In Spanish-English Households, Funny Things Happen
Embarrassed... Or Something More?
It's one of the most frequently misused false cognates in the Spanish language by English speakers, and one of the most shocking when used unintentionally —"embarazada." It means “pregnant,” but is sometimes confused with “avergonzado/a,” which means embarrassed.
"My sister once said she was 'embarazada' when she meant she was 'embarrassed'," says Ericka Sanchez.
We can only imagine what happened afterward!
Oops! Wrong Ailment!
When friends asked Dariela Cruz how she was feeling as she recovered from a cold she once responded, "I feel better now, just constipated," which caused some unexpected responses.
"My friends suggested that I drink coffee and I didn't understand why," Dariela said. She later realized she had meant to use the word "congested," not "constipated."
What's Up?
"Since I went to a British school to learn English, I was unfamiliar with the popular American phrase,'What's up?'” shares Claudia Mayorga-Del Cid. “So, when someone greeted me this way for the first time, what did I do? I looked to the clouds and humbly answered, ‘The sky, I guess!’”
Who's Linda?
"One time a guy called out to me, 'Oye linda, ¿cómo estas?'” says Cynthia Martinez. “I was confused for a second because I was thinking, 'Why does he think my name is Linda?'"
Weird Shampoo
"I sent Saul, (my now husband; then fiance) to buy tamales. Soon after he left, he called to ask if I wanted 'weird shampoo,'” shares Maricela Joshelyn. “I was obviously confused since I had sent him for tamales, not shampoo! Then he repeated, 'Do you want weird shampoo?… Champú raro?' And it hit me that he meant 'champurrado.' He seriously thought it was called 'weird shampoo' in Spanish."
Courting Confusion
"The first time I got asked 'Wanna go out with me?' I said, 'Sure! Where are we going?'" shares Judy Gaitan. “Granted, I was in the fourth grade and fresh out of ESL."
