# Esperanto false friends for English speakers

Source: https://esperantopedia.org/phrases/false-friends/
Language: en
Updated: 2026-10-08

> Esperanto eventuale means "possibly", not "eventually", and romano is a novel. 44 look-alike words, what they really mean and what to say instead.

**An Esperanto false friend is a word that looks like an English word but means something else.** The best-known example is ***eventuale***, which means "possibly" or "perhaps", not "eventually". The tables below list 44 such words, grouped by kind and checked against the dictionary [Reta Vortaro](https://reta-vortaro.de/) (ReVo). *Looks like* is the English word the Esperanto one brings to mind, *Actually means* is its Esperanto sense, and *Say instead* gives the Esperanto word for the English meaning.

## Adjectives and adverbs

| Esperanto | Looks like | Actually means | Say instead |
|---|---|---|---|
| *eventuale* | eventually | possibly, perhaps | *fine* "in the end", *finfine* "at last" |
| *efektiva* | effective | real, actual | *efika* "effective" |
| *ĝentila* | gentle | polite, well-mannered | *milda* "gentle" |
| *fiera* | fierce | proud | *feroca* "fierce" |
| *larĝa* | large | wide, broad | *granda* "large" |
| *vera* | very | true, real | *tre* "very" |
| *do* | do | so, therefore | *fari* "to do" |

Esperanto has no helper verb "do": a yes-or-no question starts with *ĉu*, as in *Ĉu vi ŝatas kafon?* – "Do you like coffee?"

## Nouns

| Esperanto | Looks like | Actually means | Say instead |
|---|---|---|---|
| *fabriko* | fabric | factory | *ŝtofo*, *teksaĵo* "fabric" |
| *gimnazio* | gym | secondary school | *gimnastikejo* "gym" |
| *magazeno* | magazine | warehouse, department store | *magazino*, *revuo* "magazine" |
| *romano* | Roman | novel | *roma* "Roman" (adjective) |
| *korto* | court | yard, courtyard | *tribunalo*, *kortumo* "court of law" |
| *tabulo* | table | board, plank | *tablo* "table" |
| *kampo* | camp | field | *tendaro* "camp" |
| *hazardo* | hazard | chance | *danĝero*, *risko* "hazard" |
| *infano* | infant | child | *bebo* "infant, baby" |
| *bileto* | bill | ticket | *kalkulo* "bill to pay", *fakturo* "invoice" |
| *benzino* | benzene | petrol, gasoline | *benzeno* "benzene" |
| *pasto* | pasta | dough, paste | *pastaĵo*, *nudeloj* "pasta" |
| *sorto* | sort | fate, destiny | *speco* "sort, kind" |
| *atenco* | attention | assault, attack | *atento* "attention" |
| *vesto* | vest | clothing, a garment | *veŝto* "waistcoat" |

ReVo lists a second *romano* for "inhabitant of Rome", so the adjective *roma* is the safer word for "Roman". A citizen of ancient Rome is a *romiano*. More traps with clothes are on the [clothes page](https://esperantopedia.org/phrases/clothes/).

## Verbs

| Esperanto | Looks like | Actually means | Say instead |
|---|---|---|---|
| *atendi* | attend | wait for, expect | *ĉeesti* "attend (be present at)" |
| *resti* | rest | stay, remain | *ripozi* "to rest" |
| *demandi* | demand | ask (a question) | *postuli* "demand" |
| *kontroli* | control | check, verify | *regi*, *stiri* "control" |
| *konkuri* | concur | compete | *konsenti* "concur, agree" |
| *ĉasi* | chase | hunt | *postkuri* "run after, chase" |

The noun *resto* does mean "the rest, the remainder": only the verb is a false friend. *Atendi* takes its object directly, with no word for "for": *Mi atendas la buson* – "I am waiting for the bus."

## Words that overlap only in part

These words share something with the English look-alike, but the match is partial.

