What it's NOT
collar does NOT translate to collar (joya).
To say "collar (joya)" in English, use necklace.
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False cognate · False friend
collar
Does NOT mean collar (joya)
It means a shirt collar / a dog collar
Written by Bryan López, English teacher · Updated
What it IS
collar means a shirt collar / a dog collar.
Why it's confused
Spanish "collar" is the piece of jewelry worn around the neck. English "collar" is the part of a shirt around the neck, or the strap around a pet's neck. Jewelry in English is "necklace."
How it's pronounced
collarCÁ-lar
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Examples of correct use
English
His shirt collar was too tight.
Spanish
El cuello de su camisa estaba muy apretado.
English
The dog's collar is red.
Spanish
El collar del perro es rojo.
A trick to remember it
Collar = shirt collar or dog collar. Jewelry (Spanish "collar") = necklace.
Mini quiz
"Shirt collar" is...
Frequently asked questions
What does "collar" mean in English?
"Collar" means "a shirt collar / a dog collar". It looks a lot like "collar", which is exactly why it gets confused, but they don't mean the same thing.
How do you say "collar" in English?
To say "collar" in English, use "necklace". If you use "collar" instead, you would actually be saying "a shirt collar / a dog collar".
Do "collar" and "collar" mean the same thing?
Spanish "collar" is the piece of jewelry worn around the neck. English "collar" is the part of a shirt around the neck, or the strap around a pet's neck. Jewelry in English is "necklace."
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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