How to identify false cognates or false friends in Portuguese? 

First of all, it is important that you consider that the linguistic and communicative context is the indicator to which you should pay the most attention. It will guide you on whether a term is actually what you are imagining or assuming based on your position as a native Spanish speaker. However, there are other aspects that can help you identify a false friend. Take a look below: 

• To identify false cognates in Portuguese, it is first important to pay attention to the subtle differences in the pronunciation and spelling of words, because sometimes even a single letter can completely change the meaning of a word. For example, the word “firma” in Spanish means the signature (signatura) of a person. However, in Portuguese “firma” refers to a company. Another very common example of cognates in Spanish and Portuguese is the word “exquisito“, which in Portuguese is not used to praise a dish of food, but rather, to designate something or situation that seems very strange. 
• Another helpful tip is to familiarize yourself with the grammar rules and sentence structures in Portuguese. By understanding how sentences are constructed in this language, you’ll be able to more easily identify when a word doesn’t have the meaning you’ve been expecting. In addition, it is always advisable to use a reliable dictionary or have a translation tool on hand to verify the meaning of unfamiliar words before using them. 

As a final recommendation, to avoid falling into the trap of false cognates in Portuguese, it is important that you pay close attention to the differences in the pronunciation and writing of words, familiarize yourself with the grammatical rules of the language and use reliable translation resources, but, mainly, you must make use of the strategy of identification by the linguistic context of whatever it is you are reading or listening to. Remember that the linguistic context is determined by various factors, such as who the speakers are, the speech situation, who the interlocutors are, the topic being discussed, among others. 

 Now, and as a plus of knowledge, we give you a small list of the many false cognates between Spanish and Portuguese. Add them to your study glossary so you don’t get fooled anymore!