What it's NOT
candid does NOT translate to cándido.
To say "cándido" in English, use naive.
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False cognate · False friend
candid
Does NOT mean cándido
It means frank / straightforward
Written by Bryan López, English teacher · Updated
What it IS
candid means frank / straightforward.
Why it's confused
Spanish "cándido" describes someone naive, innocent, or easily fooled. English "candid" means direct, honest, and straightforward. It's not naivety, it's deliberate, conscious sincerity.
How it's pronounced
candidCÁN-did
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Examples of correct use
English
She gave a candid answer.
Spanish
Dio una respuesta franca.
English
Let me be candid with you.
Spanish
Déjame ser sincero contigo.
A trick to remember it
Candid = frank/straightforward. Naive (Spanish "cándido") = naive.
Mini quiz
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Frequently asked questions
What does "candid" mean in English?
"Candid" means "frank / straightforward". It looks a lot like "cándido", which is exactly why it gets confused, but they don't mean the same thing.
How do you say "cándido" in English?
To say "cándido" in English, use "naive". If you use "candid" instead, you would actually be saying "frank / straightforward".
Do "candid" and "cándido" mean the same thing?
Spanish "cándido" describes someone naive, innocent, or easily fooled. English "candid" means direct, honest, and straightforward. It's not naivety, it's deliberate, conscious sincerity.
Other confusing false friends
More confusing false friends
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