What it's NOT
marmalade does NOT translate to mermelada (cualquiera).
To say "mermelada (cualquiera)" in English, use jam (otras frutas).
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False cognate · False friend
marmalade
Does NOT mean mermelada (cualquiera)
It means citrus fruit preserve
Written by Bryan López, English teacher · Updated
What it IS
marmalade means citrus fruit preserve.
Why it's confused
Spanish "mermelada" is any sweet fruit preserve. English "marmalade" is specifically the citrus preserve, especially bitter orange. Strawberry preserve in English is "jam" or "preserve."
How it's pronounced
marmaladeMÁR-ma-leid
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Examples of correct use
English
Orange marmalade on toast.
Spanish
Mermelada de naranja en el pan tostado.
English
She prefers marmalade to jam.
Spanish
Prefiere la mermelada de naranja a la de otras frutas.
A trick to remember it
Marmalade = citrus preserve. Other-fruit preserve (Spanish "mermelada") = jam.
Mini quiz
"Orange marmalade" is...
Frequently asked questions
What does "marmalade" mean in English?
"Marmalade" means "citrus fruit preserve". It looks a lot like "mermelada", which is exactly why it gets confused, but they don't mean the same thing.
How do you say "mermelada" in English?
To say "mermelada" in English, use "jam (otras frutas)". If you use "marmalade" instead, you would actually be saying "citrus fruit preserve".
Do "marmalade" and "mermelada" mean the same thing?
Spanish "mermelada" is any sweet fruit preserve. English "marmalade" is specifically the citrus preserve, especially bitter orange. Strawberry preserve in English is "jam" or "preserve."
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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