False Friends in Italian: Words That Trick English Speakers

False friends are Italian words that look like English but mean something different, and a few of them are genuinely embarrassing. The classic example: camera means room, not camera; burro is butter, not a donkey; and preservativo is definitely not something you want to order at the bar.

Here are the traps that trick English speakers, and how to avoid them.

The Classic False Friends

The Embarrassing Ones (Learn These First)

A few false friends are not just confusing; they are rude. Know these before you travel:

• preservativo → condom (not “preservative”);
• fica / cazzo → vulgar words that sound innocuous to English ears;
• penne → “pens” (the pasta is fine to say, but don’t ask for penne when you mean pens!);
• salsiccia → a sausage, not what you think;
• pappa → baby food or an informal meal.

The golden rule: if a word seems to mean something too good to be true, double-check it.

What ‘Camera’ Really Means

This one deserves its own section because it causes the most everyday confusion:

• Camera = a room, especially a bedroom: camera da letto;
• Camera d’albergo = a hotel room;
• A photo/video camera = macchina fotografica or fotocamera;
• Camera a gas = gas chamber (yes, that literal!).

When a waiter asks “Camera o sala?” they are asking about seating, not photography.

How to Stop Getting Tripped Up

1. Learn the top 30 deliberately: a small list covers most real-world traps;
2. Question anything that looks too familiar: that is the definition of a false friend;
3. Meet words in context: seeing parenti in a real sentence fixes it faster than any list;
4. When unsure, ask: Italians love that you care about precision.

My English-Italian false friends guide covers the topic in full detail, and my conversation lessons are a safe place to trip over them, then learn.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are false friends in Italian?
Words that look like English but mean something different: camera (room), parenti (relatives), burro (butter).

What are the most embarrassing false friends?
Preservativo, fica, cazzo, and confusing penne (pens) with pens. Know these before travelling.

What does ‘camera’ mean in Italian?
Room, usually a bedroom. A photo camera is macchina fotografica or fotocamera.

How can I avoid false friends?
Learn the top traps deliberately and question any word that looks too familiar.

What does ’libreria’ actually mean?
Bookshop. The library is biblioteca.