What it's NOT
introduce does NOT translate to introducir.
To say "introducir" in English, use to insert / to put in.
ESEN
False cognate · False friend
introduce
Does NOT mean introducir
It means to present someone to another person
Written by Bryan López, English teacher · Updated
What it IS
introduce means to present someone to another person.
Why it's confused
The Latin root "introducere" meant to bring something inward. Spanish "introducir" kept that physical sense of inserting something somewhere. English "introduce" took the social sense of presenting one person to another.
How it's pronounced
introducein-tro-DIÚS
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Examples of correct use
English
Let me introduce you to my boss.
Spanish
Déjame presentarte a mi jefe.
English
She introduced herself to the class.
Spanish
Ella se presentó ante la clase.
A trick to remember it
Introduce = to present people to each other. To insert something (Spanish "introducir") = insert/put in.
Mini quiz
"Introduce me to her" means...
Frequently asked questions
What does "introduce" mean in English?
"Introduce" means "to present someone to another person". It looks a lot like "introducir", which is exactly why it gets confused, but they don't mean the same thing.
How do you say "introducir" in English?
To say "introducir" in English, use "to insert / to put in". If you use "introduce" instead, you would actually be saying "to present someone to another person".
Do "introduce" and "introducir" mean the same thing?
The Latin root "introducere" meant to bring something inward. Spanish "introducir" kept that physical sense of inserting something somewhere. English "introduce" took the social sense of presenting one person to another.
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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