False Friends — Verbs

The -ic- root can trick learners into thinking of 'diminish'. 'Dimenticare' comes from Latin 'dementare' (to lose one's mind). To diminish use 'diminuire' or 'ridurre'.

The 'cord' root (Latin cor = heart) gives 'ricordare' = to bring back to heart = to remember. To record a video say 'registrare un video'. Completely different words.

'Tornare' = to return, not to turn. To turn a corner say 'girare' or 'svoltare'. 'Torna!' = 'Come back!' To turn around = 'girarsi'. Completely different from English 'turn'.

'Sentire' does everything the English senses do except sight. 'Sento un rumore' = 'I hear a noise'. 'Sento freddo' = 'I feel cold'. 'Sento un buon profumo' = 'I smell a nice scent'. 'Ci sentiamo!' = 'We'll talk!' (phone/text).

Visual confusion: 'correre' looks like 'to correct' but means to run. The idiom 'corre voce' = 'there's a rumour' (literally 'a voice runs'). 'Corre un rischio' = 'he's running a risk'. Also 'cosa corre tra di voi?' = 'what's going on between you?'

Correct for price, but Italian 'costare' extends to emotional/effort cost more freely: 'mi costa dirtelo' = 'it's hard for me to tell you', 'mi è costato caro' = 'it cost me dearly (in any sense)'. Figurative use is common.

'Prendere' is one of the most used Italian verbs. 'Prendi il treno' = take the train. 'Ho preso un raffreddore' = I caught a cold. 'Quanto prende il medico?' = 'How much does the doctor charge?' Extremely versatile.

'Lasciare' is fundamental. 'Lascia perdere' = 'forget it / let it go'. 'Lasciami stare' = 'leave me alone'. 'Lasciare un lavoro' = to quit a job. 'Lasciarsi' = to break up (a couple). Essential verb with no single English equivalent.

'Portare' covers both bring and take depending on direction. 'Porta qui' = bring here. 'Porta là' = take there. 'Portare i vestiti/gli occhiali' = to wear clothes/glasses. 'Non lo porto' = 'I can't stand him' (colloquial).

Largely the same. Key Italian use: 'cambiare soldi' or 'cambiare valuta' = to exchange currency. 'Cambiarsi' = to change one's clothes. 'Non cambiare argomento' = 'don't change the subject'. 'Cambia!' = 'change the channel!' (TV).

Similar meaning, but 'incontrare' covers planned meetings too: 'ci incontriamo alle tre' = 'we're meeting at three'. In English 'encounter' implies surprise/difficulty. Italian 'incontrare' is neutral — planned or unplanned.

'Uscire con qualcuno' = to go on a date / to be dating someone. 'Il libro uscirà in primavera' = 'the book will come out in spring'. 'Uscire dai binari' = 'to go off the rails'. Very common in social contexts: 'usciamo?' = 'shall we go out?'

The enter meaning is the same. Key Italian expression: 'cosa c'entra?' / 'non c'entra niente' = 'what does that have to do with it?' / 'it has nothing to do with it'. Also 'non mi entra in testa' = 'I can't get it into my head / I can't understand it'.

'Alzare' = to raise or lift, not to alter/change. 'Alzarsi' = to get up (from bed or a chair). 'Alzare la voce' = to raise one's voice. 'Alzare i prezzi' = to raise prices. Nothing to do with altering/modifying.

The '-sembr-' root resembles 'resemble' and 'remember' but 'sembrare' = to seem/appear. 'Mi sembra una buona idea' = 'It seems like a good idea to me'. 'Ti sembra giusto?' = 'Does that seem right to you?' One of the most common Italian verbs.

Some learners confuse 'diventare' with 'divant-' or 'devant' (French: in front). Completely unrelated. 'Diventare' = to become. 'Stai diventando bravissimo!' = 'You are becoming very good!' Essential everyday verb.

Mostly the same. Key distinction: 'scusarsi' (reflexive) = to apologise. 'Mi scusi' = excuse me (polite). Important nuance: 'scusa' = excuse me / sorry (informal), 'mi scusi' = excuse me (formal). Not used for serious offences — for those use 'chiedere perdono'.

Not a strong visual false friend, but learners sometimes confuse 'ringraziare' with words like 'recognise' or 'acknowledge'. 'Ringraziare' comes from 'grazia' (grace/thanks). 'Ti ringrazio' = 'Thank you'. 'Lettera di ringraziamento' = thank-you letter.

