What it's NOT
regular does NOT translate to regular (más o menos).
To say "regular (más o menos)" in English, use average / so-so.
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False cognate · False friend
regular
Does NOT mean regular (más o menos)
It means standard / usual
Written by Bryan López, English teacher · Updated
What it IS
regular means standard / usual.
Why it's confused
Spanish "regular" colloquially means "so-so," neither good nor bad. English "regular" is something standard, usual, or occurring with regularity, with no implied judgment of quality.
How it's pronounced
regularRÉ-guiu-lar
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Examples of correct use
English
I'll have a regular coffee.
Spanish
Quiero un café normal.
English
He's a regular customer.
Spanish
Es un cliente habitual.
A trick to remember it
Regular (English) = standard/usual. So-so (Spanish "regular") = average/so-so.
Mini quiz
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Frequently asked questions
What does "regular" mean in English?
"Regular" means "standard / usual". It looks a lot like "regular", which is exactly why it gets confused, but they don't mean the same thing.
How do you say "regular" in English?
To say "regular" in English, use "average / so-so". If you use "regular" instead, you would actually be saying "standard / usual".
Do "regular" and "regular" mean the same thing?
Spanish "regular" colloquially means "so-so," neither good nor bad. English "regular" is something standard, usual, or occurring with regularity, with no implied judgment of quality.
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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