What it's NOT
extravagant does NOT translate to extravagante.
To say "extravagante" in English, use eccentric.
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False cognate · False friend
extravagant
Does NOT mean extravagante
It means wasteful with money / excessive
Written by Bryan López, English teacher · Updated
What it IS
extravagant means wasteful with money / excessive.
Why it's confused
Spanish "extravagante" refers more to something eccentric, flashy, or odd in form. English "extravagant" mainly focuses on excessive spending or financial waste.
How it's pronounced
extravaganteks-TRÁ-va-gant
Tap the button to hear the real pronunciation.
Examples of correct use
English
He has an extravagant lifestyle.
Spanish
Tiene un estilo de vida derrochador.
English
An extravagant gift.
Spanish
Un regalo excesivamente caro.
A trick to remember it
Extravagant = wasteful/excessive spending. Odd or flashy (Spanish "extravagante") = eccentric.
Mini quiz
"Extravagant spending" is spending that is...
Frequently asked questions
What does "extravagant" mean in English?
"Extravagant" means "wasteful with money / excessive". It looks a lot like "extravagante", which is exactly why it gets confused, but they don't mean the same thing.
How do you say "extravagante" in English?
To say "extravagante" in English, use "eccentric". If you use "extravagant" instead, you would actually be saying "wasteful with money / excessive".
Do "extravagant" and "extravagante" mean the same thing?
Spanish "extravagante" refers more to something eccentric, flashy, or odd in form. English "extravagant" mainly focuses on excessive spending or financial waste.
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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