What it's NOT
notorious does NOT translate to notorio.
To say "notorio" in English, use well-known / evident.
ESEN
False cognate · False friend
notorious
Does NOT mean notorio
It means famous for something bad
Written by Bryan López, English teacher · Updated
What it IS
notorious means famous for something bad.
Why it's confused
Spanish "notorio" can mean something well-known or evident, without a necessarily negative connotation. English "notorious" has a negative connotation: famous for something bad or shameful. Spanish "notorio" in a neutral sense is "well-known" in English.
How it's pronounced
notoriousno-TÓ-rius
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Examples of correct use
English
He's a notorious criminal.
Spanish
Es un criminal de mala fama.
English
The area is notorious for crime.
Spanish
La zona es famosa por la delincuencia.
A trick to remember it
Notorious = famous for something bad. Evident/well-known (Spanish "notorio") = obvious/well-known.
Mini quiz
"A notorious gangster" is a gangster who is...
Frequently asked questions
What does "notorious" mean in English?
"Notorious" means "famous for something bad". It looks a lot like "notorio", which is exactly why it gets confused, but they don't mean the same thing.
How do you say "notorio" in English?
To say "notorio" in English, use "well-known / evident". If you use "notorious" instead, you would actually be saying "famous for something bad".
Do "notorious" and "notorio" mean the same thing?
Spanish "notorio" can mean something well-known or evident, without a necessarily negative connotation. English "notorious" has a negative connotation: famous for something bad or shameful. Spanish "notorio" in a neutral sense is "well-known" in English.
Other confusing false friends
More confusing false friends
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