| Esperanto | Looks like | Actually means | Say instead |
|---|---|---|---|
| *aktuala* | actual | topical, of current interest; "actual" only as a technical term | *reala*, *vera*, *fakta* "actual" |
| *simpatia* | sympathetic | likeable, pleasant; also warmly disposed to someone | *kompatema* "compassionate" |
| *komuna* | common | shared (*komuna amiko* "a mutual friend") | *ordinara* "common, ordinary" |
| *ofico* | office | post, duty, function | *oficejo* "office (the place)" |
| *kolegio* | college | body of colleagues; also an institute or a lesser secondary school | *altlernejo*, *universitato* "college" |
| *studento* | student | student in higher education | *lernanto* "student, pupil" |
| *glaso* | glass | drinking glass | *vitro* "glass (the material)" |
| *argumento* | argument | line of reasoning | *kverelo*, *disputo* "quarrel, dispute" |
| *frazo* | phrase | complete sentence | *vortgrupo*, *frazparto* "phrase" |
| *ĵurnalo* | journal | newspaper, news bulletin | *taglibro* "diary", *revuo* "periodical" |
| *revuo* | review | magazine or periodical on one subject | *recenzo* "review (critique)" |
| *kontesti* | contest | dispute, challenge a claim | *konkurso* "contest", *konkuri* "compete" |
| *oferi* | offer | sacrifice, give up something valuable | *oferti*, *proponi* "offer" |
| *pretendi* | pretend | claim, demand as a right | *ŝajnigi* "pretend" |
| *ekspedi* | expedite | send off, dispatch | *rapidigi* "speed up" |
| *rezigni* | resign | give up a claim, hope or right | *eksiĝi*, *demisii* "resign from a post" |

A few notes on the table:

- **Aktuala:** ReVo's fourth sense, marked as a scientific term, is "real, actual", as in *aktuala malfinio* "actual infinity" in mathematics. In everyday Esperanto *aktuala* means "topical, of current interest". ReVo advises against it in the plain sense "current, present": say *nuna* (*la nuna jaro* "the current year").
- **Frazo:** a *frazo* is a full sentence. PMEG defines it as a row of words that together express a thought. ReVo's remark says the English "noun phrase" should be *substantiva grupo*, not "substantiva frazo".
- **Oferi:** ReVo's English glosses include "offer", but a remark on one sense, close to French *offrir*, advises *oferti* or *proponi* instead.
- **Kontesti:** "contest" meaning "dispute" (contest a result) fits. "A contest" does not.
- **Studento:** for a child at school, say *lernanto*. More on [school words](https://esperantopedia.org/phrases/school-education/).

## Look-alikes that are safe

Not every look-alike is a trap. The ReVo definitions agree with English for *ekzameno* "exam", *preciza* "precise", *sensacia* "sensational", *konkurso* "competition", *prudenta* "prudent, sensible" and *tablo* "table".

## The false friends in sentences

| Esperanto | English |
|---|---|
| *Eventuale mi venos morgaŭ.* | I might come tomorrow. |
| *Ni fine trovis la domon.* | We eventually found the house. |
| *Ŝi demandis, kie estas la stacidomo.* | She asked where the station is. |
| *Li restos hejme hodiaŭ.* | He will stay at home today. |
| *Mi legis interesan romanon.* | I read an interesting novel. |
| *La fabriko produktas ŝtofon.* | The factory produces fabric. |
| *Ana kaj mi havas komunan amikon.* | Ana and I have a mutual friend. |

## Why do these false friends exist?

Esperanto took most roots from Latin and the Romance languages, with German and others, and a root usually keeps the meaning it has there. English borrowed related words from the same families long ago, and their meanings drifted. In [our analysis of word origins](https://esperantopedia.org/about/word-origins/), Latin is named as a source for 45% and French for 42% of the 843 frequent roots that have etymology data.

Wiktionary traces *demandi* to French *demander* "to ask", *larĝa* to French *large* "wide", *ĉasi* to French *chasser* "to hunt", *fiera* to French *fier* "proud" and *gimnazio* to German *Gymnasium*. ReVo translates *eventuale* as French *éventuellement* and German *eventuell*, which also mean "possibly". If you know French or German, some of these will feel less strange.

## How to avoid false friends

- Look up any word that looks English in the [dictionary](https://esperantopedia.org/dictionary/), which shows the meaning, the word structure and an example.
- Learn everyday words first with the [100 most common words](https://esperantopedia.org/learn/vocabulary/), then check each new look-alike here.
- Use suffixes to get the English meaning. *Ofico* + *-ej-* "place" gives *oficejo* "office", *pasto* + *-aĵ-* gives *pastaĵo* "pasta dish" and *tendo* "tent" + *-ar-* "group" gives *tendaro* "camp". See [suffixes](https://esperantopedia.org/grammar/suffixes/).
- Compare your own slips with the [common mistakes](https://esperantopedia.org/grammar/common-mistakes/).

## Common questions

### What is a false friend in Esperanto?

It is an Esperanto word that resembles a word in your own language but has a different meaning. For English speakers, examples include *eventuale* "possibly", *romano* "novel" and *demandi* "to ask".

