What it's NOT
stationery does NOT translate to estacionario.
To say "estacionario" in English, use stationary (quieto).
ESEN
False cognate · False friend
stationery
Does NOT mean estacionario
It means office/writing supplies
Written by Bryan López, English teacher · Updated
What it IS
stationery means office/writing supplies.
Why it's confused
Spanish "estacionamiento" sounds similar but is a different word. English "stationery" is writing and office supplies: paper, envelopes, pens. A parking lot in English is "parking lot" or "parking."
How it's pronounced
stationerySTÉI-sho-ne-ri
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Examples of correct use
English
She bought new stationery.
Spanish
Compró artículos de papelería nuevos.
English
Use the office stationery.
Spanish
Usa la papelería de la oficina.
A trick to remember it
Stationery (with an "e") = office supplies. Stationary (with an "a") = still/motionless.
Mini quiz
"A stationery store" is a store selling...
Frequently asked questions
What does "stationery" mean in English?
"Stationery" means "office/writing supplies". It looks a lot like "estacionario", which is exactly why it gets confused, but they don't mean the same thing.
How do you say "estacionario" in English?
To say "estacionario" in English, use "stationary (quieto)". If you use "stationery" instead, you would actually be saying "office/writing supplies".
Do "stationery" and "estacionario" mean the same thing?
Spanish "estacionamiento" sounds similar but is a different word. English "stationery" is writing and office supplies: paper, envelopes, pens. A parking lot in English is "parking lot" or "parking."
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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