Cognates

More love please.

Do you have students that are nervous about learning Spanish? Cognates are the best way to introduce Spanish to new Spanish speakers. So, what are cognates? Cognates are words in two languages that share a similar form and meaning, often because they come from the same root. For example, the English word family and the Spanish word familia look and sound alike, and they both mean the same thing. These similarities are very helpful for language learners because they make it easier to recognize and understand new vocabulary. By learning to spot cognates, students can quickly expand their vocabulary and build confidence in reading and speaking a new language.

Even though there are many cognates, there are also words that appear to be cognates, but are not. These are called “false cognates,” or “false friends,” which look similar in two languages but have different meanings. For instance, the English word exit and the Spanish word éxito look alike, but éxito actually means “success,” not “exit.” Understanding both true and false cognates helps students become more careful and accurate language learners. This awareness improves reading comprehension and communication while reducing misunderstandings.