What it's NOT
prospect does NOT translate to prospecto (folleto).
To say "prospecto (folleto)" in English, use leaflet / insert.
ESEN
False cognate · False friend
prospect
Does NOT mean prospecto (folleto)
It means a future possibility / a potential customer
Written by Bryan López, English teacher · Updated
What it IS
prospect means a future possibility / a potential customer.
Why it's confused
Spanish "prospecto" is the informational leaflet for a medication or a company. English "prospect" is a future possibility or a potential customer. A leaflet in English is "brochure" or "leaflet."
How it's pronounced
prospectPRÓS-pect
Tap the button to hear the real pronunciation.
Examples of correct use
English
The prospect of winning excited her.
Spanish
La posibilidad de ganar la emocionó.
English
He's a promising sales prospect.
Spanish
Es un cliente potencial prometedor.
A trick to remember it
Prospect = a future possibility (or a potential customer). A leaflet (Spanish "prospecto") = leaflet.
Mini quiz
"The prospect of a raise" is...
Frequently asked questions
What does "prospect" mean in English?
"Prospect" means "a future possibility / a potential customer". It looks a lot like "prospecto", which is exactly why it gets confused, but they don't mean the same thing.
How do you say "prospecto" in English?
To say "prospecto" in English, use "leaflet / insert". If you use "prospect" instead, you would actually be saying "a future possibility / a potential customer".
Do "prospect" and "prospecto" mean the same thing?
Spanish "prospecto" is the informational leaflet for a medication or a company. English "prospect" is a future possibility or a potential customer. A leaflet in English is "brochure" or "leaflet."
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