'Annoiare' primarily means to bore, not to annoy. If someone is annoying you (making you angry), say 'mi infastidisce' or 'mi dà fastidio'. 'Sono annoiato' = 'I am bored', not 'I am annoyed'.

'Attendere' means to wait, not to attend. 'Attendo il treno' = 'I am waiting for the train'. To attend a meeting say 'partecipare alla riunione' or 'presenziare alla riunione'.

'Stampare' = to print (a printer). To stamp a passport or ticket use 'timbrare'. A rubber stamp = 'timbro'. Don't say 'stampare il passaporto' — say 'timbrare il passaporto'.

The '-trarre' ending looks like 'distress' to some learners, but 'distrarre' = to distract. To distress someone say 'angosciare' or 'turbare'. 'Sono distratto' = 'I am distracted', not 'I am distressed'.

To sign a document say 'firmare', not 'segnare'. 'Segnare' means to mark or to score in sport. 'Segna il tuo nome' = 'Write/mark your name' (informal note-taking), not a signature.

'Passare le vacanze' = to spend one's holidays (not 'to pass holidays'). 'Passo da te stasera' = 'I'll stop by your place tonight'. Also 'passare il brodo' = to strain broth. Much broader than English 'pass'.

The 'rest-' root in Italian points to 'remaining', not 'restoring'. 'Restare' = to stay/remain. To restore something say 'restaurare' (art/buildings) or 'ripristinare' (systems). 'Restate!' = 'Stay!' (plural command).

The 'ferm-' root (from Latin firmare = to make firm/stop) can look like English 'firm'. But 'fermare' = to stop completely. 'Fermati!' = 'Stop!' (very common). Also 'fermare qualcuno' = to detain someone (police context).

'Frequentare una scuola' = to attend a school (regularly enrolled, not just visiting). 'Frequentare qualcuno' = to spend time with someone regularly, sometimes as a couple. 'Si frequentano' = 'They are seeing each other (dating)'.

The 'lose' meaning is correct, but learners miss: 'perdere il treno' = to miss the train, 'perdere tempo' = to waste time, and 'perdere' used for leaking ('il rubinetto perde'). Very common multi-purpose verb.

In Italian 'spendere' ONLY applies to money. To spend time say 'passare il tempo', NOT 'spendere tempo'. This is a classic mistake: 'Ho speso tre ore lì' is wrong — say 'Ho passato tre ore lì'.

Not a major false friend but worth noting: 'salvare' covers both to save a life AND to save a computer file (modern usage). Also 'salvarsi' = to save oneself, to escape danger. Nothing to do with salve (ointment).

The rotation meaning is similar. But 'girare un film' = to shoot/film a movie. 'Girare il mondo' = to travel the world. 'Gira a sinistra' = 'turn left'. Very versatile — much more than just rotating.

The meaning is similar, but Italian uses 'interessare' impersonally: 'non mi interessa' = 'it doesn't interest me / I don't care'. Also 'interessare qualcuno a qualcosa' = to get someone interested in something. 'Interessato' can mean self-interested (motivated by personal gain).

The counting meaning is shared. But 'contare' also means to matter ('quello che conta è la salute' = 'what matters is health') and to rely on ('contare su qualcuno'). Richer than just counting numbers.

'Riuscire a fare qualcosa' = to manage/succeed in doing something. 'Ce la faccio' = 'I can manage'. Nothing to do with rushing. 'Come è riuscito il piatto?' = 'How did the dish turn out?' (result-focused verb).

'Mandare' = to send. 'Mandare via' = to send away, to dismiss, to fire (informal). 'Mandare a chiamare' = to send for someone. 'Mandare avanti' = to run/manage (a business). Much richer than its look-alike 'mandate'.

'Tirare' = to pull (not to tear). 'Tira dritto' = 'keep going straight'. 'Tirare calci' = to kick. 'Tira vento' = the wind blows. 'Tirare fuori' = to bring out/produce. To tear use 'strappare'. Very common, multi-use verb.

Growth meaning is shared. But 'crescere un figlio' = to raise a child (though 'crescere' here can be intransitive: 'mio figlio cresce' = 'my son is growing'). Also 'far crescere' = to make grow. Note: 'crescere' can be transitive (to raise) in Italian, unlike the intransitive English.

The follow meaning is clear. But 'seguire un corso' = to attend/take a course (different from 'frequentare' which implies regular enrollment). 'Stai seguendo?' = 'Are you following? / Are you keeping up?' Used in teaching. 'A seguire' = 'next/following' (TV/schedules).

