What it's NOT
cipher does NOT translate to cifra.
To say "cifra" in English, use number / figure.
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False cognate · False friend
cipher
Does NOT mean cifra
It means a secret code / encryption system
Written by Bryan López, English teacher · Updated
What it IS
cipher means a secret code / encryption system.
Why it's confused
Spanish "cifra" is a number, a numeric code, or an amount of money. English "cipher" is a secret coding or encryption system. It can also figuratively mean someone unimportant or without influence.
How it's pronounced
cipherSÁI-fer
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Examples of correct use
English
The message was written in cipher.
Spanish
El mensaje estaba escrito en clave.
English
They cracked the cipher.
Spanish
Descifraron el código.
A trick to remember it
Cipher = a secret code/encryption system. A number (Spanish "cifra") = number/figure.
Mini quiz
"A secret cipher" is...
Frequently asked questions
What does "cipher" mean in English?
"Cipher" means "a secret code / encryption system". It looks a lot like "cifra", which is exactly why it gets confused, but they don't mean the same thing.
How do you say "cifra" in English?
To say "cifra" in English, use "number / figure". If you use "cipher" instead, you would actually be saying "a secret code / encryption system".
Do "cipher" and "cifra" mean the same thing?
Spanish "cifra" is a number, a numeric code, or an amount of money. English "cipher" is a secret coding or encryption system. It can also figuratively mean someone unimportant or without influence.
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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