What it's NOT
camp does NOT translate to campo.
To say "campo" in English, use field / countryside.
ESEN
False cognate · False friend
camp
Does NOT mean campo
It means a campsite / campground
Written by Bryan López, English teacher · Updated
What it IS
camp means a campsite / campground.
Why it's confused
"Campo" and "camp" share the Latin root "campus." Spanish "campo" is rural land or a sports field. English "camp" took on the specific sense of a temporary campsite, especially summer camp or a military camp.
How it's pronounced
campCAMP
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Examples of correct use
English
We set up camp by the lake.
Spanish
Montamos el campamento junto al lago.
English
The kids went to summer camp.
Spanish
Los niños fueron a un campamento de verano.
A trick to remember it
Camp = a campsite. A field (Spanish "campo") = field; countryside = countryside.
Mini quiz
"Summer camp" is...
Frequently asked questions
What does "camp" mean in English?
"Camp" means "a campsite / campground". It looks a lot like "campo", which is exactly why it gets confused, but they don't mean the same thing.
How do you say "campo" in English?
To say "campo" in English, use "field / countryside". If you use "camp" instead, you would actually be saying "a campsite / campground".
Do "camp" and "campo" mean the same thing?
"Campo" and "camp" share the Latin root "campus." Spanish "campo" is rural land or a sports field. English "camp" took on the specific sense of a temporary campsite, especially summer camp or a military camp.
Other confusing false friends
More confusing false friends
Library, embarrassed, actually... the full list of words that look the same but mean something different.
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