What it's NOT
deputy does NOT translate to diputado.
To say "diputado" in English, use congressman / representative.
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False cognate · False friend
deputy
Does NOT mean diputado
It means a second-in-command / assistant
Written by Bryan López, English teacher · Updated
What it IS
deputy means a second-in-command / assistant.
Why it's confused
Spanish "diputado" is an elected representative in parliament or a legislature. English "deputy" is someone's second-in-command or assistant, like a deputy sheriff. It doesn't mean a lawmaker.
How it's pronounced
deputyDÉ-piu-ti
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Examples of correct use
English
The deputy sheriff arrived.
Spanish
Llegó el subcomisario.
English
She's the deputy director.
Spanish
Es la subdirectora.
A trick to remember it
Deputy = second-in-command/assistant. A member of congress (Spanish "diputado") = congressman.
Mini quiz
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Frequently asked questions
What does "deputy" mean in English?
"Deputy" means "a second-in-command / assistant". It looks a lot like "diputado", which is exactly why it gets confused, but they don't mean the same thing.
How do you say "diputado" in English?
To say "diputado" in English, use "congressman / representative". If you use "deputy" instead, you would actually be saying "a second-in-command / assistant".
Do "deputy" and "diputado" mean the same thing?
Spanish "diputado" is an elected representative in parliament or a legislature. English "deputy" is someone's second-in-command or assistant, like a deputy sheriff. It doesn't mean a lawmaker.
Other confusing false friends
More confusing false friends
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