Quick reminders from Wikivoyage phrasebooks.
False Friends
I have put the Spanish first and underlined, and added my memory aids.
Beware of false friends if you speak or learned Portuguese or Italian. Examples include
Spanish embarazada (pregnant),
but Portuguese embaraçada (embarrassed) like the English
Spanish oficina (office), like the English
but Portuguese oficina (workshop) \
(The Italian for office is ufficio.)
Spanish burro (donkey) I remember a beast of burden for donkey rides
Italian burro (butter) like the French buerre.
Spanish carta (letter).' like the English postcard
Italian carta (paper) like a thin piece of card
On the other hand, on the plus side, if you are English when you learn Spanish, afterwards you already know the look of the Spanish word, you just need to change a couple of letters and you have an easy to remember different word in Portuguese or Italian.
So, now we know four words of Spanish, two of Portuguese, and two of Italian. Eight foreign words. And an amusing conversation starter with anybody speaking or learning Spanish, Portuguese, or Italian.
What is the Spanish for embarrassed? avergonzado
What is the Spanish for workshop? taller
what is the Spanish for butter? mantequilla
If you are looking at the buffet in a hotel, the Spanish word for margarine is margarina. Easy to recognize.
The Portuguese for butter is manteiga. The word for margarine in Portuguese is margarina. The first two letters are the same as English, and Spanish.
What is the Spanish for paper? papel
For learners, like me, that is eight new words of Spanish.
Useful Language Websites
translate google
Wikivoyage phasebook Spanish
Wikivoyage phrasebook Italian
Wikivoyage phrasebook Portuguese
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Book To Buy, Borrow, Lend
Embarrassing Moments by Angela Lansbury
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