### Does *eventuale* mean "eventually"?

No. ReVo translates *eventuale* as "possibly, perhaps". For "eventually" use *fine* ("in the end") or *finfine* ("at last").

### How do you say "actually" in Esperanto?

Use *fakte* "in fact, actually" or *vere* "really". Do not use *aktuala*, which means "topical".

### How can I check whether an Esperanto word means what I think?

Look it up in the dictionary before you use it, and read the definition, not only the English gloss. ReVo gives definitions in Esperanto and often adds a remark when an English speaker is likely to be misled.

## Sources

- ReVo, adjectives and adverbs: [eventuala](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/eventu.html), [efektiva](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/efekti.html), [efika](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/efik.html), [ĝentila](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/gxenti.html), [milda](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/mild.html), [fiera](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/fier.html), [feroca](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/feroc.html), [larĝa](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/largx.html), [granda](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/grand.html), [vera](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/ver.html), [tre](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/tre.html), [do](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/do.html), [fino](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/fin.html), [fakto](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/fakt.html)
- ReVo, nouns: [fabriko](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/fabrik.html), [ŝtofo](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/sxtof.html), [teksi](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/teks.html), [gimnazio](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/gimnaz.html), [gimnastiko](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/gimnas1.html), [magazeno](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/magaze.html), [magazino](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/magazin.html), [romano](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/roman.html), [Romo, roma, romano](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/rom.html), [Romio, romiano](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/romi.html), [korto](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/kort.html), [tribunalo](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/tribun1.html), [tabulo](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/tabul.html), [tablo](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/tabl.html), [kampo](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/kamp.html), [tendo](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/tend.html), [hazardo](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/hazard.html), [danĝero](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/dangxe.html), [risko](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/risk.html), [infano](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/infan.html), [bebo](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/beb.html), [bileto](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/bilet.html), [kalkulo](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/kalkul.html), [fakturo](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/faktur.html), [benzino](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/benzin.html), [benzeno](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/benzen.html), [pasto](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/past.html), [nudelo](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/nudel.html), [sorto](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/sort.html), [speco](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/spec.html), [atenco](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/atenc.html), [atento](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/atent.html), [vesto](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/vest.html), [veŝto](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/vesxt.html)
- ReVo, verbs: [atendi](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/atend.html), [esti (ĉeesti)](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/est.html), [resti](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/rest.html), [ripozi](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/ripoz.html), [demandi](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/demand.html), [postuli](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/postul.html), [kontroli](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/kontro.html), [regi](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/reg.html), [stiri](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/stir.html), [konkuri](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/konkur.html), [konsenti](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/konsen.html), [ĉasi](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/cxas.html), [kuri (postkuri)](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/kur.html)
- ReVo, partial overlaps: [aktuala](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/aktual.html), [simpatio](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/simpat.html), [kompati](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/kompat.html), [komuna](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/komun.html), [ordinara](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/ordina.html), [ofico](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/ofic.html), [kolegio](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/kolegi.html), [lerni (altlernejo, lernanto)](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/lern.html), [universitato](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/univer2.html), [studento](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/studen.html), [glaso](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/glas.html), [vitro](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/vitr.html), [argumento](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/argume.html), [kverelo](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/kverel.html), [disputo](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/disput.html), [frazo](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/fraz.html), [vortgrupo](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/grup.html), [ĵurnalo](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/jxurna.html), [taglibro](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/libr.html), [revuo](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/revu.html), [recenzo](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/recenz.html), [kontesti](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/kontes.html), [konkurso](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/konkur2.html), [oferi](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/ofer.html), [oferti](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/ofert.html), [proponi](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/propon.html), [pretendi](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/preten.html), [ŝajni (ŝajnigi)](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/sxajn.html), [ekspedi](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/eksped.html), [rapida (rapidigi)](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/rapid.html), [rezigni](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/rezign.html), [eksiĝi](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/eks.html), [demisii](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/demisi.html)
- ReVo, safe look-alikes: [ekzameno](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/ekzame.html), [preciza](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/preciz.html), [sensacio](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/sensac1.html), [prudenta](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/pruden.html)
- PMEG, [Frazoj kaj frazpartoj](https://bertilow.com/pmeg/gramatiko/superrigardo/frazoj_frazpartoj.html) (CC BY-SA 4.0)
- English Wiktionary, Esperanto etymologies of [demandi](https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/demandi#Esperanto), [larĝa](https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/lar%C4%9Da#Esperanto), [ĉasi](https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/%C4%89asi#Esperanto), [fiera](https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/fiera#Esperanto) and [gimnazio](https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/gimnazio#Esperanto) (CC BY-SA)