What it's NOT
convene does NOT translate to convenir.
To say "convenir" in English, use to suit / to agree.
ESEN
False cognate · False friend
convene
Does NOT mean convenir
It means to formally gather a group of people
Written by Bryan López, English teacher · Updated
What it IS
convene means to formally gather a group of people.
Why it's confused
Spanish "convenir" means to agree on something or to be suitable. English "convene" means to formally call together or gather a group of people. Spanish "convenir" in the sense of agreeing is "agree" in English.
How it's pronounced
convenecon-VÍN
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Examples of correct use
English
The committee will convene tomorrow.
Spanish
El comité se reunirá mañana.
English
They convened an emergency meeting.
Spanish
Convocaron una reunión de emergencia.
A trick to remember it
Convene = to formally gather people. To be suitable (Spanish "convenir") = to suit.
Mini quiz
"Convene a meeting" means...
Frequently asked questions
What does "convene" mean in English?
"Convene" means "to formally gather a group of people". It looks a lot like "convenir", which is exactly why it gets confused, but they don't mean the same thing.
How do you say "convenir" in English?
To say "convenir" in English, use "to suit / to agree". If you use "convene" instead, you would actually be saying "to formally gather a group of people".
Do "convene" and "convenir" mean the same thing?
Spanish "convenir" means to agree on something or to be suitable. English "convene" means to formally call together or gather a group of people. Spanish "convenir" in the sense of agreeing is "agree" in English.
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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