What it's NOT
plain does NOT translate to plano.
To say "plano" in English, use flat.
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False cognate · False friend
plain
Does NOT mean plano
It means simple / unadorned
Written by Bryan López, English teacher · Updated
What it IS
plain means simple / unadorned.
Why it's confused
Spanish "plano" is a map or something flat. English "plain" is a wide geographic flatland, or something simple and unadorned. A map in English is "map" or "floor plan."
How it's pronounced
plainPLÉIN
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Examples of correct use
English
I prefer plain yogurt.
Spanish
Prefiero el yogur natural.
English
She wore a plain dress.
Spanish
Llevaba un vestido sencillo.
A trick to remember it
Plain = simple/unadorned. Flat (Spanish "plano") = flat.
Mini quiz
"Plain yogurt" is yogurt that is...
Frequently asked questions
What does "plain" mean in English?
"Plain" means "simple / unadorned". It looks a lot like "plano", which is exactly why it gets confused, but they don't mean the same thing.
How do you say "plano" in English?
To say "plano" in English, use "flat". If you use "plain" instead, you would actually be saying "simple / unadorned".
Do "plain" and "plano" mean the same thing?
Spanish "plano" is a map or something flat. English "plain" is a wide geographic flatland, or something simple and unadorned. A map in English is "map" or "floor plan."
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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