'Abbassare' is purely physical/literal: lower the blinds, turn down the volume, reduce a price. Not about shame or dignity. 'Abbassarsi' = to stoop/bend down. 'Abbassare i prezzi' = to lower prices. Very practical verb.

Complete false friend. 'Sparire' = to vanish/disappear, nothing to do with sparing. 'Sparisci!' = 'Get lost! / Disappear!' (very rude colloquial). 'È sparito nel nulla' = 'He vanished into thin air'. To spare use 'risparmiare'.

Not a visual false friend but learners confuse it. 'Sbagliare' = to be wrong or to make a mistake. 'Ho sbagliato numero' = 'I dialled the wrong number'. 'Sbagliato!' = 'Wrong!'. 'Sbagliare strada' = to take the wrong road.

Not a false friend per se, but learners who know the English 'enamour' use it incorrectly. 'Innamorarsi' is everyday; 'essere innamorato' = to be in love. 'Il mio innamorato / la mia innamorata' = my sweetheart/beloved. Very common.

VERY COMMON MISTAKE. 'Pretendere' means to demand or expect something as your right. To pretend (fake) use 'fingere' or 'fare finta'. 'Stai fingendo?' = 'Are you pretending?'

'Assistere' most often means to attend or witness an event. 'Assistere un paziente' can mean to care for a patient, but to simply help someone use 'aiutare'. 'Ho assistito alla partita' = 'I watched/attended the match'.

A classic trap. 'Confrontare' means to compare, not to confront. To confront someone use 'affrontare qualcuno' or 'scontrarsi con'. 'Confrontiamo le offerte' = 'Let's compare the offers'.

VERY COMMON. 'Supportare' means to endure or tolerate, not to support/help. To support a friend say 'supporto il mio amico' is acceptable in modern Italian BUT the core meaning is tolerating. Use 'sostenere' or 'appoggiare' to be safe.

VERY COMMON. 'Realizzare' = to bring something into reality (achieve, create). To realize in the English sense (to become aware) use 'rendersi conto' or 'accorgersi'. 'Mi sono reso conto dell'errore' = 'I realized the mistake'.

'Deludere' means to disappoint, not to delude. To delude someone into false beliefs use 'illudere'. 'Mi hai deluso' = 'You disappointed me', not 'You deluded me'.

'Educare' in Italian is about upbringing and manners, not school education. 'Mal educato' = rude/ill-mannered (not poorly schooled). To educate in a school context use 'istruire' or 'formare'.

The 'advance' meaning is correct, but Italian 'avanzare' has a secondary meaning: to have something remaining or left over. 'Mi avanzano 10 euro' = 'I have 10 euros left'. This extra meaning trips up learners.

The financial meaning is the same, but the shocking extra meaning: 'investire qualcuno' = to run someone over with a vehicle. Context is everything. 'È stato investito da un camion' = 'He was hit by a truck'.

'Applicare' works for applying a substance or rule, but NOT for job applications. To apply for a job say 'fare domanda per un lavoro' or 'candidarsi'. Never 'applicare per un lavoro'.

The personal provocation meaning exists in Italian too, but the far more common use is to cause or bring about something. 'Provocare un incidente' = to cause an accident. Broader than the English 'provoke'.

'Fissare' rarely means to repair. Its main meanings are: to stare at, to book (fissare un appuntamento), to set a date, or to fasten physically. To fix/repair use 'riparare'. 'Fissa gli occhi su' = 'stares at'.

'Affrontare' is entirely positive/neutral: to face or tackle something. 'Affront' in English is always negative (an insult). To affront someone say 'offendere' or 'insultare'. Don't confuse these.

'Riassumere' = to summarise, not to resume (restart). To resume work after a break say 'riprendere il lavoro'. 'Riassumere' can also mean to re-hire someone (hire again), adding another layer of confusion.

The root '-vers-' looks English but 'versare' has meanings learners don't expect: to pour a drink, to spill something, to deposit money into a bank, or to shed tears ('versare lacrime'). Very versatile word.

Not a direct false friend but the '-gust-' root confuses learners. 'Gustare' = to savour/enjoy. 'Degustare' = to taste (wine/food formally). Nothing to do with wind gusts.

Partially a false friend. 'Tentare' = primarily to try/attempt. It can also mean to tempt ('mi tenta quella torta' = 'that cake tempts me'), but the main meaning is to attempt. Don't over-restrict it to just 'tempt'.

Largely the same, but 'ridurre qualcuno a' (to bring someone to a state) is a strong Italian usage: 'ridurlo in miseria' = to reduce him to poverty, 'ridurlo in pezzi' = to smash it to pieces. Stronger and more dramatic than English 'reduce'.

