What it's NOT
remove does NOT translate to remover.
To say "remover" in English, use to stir.
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False cognate · False friend
remove
Does NOT mean remover
It means to take away / eliminate
Written by Bryan López, English teacher · Updated
What it IS
remove means to take away / eliminate.
Why it's confused
Spanish "remover" is to stir or mix something, like stirring coffee or a sauce. English "remove" is to take something away or eliminate it from a place. To stir in English is "stir."
How it's pronounced
removeri-MÚV
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Examples of correct use
English
Please remove your hat.
Spanish
Por favor quítate el sombrero.
English
Remove the old paint first.
Spanish
Quita la pintura vieja primero.
A trick to remember it
Remove = to take away/eliminate. To stir (Spanish "remover") = stir.
Mini quiz
"Remove it" means...
Frequently asked questions
What does "remove" mean in English?
"Remove" means "to take away / eliminate". It looks a lot like "remover", which is exactly why it gets confused, but they don't mean the same thing.
How do you say "remover" in English?
To say "remover" in English, use "to stir". If you use "remove" instead, you would actually be saying "to take away / eliminate".
Do "remove" and "remover" mean the same thing?
Spanish "remover" is to stir or mix something, like stirring coffee or a sauce. English "remove" is to take something away or eliminate it from a place. To stir in English is "stir."
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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