What it's NOT
spectacles does NOT translate to espectáculos.
To say "espectáculos" in English, use shows.
ESEN
False cognate · False friend
spectacles
Does NOT mean espectáculos
It means eyeglasses
Written by Bryan López, English teacher · Updated
What it IS
spectacles means eyeglasses.
Why it's confused
Spanish "espectáculo" is a show, event, or public exhibition. English "spectacles" are the eyeglasses you wear to see. A show in English is "show" or "spectacle" in the singular.
How it's pronounced
spectaclesSPÉK-ta-kls
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Examples of correct use
English
He cleaned his spectacles.
Spanish
Limpió sus lentes.
English
She wears spectacles for reading.
Spanish
Usa gafas para leer.
A trick to remember it
Spectacles = eyeglasses. Shows/events (Spanish "espectáculos") = shows.
Mini quiz
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Frequently asked questions
What does "spectacles" mean in English?
"Spectacles" means "eyeglasses". It looks a lot like "espectáculos", which is exactly why it gets confused, but they don't mean the same thing.
How do you say "espectáculos" in English?
To say "espectáculos" in English, use "shows". If you use "spectacles" instead, you would actually be saying "eyeglasses".
Do "spectacles" and "espectáculos" mean the same thing?
Spanish "espectáculo" is a show, event, or public exhibition. English "spectacles" are the eyeglasses you wear to see. A show in English is "show" or "spectacle" in the singular.
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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