What it's NOT
carpet does NOT translate to carpeta.
To say "carpeta" in English, use folder.
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False cognate · False friend
carpet
Does NOT mean carpeta
It means a rug that covers the floor
Written by Bryan López, English teacher · Updated
What it IS
carpet means a rug that covers the floor.
Why it's confused
Spanish "carpeta" is a document folder or file organizer. English "carpet" is the rug that covers a room's floor. A document folder in English is "folder" or "binder."
How it's pronounced
carpetKÁR-pet
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Examples of correct use
English
They have a soft red carpet in the living room.
Spanish
Tienen una alfombra roja y suave en la sala.
English
Take off your shoes, the carpet is new.
Spanish
Quítate los zapatos, la alfombra es nueva.
A trick to remember it
Carpet goes on the floor (a rug). A document folder is "folder."
Mini quiz
What do you walk on at home?
Frequently asked questions
What does "carpet" mean in English?
"Carpet" means "a rug that covers the floor". It looks a lot like "carpeta", which is exactly why it gets confused, but they don't mean the same thing.
How do you say "carpeta" in English?
To say "carpeta" in English, use "folder". If you use "carpet" instead, you would actually be saying "a rug that covers the floor".
Do "carpet" and "carpeta" mean the same thing?
Spanish "carpeta" is a document folder or file organizer. English "carpet" is the rug that covers a room's floor. A document folder in English is "folder" or "binder."
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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