The 'form/shape' meaning is shared. Surprise Italian meanings: 'formare i dipendenti' = to train employees (corporate Italian), and 'formare un numero di telefono' = to dial a phone number (old-fashioned but still used).

'Cedere' is more everyday in Italian than formal 'cede' in English. It means to give in (cedere alle tentazioni), to collapse physically (il ponte ha ceduto), or to hand something over. Much more common and informal than English 'cede'.

Mostly not a false friend of 'convene'. The main everyday meaning of 'convenire' is 'to be worth it' or 'to be convenient'. 'Conviene farlo?' = 'Is it worth doing it?' To convene a meeting use 'convocare'.

'Trattare' has a key Italian usage: 'di cosa si tratta?' = 'what is it about?' / 'what's the matter?' Also 'trattare affari' = to do business/negotiate deals. Wider range than English 'treat'.

The respect meaning is shared, but Italian 'rispettare' has a strong compliance/adherence meaning: 'rispettare le regole' = to follow the rules, 'rispettare i tempi' = to keep to the schedule. Essential business vocabulary.

Largely the same. But 'ammesso che' + subjunctive = 'granted that / assuming that' — a very common Italian construction. Also 'essere ammesso a' = to be admitted to (school/university). Slightly wider than English.

The police/legal meaning is shared. But in Italian schools, 'essere interrogato' = to be called to the front to answer questions orally — a routine school activity. Not intimidating — just part of Italian school life.

Mostly the same, but 'operare' in Italian also means 'to act' or 'to work in a field': 'operare nel settore finanziario' = 'to work/operate in the financial sector'. Also 'operarsi' (reflexive) = to have surgery.

The risk meaning is shared. But in everyday Italian 'rischiare di + infinitive' means 'might/could/be in danger of doing': 'rischia di perdere il lavoro' = 'he might lose his job'. This colloquial use surprises learners.

Not a visual false friend but a structural one. 'Mi manchi' literally = 'you are missing to me' but means 'I miss you'. Italian inverts the structure: the subject of 'miss' becomes the object. 'Mancano tre persone' = 'Three people are absent/missing'.

The understand meaning is shared. But the include/comprise meaning is very common and important: 'comprendere' in pricing, descriptions, and legal texts always means to include. 'Tutto compreso' = 'all inclusive'.

The physical touch meaning is the same. But 'toccare a qualcuno' = to be someone's turn: 'a chi tocca?' = 'whose turn is it?' Also 'toccare un porto' = for a ship to call at a port. 'Ti tocca pagare' = 'you have to pay' (it falls to you).

Mostly the same, but 'muovere' in Italian has a strong motivational/causal sense: 'cosa ti muove?' = 'what drives you?' Also 'muoversi' = to hurry up (colloquial): 'muoviti!' = 'get moving!/hurry up!'

The occupy meaning is shared, but 'occuparsi di' = to take care of / to deal with / to be in charge of. 'Di cosa ti occupi?' = 'What do you do (for work)?' 'Occupato' = busy (not just occupied).

The liberation meaning is the same, but everyday Italian uses 'liberare' very practically: 'libera la sedia' = 'free up the chair', 'liberare un posto' = 'to make space available'. Hotel/rental context: 'liberare la camera' = to check out.

'Valere' = to be worth (intrinsic value). 'Valutare' = to value/evaluate. 'Vale la pena' = 'it's worth it' (very common). 'Non vale!' = 'That's not fair!' / 'That doesn't count!' (in games). 'Valersi di' = to make use of.

Nothing to do with capitulating. 'Capitare' = to happen by chance. 'È capitato un guaio' = 'A problem occurred'. 'Se capiti da queste parti' = 'If you happen to be in this area'. Very natural, common verb.

Combining is correct, but Italian 'combinare' has strong colloquial meanings: 'cosa combini?' = 'what are you doing/up to?' (often implying mischief). 'Ne hai combinate delle belle' = 'you've really done it now / you've been up to no good'.

'Sistemare' is very colloquial for fixing or dealing with something. 'Sistemare la stanza' = to tidy the room. 'Si è sistemato' = 'he sorted himself out / settled down'. Threatening tone: 'ti sistemo io' = 'I'll deal with you'. Very versatile.

Mostly the same, but Italian 'calmare' extends to relieving physical symptoms: 'calmare il dolore' = to relieve pain, 'calmare la tosse' = to soothe a cough. In English we wouldn't say 'calm the pain' — we say relieve. The Italian use is broader.

