Episode Overview

Podcast: Speaking Brazilian Podcast
Host: Virginia Langhammer
Episode Title: False Friends – Portuguese/English (June 1, 2022)

This episode explores the linguistic phenomenon of "false friends"—words in Portuguese and English that look similar but have significantly different meanings. Virginia walks listeners through common false friends, providing examples and context to help learners avoid misunderstandings as they build their Brazilian Portuguese vocabulary.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Introduction to False Friends

Timestamp: 00:57

• Virginia begins by highlighting the confusion false friends can cause:
  • "False friends are words that look or sound similar in both languages but have different meanings."
• She announces free resources on the Speaking Brazilian website.

2. Common False Friends Reviewed

Ato (Portuguese) vs. Act (English)

• No direct detailed example or discussion—it’s listed for context.

Atender (Portuguese) vs. Attend (English)

• Portuguese: Atender means "to answer (a phone)" or "to attend to someone (help or respond)."
• English: Attend means "to be present at, to participate in."
• Example:
  • “Atender em português significa responder a uma ligação telefônica ou abrir a porta para alguém, to accompany, for example.”
  • “[But] attend in English is to participate in an event.”

Assumir (Portuguese) vs. Assume (English)

• Portuguese: Assumir means "to take on (a responsibility or position), to admit something publicly."
• English: Assume means "to suppose, to presume."
• Notable Quote:
  • Virginia clarifies nuanced meanings:

    “Assumir significa reconhecer algo publicamente, ou assumir responsabilidade por algo, ou passar a ocupar um novo cargo...” (02:00)

    • Translation: “Assumir means to publicly acknowledge something, or to take on responsibility for something, or to take up a new position.”
• Example phrases:
  • “Maria assumiu o cargo de gerente da empresa.” (“Maria took on the manager position at the company.”)
  • “Pedro assumiu responsabilidade pelo projeto.” (“Pedro took responsibility for the project.”)

Suportar (Portuguese) vs. Support (English)

• Portuguese: Suportar means "to endure, withstand, tolerate."
• English: Support means "to help or give assistance to."
• Notable Moment:
  • Virginia explains the common misinterpretation between the two.

Colégio (Portuguese) vs. College (English)

• Portuguese: Colégio refers to a primary or secondary school; a synonym for “school.”
• English: College refers to a higher education institution.
• Example:
  • “Pedrinho está no colégio.” (“Pedrinho is in school.”)
  • “College, em português, seria faculdade.”
• Notable Quote:

  “Colégio é sinônimo de escola, uma instituição fundamental ou médio.” (04:00)

  • Translation: “Colégio is a synonym for school, a primary or secondary institution.”

Educado (Portuguese) vs. Educated (English)

• Portuguese: Educado means "well-mannered, polite."
• English: Educated means "has formal education."
• Example:
  • “Os filhos de Paulo são muito educados.” (“Paulo’s children are very polite.”)
  • “Educated, em português, seria uma pessoa instruída, culta, ou com alto nível de escolaridade.”
  • “Todas as professoras do meu colégio têm alto nível de escolaridade.” (“All of the teachers at my school have a high level of education.”)

Eventualmente (Portuguese) vs. Eventually (English)

• Portuguese: Eventualmente means “occasionally” or “by chance.”
• English: Eventually means “in the end, after some time.”
• Example:
  • “Evento, em mente, significa de modo eventual ou ocasional.” (“Eventualmente means occasionally or by chance.”)
  • Confusion between the words: “Eventually, poderies...” is a mistake; should be “eventualmente.”

Excitado (Portuguese) vs. Excited (English)

• Portuguese: Excitado usually means “sexually aroused.” For "excited" about something, use “animado.”
• Notable Quote:

  “Excitado, cuidado com o uso!” (06:00)

  • Translation: “Excitado—be careful using this word!”

Realizar (Portuguese) vs. Realize (English)

• Portuguese: Realizar means “to carry out, to accomplish.”
• English: Realize means “to become aware of.”
• Example:
  • “Realizar um sonho.” (“To accomplish a dream.”)
  • “Realize, em inglês, significa perceber algo, tomar consciência.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On "assumir":

  “Assumir significa reconhecer algo publicamente, ou assumir responsabilidade por algo.” (02:00)

• On "colégio":

  “Colégio é sinônimo de escola, uma instituição fundamental ou médio.” (04:00)

• On being careful with "excitado":

  “Excitado, cuidado com o uso!” (06:00)

Timestamps for Major Segments

• 00:57 – 02:00: Introduction to false friends & mentioning free resources
• 02:00 – 03:00: "Atender" and "assumir" false friends explained
• 03:00 – 04:00: Differences between "suportar," "colégio," and corresponding English terms
• 04:00 – 05:00: "Educado" vs. "educated," and usage examples
• 05:00 – 06:00: Common mix ups: "eventualmente," "excitado," "realizar"
• 06:00 – End: Examples, closing tip, invitation to further resources

Conclusion

This episode is a concise and practical guide to some of the most confusing Portuguese-English false friends. Virginia gives definitions, usage tips, and example sentences to help learners avoid embarrassing or misunderstood translations. The friendly tone and real-world examples make this episode ideal for beginners and intermediate learners alike, giving actionable vocabulary tips in just a few minutes.