“I have sympathy for you.” => “Sinto compaixão por ti.”

So if someone says “Ela tem muita simpatia,” it’s a compliment. Nobody’s feeling sorry for anyone.

“Rope” vs. “Roupa”

They look similar, but they’re not even in the same cupboard.

In English, “rope” = cord.

In Portuguese, “roupa” = clothes.

Example :

“I’m washing the roupa.” => “I’m doing the laundry,” not “I’m washing the rope.”

It sounds obvious now, but wait until you say it out loud in front of your in-laws.

“Agenda” vs. “Agendar”

They’re related, but not quite the same thing.

In Portuguese, “agenda” is a diary or planner, the book (or app) where you write down your meetings.

“Agendar” means “to schedule.”

Example :

“I wrote it in my agenda.” => “Escrevi na minha agenda.”

“I’ve scheduled a meeting for tomorrow.” => “Agendei uma reunião para amanhã.”

So yes, your “agenda” can help you “agendar.” Neat, for once.

Why these false friends exist ?

Most false friends between English and Portuguese come from shared Latin roots, often via French or Spanish. Over the centuries the meanings drifted. Portuguese stayed closer to its Romance family in many cases, while English, even with its huge French influence, wandered off on its own path.

That’s why “pretender” kept its older Latin sense of “to intend,” while English “pretend” moved into “to fake.” The words still look related, but they’ve grown up and got different jobs.

It’s a little like two cousins who started in the same town and ended up with completely different lives.

How to master false friends ?

Learn them in context. Don’t just memorise a word, memorise a full sentence you could actually use.
Use language apps carefully. Automatic translation is great for menus, less great for nuance.
Ask native speakers. Most people are happy to explain, and usually they’ll do it with stories.
Read local media. Portuguese subtitles, Brazilian interviews, Portuguese newspapers, all of that shows you what people really say.
Keep a short list. A tiny note on your phone with your “danger words” helps more than you think.
The more you hear these words in real conversation, the more you’ll feel when something sounds off. After a while, you don’t even translate, you just… know.

False friends are part of every bilingual journey. They’re what make learning a language not just a process, but an adventure full of humour and discovery.

Whether you’re studying Portuguese in Lisbon or chatting in English with expats in Porto, don’t be afraid to make mistakes. They often make the best stories later on, “Remember when I told your grandmother her cooking was weird ?” is, in fact, a memory.

The more you get familiar with these little traps, the closer you get to understanding not just the words, but the culture behind them. And that’s really the point.