What it's NOT
expedient does NOT translate to expediente.
To say "expediente" in English, use file / record.
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False cognate · False friend
expedient
Does NOT mean expediente
It means convenient / advantageous
Written by Bryan López, English teacher · Updated
What it IS
expedient means convenient / advantageous.
Why it's confused
Spanish "expediente" is a set of documents or an archived administrative case. English "expedient" is something convenient or practical for achieving a goal, even if not the most ethical option.
How it's pronounced
expedienteks-PÍ-dient
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Examples of correct use
English
It was an expedient solution.
Spanish
Fue una solución conveniente.
English
They chose the most expedient route.
Spanish
Eligieron la ruta más práctica.
A trick to remember it
Expedient = convenient/advantageous. A file/folder (Spanish "expediente") = file/record.
Mini quiz
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Frequently asked questions
What does "expedient" mean in English?
"Expedient" means "convenient / advantageous". It looks a lot like "expediente", which is exactly why it gets confused, but they don't mean the same thing.
How do you say "expediente" in English?
To say "expediente" in English, use "file / record". If you use "expedient" instead, you would actually be saying "convenient / advantageous".
Do "expedient" and "expediente" mean the same thing?
Spanish "expediente" is a set of documents or an archived administrative case. English "expedient" is something convenient or practical for achieving a goal, even if not the most ethical option.
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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