'Raggiungere' covers: to physically reach a place, to achieve a goal, to catch up with someone, and to join someone at a location. 'Raggiungere un accordo' = to reach an agreement. 'Raggiungeremo l'obiettivo' = 'We will achieve the goal'.

Not a visual false friend but highly irregular: scelgo, scegli, sceglie, scegliamo, scegliete, scelgono. Past participle: scelto. Learners expect a regular pattern and are caught out. 'Ho scelto male' = 'I chose badly'. 'Di nostra scelta' = 'of our choosing'.

'Pesare' = to weigh (on scales), but also figuratively to burden or press on someone. 'Mi pesa dirti questo' = 'It weighs on me to tell you this / It's hard for me to say this'. 'Pesante' = heavy (physically or figuratively).

Common false friend. 'Avvisare' = to notify or warn, not to advise. 'Ti avviso' = 'I'm warning/telling you'. To advise (give counsel) use 'consigliare': 'ti consiglio di farlo' = 'I advise you to do it'.

Duplicate included for emphasis — this is THE most common false friend mistake. 'Pretendere' NEVER means to fake or act. It means to demand as a right. Students say 'pretendo di essere felice' thinking it means 'I pretend to be happy' — it actually means 'I demand to be happy'.

The answer/reply meaning is shared. But 'rispondere di qualcosa' = to be accountable/responsible for something. 'Rispondere ai requisiti' = to meet the requirements. Legal: 'risponderà di omicidio' = 'will be charged with homicide'.

Some learners link 'ferire' to English 'fierce' or 'feral'. Unrelated. 'Ferire' = to wound/hurt. 'Ferito' = wounded/injured. 'Ferita' = a wound. Both physical ('è stato ferito in guerra') and emotional ('mi hai ferito') uses are common.

Learners think of 'trade' or 'tradition' (same Latin root) but 'tradire' = to betray. 'Tradire il partner' = to cheat on one's partner. 'Tradire la fiducia' = to betray trust. 'Il suo nervosismo lo tradisce' = 'His nervousness gives him away'. 'Traditore' = traitor.

Not a total false friend but the emphasis differs. In Italian 'preservare' = to protect/safeguard. To preserve food Italians say 'conservare'. Also 'preservativo' = condom (not preservative!).

Partially a false friend. 'Evadere dal carcere' = to escape prison (correct). But 'evadere le tasse' = to evade taxes. Surprising extra meaning: 'evadere un ordine' = to process/fulfil an order (business Italian).

Not a total false friend, but 'concepire' has a stronger 'to understand/grasp' sense in Italian. 'Non lo concepisco' = 'I can't understand/accept that'. Also note: 'concepito' = conceived (baby).

Climbing a mountain is the same. But 'scalare una somma' = to deduct an amount — not a meaning in English 'scale'. Learners are surprised when 'scalare' appears in financial/billing contexts.

Largely the same but 'distinguersi' (reflexive) = to stand out, to excel, to make a name for oneself — a meaning that surprises learners expecting only the 'tell apart' sense.

The legal 'accuse' meaning is the same. Surprise: in medical Italian 'accusare' = to show symptoms or experience pain. 'Accusa stanchezza' = 'shows signs of fatigue'. Very common in medical reports.

'Ricavare' is not 'to recover'. It means to obtain or extract something (a profit, a conclusion, material). 'Cosa ricavi da questa esperienza?' = 'What do you get out of this experience?'

The re-enter meaning exists but the primary meaning is to return (home, to work). Very importantly: 'rientrare in' = to fall within / to be part of a category. 'Non rientra nel budget' = 'it's outside the budget'.

'Figurarsi' is extremely common: 'figurati!' = 'don't mention it! / of course! / can you imagine!' (depending on context). 'Figurare bene/male' = to make a good/bad impression. 'Non figura nell'elenco' = 'it doesn't appear on the list'. Very different from 'figure out'.

Complete false friend. 'Arguire' = to deduce or infer logically. To argue (fight or debate) use 'litigare' (heated) or 'discutere' (discuss/debate). 'Hanno litigato per ore' = 'They argued for hours'.

Learners expect 'accidentare' to mean 'to accidentally do something' but it doesn't work that way. 'Accidentato' as adjective = rough/uneven. 'Fare qualcosa per sbaglio' = to accidentally do something.

Visually suggests 'lime' or 'limit' in English but 'limare' = to file (nails/metal) or to polish/refine (figuratively). 'Lima' = a file (the tool). 'Limare i dettagli' = to fine-tune the details. Common in professional/writing contexts.