Spanish Words That Sound Like English (Top 20)

Have you heard someone speak Spanish and use a word that sounds like English? These words are called Spanish cognates. Spanish cognates are words that sound the same in English and also have the same meaning and almost, if not, the same spellings. So, we listed the top 20 Spanish words that sound like English below!

Spanish Words That Sound Like English (in Alphabetical Order)

Admirable

Meaning:

  • (Adjective) Admirable is someone or something that deserves respect and recognition. In Spanish, it is pronounced as ahd-mee-rah-bleh.
  • Example: Tu personalidad es admirable. Espero que haya otras personas con tus características.
  • English: Your personality is admirable. I hope there are other people with your characteristics.

Alcohol

Meaning:

  • (Noun) Alcohol is a type of drink that is made using fermented fruits. It is a psychoactive substance and is mainly used at parties and other occasions. In Spanish, it is pronounced as ahl-kohl.
  • Example: ¿Tenemos alcohol para la fiesta de esta noche?
  • English: Do we have alcohol for the party tonight?

Balance

Meaning:

  • (Verb) To balance is to steady someone or something and keep them from falling. The Spanish and English pronunciation of balance is the same.
  • Example: Necesitas mantener el balance para aprender a andar en bicicleta.
  • English: You need to balance yourself to learn how to ride a bike.

Cable

Meaning:

  • (Noun) A cable is a thick wire used to connect electricity from the main source to other parts of the house. In Spanish, it is pronounced as kah-bleh.
  • Example: Necesitamos al menos diez pies de cable para conectar con éxito su electricidad.
  • English: We need at least ten feet of cable to successfully connect your electricity.

Cáncer

Meaning:

  • (Noun) Cancer is a type of disease due to abnormalities in a person’s body. In Spanish, it is spelled as “cáncer” and pronounced as khan-ser.
  • Example: ¡No puedo creer que tu abuela tenga cáncer! Estaba sana como un caballo la última vez que la vi.
  • English: I can’t believe your grandma has cancer! She was healthy as a horse the last time I saw her.

Confusión

Meaning:

  • (Verb) Confusion is an English and Spanish word for when a person has trouble understanding or is uncertain of something. In Spanish, it is spelled as confusión and pronounced as kohm-foo-syohn.
  • Example: Hubo una confusión hace un tiempo, pero ya está todo arreglado.
  • English: There was a confusion a while ago but everything is already taken care of now.

Dimensión

Meaning:

  • (Noun) Dimension is the word for the size or scale of an object. In Spanish, it is spelled as “dimensión” and pronounced as dee-mehn-syohn.
  • Example: Necesito la dimensión de la obra de arte para saber si cabe en el espacio que tengo.
  • English: I need the dimension of the artwork to know if it will fit in the space I have.

Drama

Meaning:

  • (Noun) A drama can be a film series that revolves around love and heartbreak. It can also be a person experiencing a whirlwind of emotions because of unexpected events. In Spanish, it is pronounced as drah-mah.
  • Example:¡Vi el drama que me recomendaste el otro día y estoy enganchado!
  • English: I watched the drama you recommended the other day and I’m hooked!

Electoral

Meaning:

  • (Noun) An electoral is a system that supports democracy and advocates for a democratic government through voting. In Spanish, it is pronounced as eh-lehk-toh-rahl.
  • Example: Tendremos electoral el próximo año. ¿Por quién votarás?
  • English: We’ll have an electoral next year. Who will you vote for?

Exterior

Meaning:

  • (Noun) Exterior pertains to a facade or surface that is outside. In Spanish, it is pronounced as ehks-teh-ryohr.
  • Example: ¡El exterior de esta casa es increíble!
  • English: The exterior finish of this house is incredible!

Formal

Meaning:

  • (Adjective) Formal is something done with regards to a set of rules that are set. It is mainly used in serious meetings and gatherings. In Spanish, it is pronounced as fohr-mahl.
  • Example: Esta es una ocasión formal, así que compórtate en consecuencia.
  • English: This is a formal occasion, so behave accordingly.

Global

Meaning:

  • (Noun) Global is relating to the whole world. In Spanish, it is pronounced gloh-bahl.
  • Example: El aumento repentino de la temperatura de la Tierra es un problema global.
  • English: The sudden rise of Earth’s temperature is a global problem.

Habitual

Meaning:

  • (Adjective) Habitual is something done continuously. In Spanish, it is pronounced as ah-bee-twahl.
  • Example: Este comportamiento negativo puede volverse habitual, así que te animo a que pares ahora.
  • English: This negative behavior can become habitual, so I encourage you to stop now.

Hospital

Meaning:

  • (Noun) A hospital is where sick and injured people go to get the proper treatment from experienced professionals. In Spanish, it is pronounced as ohs-pee-tahl.
  • Example: Tenemos que llevarlo a un hospital o no se recuperará de su caída.
  • English: We need to bring him to a hospital or he won’t recover from his fall.

Informal

Meaning:

  • (Adjective) Informal is having a relaxed setting; nothing too serious. In Spanish, it is pronounced as eem-fohr-mahl.
  • Example: No te preocupes; la fiesta es solo informal. Puedes usar lo que quieras.
  • English: Don’t worry; the party is only informal. You can wear anything you like.

Invisible

Meaning:

  • (Adjective) Invisible is something that cannot be seen by the naked eye. In Spanish, it is pronounced as eem-bee-see-bleh.
  • Example: ¿Soy invisible? Llevo aquí treinta minutos y aún no me has reconocido.
  • English: Am I invisible? I’ve been here for thirty minutes yet you haven’t acknowledged me.

Kilo

Meaning:

  • (Noun) Kilo is a unit of mass that equals to 1,000 grams. In Spanish, it is pronounced as kee-loh.
  • Example: Compremos un kilo de camarones y otro kilo de cangrejos para cenar esta noche.
  • English: Let’s buy a kilo of shrimps and another kilo of crabs for dinner tonight.

Mental

Meaning:

  • (Adjective) Mental is relating to the intellectual capacity of a person. In Spanish it is pronounced as mehn-tahl.
  • Example: Siempre asegúrese de que su salud mental sea una prioridad.
  • English: Always make sure that your mental health is a priority.

Ópera

Meaning:

  • (Adjective) An Ópera is an art expressed on stage and with songs. Although only a few go on stage, hundreds of professionals work backstage. In Spanish, it is pronounced as oh-peh-rah.
  • Example: Es la primera vez que veo una ópera. ¡Me divertí!
  • English: It’s my first time watching an opera. I had fun!

Peculiar

Meaning:

  • (Adjective) Peculiar is someone of something out of the ordinary and weird in some way. In Spanish, it is pronounced as pih-kyu-lyuhr.
  • Example: ¿Saboreaste algo peculiar en tu bebida? Creo que pruebo algo en la mía.
  • English: Did you taste something peculiar in your drink? I think I taste something in mine.

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Written by Gabriel Cruz - Foodie, Animal Lover, Slang & Language Enthusiast

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