What it's NOT
librarian does NOT translate to librero (vendedor).
To say "librero (vendedor)" in English, use bookseller.
ESEN
False cognate · False friend
librarian
Does NOT mean librero (vendedor)
It means the person who works at a library
Written by Bryan López, English teacher · Updated
What it IS
librarian means the person who works at a library.
Why it's confused
Spanish "librero" can be someone who sells books or the bookshelf where they're kept. English "librarian" is the professional who works at a public library lending books. A bookseller in English is "bookseller."
How it's pronounced
librarianlai-BRÉ-rian
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Examples of correct use
English
Ask the librarian for help.
Spanish
Pídele ayuda al bibliotecario.
English
She works as a librarian.
Spanish
Trabaja como bibliotecaria.
A trick to remember it
Librarian = the person who works at a library. A bookseller (Spanish "librero") = bookseller.
Mini quiz
"The librarian" is...
Frequently asked questions
What does "librarian" mean in English?
"Librarian" means "the person who works at a library". It looks a lot like "librero", which is exactly why it gets confused, but they don't mean the same thing.
How do you say "librero" in English?
To say "librero" in English, use "bookseller". If you use "librarian" instead, you would actually be saying "the person who works at a library".
Do "librarian" and "librero" mean the same thing?
Spanish "librero" can be someone who sells books or the bookshelf where they're kept. English "librarian" is the professional who works at a public library lending books. A bookseller in English is "bookseller."
Other confusing false friends
More confusing false friends
Library, embarrassed, actually... the full list of words that look the same but mean something different.
Publicidad