When learning Italian, it’s easy to stumble upon words that look or sound similar to their English counterparts. However, these so-called “false friends” can be tricky, as their meanings are often quite different. In this post, we’ll explore three common Italian words—argomento, pretendere, and conveniente—that might catch you off guard. Let’s dive into their true meanings and avoid any embarrassing mistakes!
1. Argomento – Not “Argument”
If you guessed that argomento means “argument,” you’re not entirely wrong, but it’s not quite what you think. In Italian, argomento refers to the topic or subject of a conversation, lecture, or book. It’s about the theme being discussed, not a disagreement or quarrel.
- Example: L’argomento di oggi è la cultura italiana. (Today’s topic is Italian culture.)
2. Pretendere – Not “Pretend”
While pretendere might look like the English word “pretend,” it actually means to demand or to expect something strongly. If you use it like the English “pretend,” you might cause some confusion!
- Example: Lui pretende che io finisca il lavoro subito. (He demands that I finish the work right away.)
3. Conveniente – Not “Convenient”
You might be surprised to learn that conveniente doesn’t mean “convenient” in the sense of something being easy or accessible. Instead, it means affordable or profitable. It’s used to describe something that is a good deal or makes sense financially.
- Example: Questo ristorante è molto conveniente, specialmente a pranzo. (This restaurant is very affordable, especially at lunch.)
Bonus pdf: Cognates vs False Friends
While false friends can be confusing, not all similar-sounding words in Italian and English are out to trick you! In fact, there are many cognates—words that share the same origin and meaning in both languages. To help you recognise these helpful pairs, I’ve created a free PDF with 50 useful Italian-English cognates that will help you learn faster. You can download it here and get started with words that will feel familiar, unlike the tricky false friends!
These false friends can be sneaky, but now you’re armed with the correct meanings of argomento, pretendere, and conveniente. Next time you come across them, you’ll know exactly how to use them!
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