- Balance, balanceo, balancear: Although these words can sometimes be translated as "balance," they most often refer to a swinging or oscillation. Words with meanings more closely related to the English "balance" include balanza, equilibrio, saldo, equilibrar, contrapesar, and saldar.
- Cándido: Although this word can mean "frank," it more often means "naively innocent."
- Collar: This word is used when referring to the collar a pet (such as a dog) might wear, and it also can also refer to a ringlike mechanical item known as a collar. But the collar of a shirt, jacket or similar type of apparel is a cuello (the word for "neck"). Collar can also refer to a necklace or similar item worn around the neck.
- Colegio: The Spanish word can refer to almost any school, not just ones that provides university-level classes.
- Conducir: It can mean "to conduct" or (in the reflexive form conducirse) "to conduct oneself." But it more often means "to drive" or "to transport." For that reason, a conductor on a train (or other vehicle) is the person in the driving seat, not someone who handles tickets.
- Confidencia: Its meaning is related to the English meaning of "confidence" as a secret. If you're referring to trust in someone, confianza would be more appropriate.
- Criatura: Most commonly it means "creature" or "being," including humans. But it is also commonly used to refer to babies and even to fetuses.
- Debate: This word often does refer to a debate, particularly one in a legislative body. But it also frequently refers to a discission, one that doesn't have to include opposing viewpoints.
- Defraudar: This verb doesn't have to imply wrongdoing. Although it can mean "to defraud," it more often means "to disappoint."
- Demandar: As a legal term only, demandar and the noun form, la demanda, are similar to the English "demand." But to demand something in a less formal situation, use exigir or exigencia.
- Dirección: It usually means "direction" in most of the ways it is used in English. But it is also the most common way of referring to a postal or email address.
- Etiqueta: It can refer to etiquette and the requirements of formality. However, it also frequently means "tag" or "label." The verb form, etiquetar, means "to label."
- Discusión: The Spanish word often carries the connotation that a discussion has become heated. Alternatives include conversación and debate (which doesn't have to refer to a formal debate).
- En efecto: This phrase can mean "in effect." But it also can mean "in fact," not quite the same thing.
- Estupor: In medical usage, this word refers to a stupor. But in everyday meaning it refers to a state of amazement or astonishment. Usually the context will make clear what meaning is meant.
- Excitado: This adjective can be synonymous with "excited," but a closer equivalent is "aroused" — which doesn't have to have sexual overtones but usually does. Better translations of "excited" include emocionado and agitado.
- Experimentar: This is what scientists and other people do when they're trying something out. However, the word also often means "to suffer" or "to experience."
- Familiar: In Spanish, the adjective is more closely connected with the meaning of "family" than in English. Often a better word to use for something you're familiar with is conocido ("known") or común ("common").
By Gerald Erichsen, About.com
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