Words The Same In Spanish And English

Learning words the same in Spanish and English is a great way to build confidence in language learning. These shared words, known as “cognates,” make vocabulary acquisition easier and faster because they look and often sound similar in both languages. Many of these words come from Latin or Greek roots, creating common ground between English and Spanish speakers.

In addition to making learning easier, these shared words help bridge cultural and linguistic gaps. Common vocabulary can help people connect more quickly, as words like “chocolate,” “idea,” and “color” are understood in both languages without translation.

Words in Spanish that are like English (perfect cognates)

Here are 20 perfect cognates words that look and mean the same in both English and Spanish:

• Actor
• Animal
• Chocolate
• Color
• Doctor
• Hospital
• Idea
• Material
• Natural
• Radio
• Hotel
• Personal
• Popular
• Regular
• Central
• Final
• Normal
• Legal
• Social
• Tropical

These words share spelling and meaning, making them easy to recognize and remember for learners of both languages.

Words in English that Originated from Spanish 

Here are 15 English words that originated from Spanish:

• Patio – from patio, meaning a courtyard or open space.
• Cafeteria – from cafetería, meaning coffee shop.
• Tornado – from tronada, meaning thunderstorm.
• Canyon – from cañón, meaning a deep valley or gorge.
• Ranch – from rancho, meaning a farm or rural estate.
• Mosquito – meaning “little fly” in Spanish.
• Plaza – from plaza, meaning a public square or marketplace.
• Banana – from banana in Spanish, which likely originated from African languages.
• Alligator – from el lagarto, meaning “the lizard.”
• Savvy – from saber, meaning “to know.”
• Cargo – from cargar, meaning “to load.”
• Siesta – from siesta, meaning an afternoon nap or rest.
• Barbecue – from barbacoa, originally referring to a method of slow cooking meat.
• Guerilla – from guerra, meaning “war.”
• Fiesta – from fiesta, meaning a party or celebration.

These words showcase the Spanish influence on English, especially in regions where both cultures historically interacted.

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Watch out for the false cognates such as… 

Here are 15 false cognates—words that look similar in Spanish and English but have different meanings:

• Embarazada – Looks like “embarrassed,” but means “pregnant.”
• Ropa – Looks like “rope,” but means “clothes.”
• Éxito – Looks like “exit,” but means “success.”
• Librería – Looks like “library,” but means “bookstore.”
• Sopa – Looks like “soap,” but means “soup.”
• Realizar – Looks like “realize,” but means “to achieve” or “carry out.”
• Carpeta – Looks like “carpet,” but means “folder.”
• Asistir – Looks like “assist,” but means “to attend.”
• Actualmente – Looks like “actually,” but means “currently.”
• Fábrica – Looks like “fabric,” but means “factory.”
• Mayor – Looks like “major,” but means “older” or “greater.“
• Pretender – Looks like “pretend,” but means “to intend.”
• Molestar – Looks like “molest,” but means “to bother.“
• Constipado – Looks like “constipated,” but means “to have a cold.”
• Despertarse – Looks like “desperate,” but means “to wake up.”

These false cognates can easily lead to misunderstandings, so it’s important to double-check meanings in context.

100 Words That Are Identical in Spanish and English

There are many words in Spanish and English that are identical, making them easy for language learners to recognize and remember. Known as perfect cognates, these words look and mean the same in both languages, which can simplify vocabulary acquisition. Examples include words like hotel, animal, color, doctor, and hospital, all of which retain similar meanings across both languages. 

Perfect cognates exist in various fields such as science (atom, oxygen), art (art, music), and everyday life (radio, television). These shared terms reflect historical interactions and cultural exchanges that shaped both languages. For Spanish and English learners alike, mastering these identical words can be a quick win, helping build confidence and cross-linguistic understanding.

Words ending in ‘or’

Here are 22 words ending in “or” that are commonly used in both English and Spanish, often with similar meanings:

• Actor
• Doctor
• Color
• Motor
• Director
• Inspector
• Editor
• Mentor
• Professor
• Senator
• Conductor
• Governor
• Creator
• Pastor
• Competitor
• Ambassador
• Author
• Administrator
• Inventor
• Dictator
• Calculator
• Instructor

These words highlight how Spanish and English share many terms, particularly when it comes to roles, professions, and titles.

Words ending in ‘al’

Here are 65 words ending in “al” that are used in both English and Spanish, often with similar meanings:

• Animal
• Natural
• Local
• Hospital
• Total
• Social
• Cultural
• Personal
• Original
• General
• Formal
• Informal
• Material
• Ideal
• Principal
• Global
• Digital
• Visual
• Special
• Festival
• Universal
• Manual
• Normal
• Legal
• Real
• Final
• Mental
• Moral
• Verbal
• Musical
• Vocal
• Sensational
• Judicial
• Functional
• Technical
• Medicinal
• Commercial
• Fundamental
• Seasonal
• Minimal
• Ritual
• Terminal
• Elemental
• Practical
• Theoretical
• Structural
• Continental
• Regional
• Racial
• Superficial
• Essential
• National
• Unusual
• Tropical
• Industrial
• Experimental
• Emotional
• Professional
• Logical
• Critical
• Radical
• Horizontal
• Vertical
• Symbolical
• Astronomical

These words are commonly used across both languages and cover a wide range of topics, from professions and characteristics to scientific and cultural terms.

Words ending in ‘ble’

Here are 25 words ending in “ble” that are similar in both English and Spanish, often with comparable meanings:

• Possible
• Incredible
• Visible
• Flexible
• Accessible
• Compatible
• Comfortable
• Responsible
• Portable
• Variable
• Stable
• Terrible
• Capable
• Impossible
• Predictable
• Sensible
• Horrible
• Inevitable
• Reliable
• Adorable
• Valuable
• Edible
• Noble
• Affordable
• Notable

These words often describe qualities or states and are widely used across both languages, reflecting a shared vocabulary in practical and descriptive terms.

FAQs

What are similar words in Spanish and English?

Similar words in Spanish and English, known as cognates, often share the same roots and meanings. Examples include “animal,” “hospital,” and “natural.” These similarities make it easier for speakers of one language to learn the other.

What words are spelled the same in Spanish and English?

Words that are spelled the same in both languages include “animal,” “hotel,” “sandal,” and “cereal.” Despite their identical spelling, pronunciation may vary.

What are 10 cognates in Spanish and English?

Here are ten common cognates:

• Actual (current)
• Eventual (possible)
• Fabric (fabric)
• Doctor (doctor)
• Original (original)
• Popular (popular)
• Simple (simple)
• Similar (similar)
• Formal (formal)
• Social (social)

What is similar between Spanish and English?

Spanish and English share many similarities, including vocabulary derived from Latin and a significant number of cognates. Both languages also follow similar grammatical structures, such as the use of nouns, verbs, and adjectives, although there are notable differences in conjugation and gendered nouns. 

Conclusion

In summary, English and Spanish share many words with similar endings, like “al,” “or,” and “ble,” which make it easier for speakers of one language to recognize and understand words in the other. These shared terms often retain similar meanings, especially in categories like professions, descriptions, and qualities. 

This overlap reflects the close linguistic ties and shared Latin roots between the two languages. Recognizing these words can enhance vocabulary and comprehension, especially for language learners. The more we explore these cognates, the easier it becomes to bridge communication between English and Spanish speakers.