What it's NOT
scenario does NOT translate to escenario.
To say "escenario" in English, use stage.
ESEN
False cognate · False friend
scenario
Does NOT mean escenario
It means a hypothetical situation
Written by Bryan López, English teacher · Updated
What it IS
scenario means a hypothetical situation.
Why it's confused
Spanish "escenario" is the physical stage of a theater or the general context of a situation. English "scenario" is a hypothetical scenario or a possible situation being analyzed. The hypothetical use is much more common in English.
How it's pronounced
scenariosi-NÁ-rio
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Examples of correct use
English
Imagine a worst-case scenario.
Spanish
Imagina el peor de los casos.
English
In that scenario, we lose.
Spanish
En esa situación, perdemos.
A trick to remember it
Scenario = a hypothetical situation. A theater stage (Spanish "escenario") = stage.
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Frequently asked questions
What does "scenario" mean in English?
"Scenario" means "a hypothetical situation". It looks a lot like "escenario", which is exactly why it gets confused, but they don't mean the same thing.
How do you say "escenario" in English?
To say "escenario" in English, use "stage". If you use "scenario" instead, you would actually be saying "a hypothetical situation".
Do "scenario" and "escenario" mean the same thing?
Spanish "escenario" is the physical stage of a theater or the general context of a situation. English "scenario" is a hypothetical scenario or a possible situation being analyzed. The hypothetical use is much more common in English.
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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