What it's NOT
diversion does NOT translate to diversión.
To say "diversión" in English, use fun / entertainment.
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False cognate · False friend
diversion
Does NOT mean diversión
It means a detour / distraction
Written by Bryan López, English teacher · Updated
What it IS
diversion means a detour / distraction.
Why it's confused
Spanish "diversión" is entertainment and the joy of having a good time. English "diversion" is a distraction or a detour, something that pulls attention away from the main goal.
How it's pronounced
diversiondi-VÉR-shon
Tap the button to hear the real pronunciation.
Examples of correct use
English
There's a diversion on the highway.
Spanish
Hay un desvío en la autopista.
English
The noise was a diversion.
Spanish
El ruido fue una distracción.
A trick to remember it
Diversion = a detour/distraction. Having fun (Spanish "diversión") = fun.
Mini quiz
"A road diversion" is...
Frequently asked questions
What does "diversion" mean in English?
"Diversion" means "a detour / distraction". It looks a lot like "diversión", which is exactly why it gets confused, but they don't mean the same thing.
How do you say "diversión" in English?
To say "diversión" in English, use "fun / entertainment". If you use "diversion" instead, you would actually be saying "a detour / distraction".
Do "diversion" and "diversión" mean the same thing?
Spanish "diversión" is entertainment and the joy of having a good time. English "diversion" is a distraction or a detour, something that pulls attention away from the main goal.
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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